Claim for Refund of Costs Recovered for Excess Weight of Household Goods

An employee submitted a claim for a refund of costs recovered for excess weight of household goods shipped in connection with a change of official station. Federal Travel Regulations specify a maximum weight allowance and provide that an employee is responsible for excess weight. The law does not permit payment by the Government of charges incurred incident to shipment of excess weight. GAO has regularly held that the question of the extent authorized weights have been exceeded by a shipment of household goods is an administrative determination, not to be questioned in the absence of evidence showing it to be clearly in error. The evidence submitted by the employee did not clearly show the shipment weight in question to be in error. GAO held that the voucher for refund of charges for excess weight may not be certified for payment.