[Claim Concerning Household Goods Shipping Expenses]

An Air Force employee appealed a Claims Group decision which upheld the Air Force's assessment of overcharges against the employee for the transportation of household goods in excess of his lawful weight limitation when he was officially transferred. The employee contended that his actions were founded on erroneous guidance he received from responsible Air Force travel officials, and his indebtedness resulted from the erroneous authorization he received. Since he envisioned that the costs of recouping this indebtedness will far exceed the debt itself, he requested that the debt be waived. GAO found that the weight limitation applicable to the employee's household goods shipment was statutory, and no government agency or employee has the authority to permit transportation of household goods in excess of the weight limitation. Therefore, the government is not permitted to pay charges incurred incident to the shipment of excess weight. Furthermore, an agency's erroneous actions may not serve as the basis for establishing a valid reimbursement entitlement. Therefore, the recovery of this debt is required, and no legal authority exists upon which the employee's debt may be waived. Accordingly, the Claims Group's decision was affirmed.