Claim for Reimbursement of Money Collected for Excess Costs Incurred in Shipment of Household Goods

A Chief Warrant Officer requested reconsideration of a Claims Division denial of his claim for reimbursement of the money collected from him for excess costs incurred in the shipment of his household goods incident to a permanent change of station. He was authorized to ship his household goods at Government expense, but upon presenting his household effects for shipment he was informed that he exceeded his weight allowances and that he needed approval to ship excess goods. While the approval form showed his estimated excess weight to be nearly 2,000 pounds, it was recommended that he only be granted an exception for about one-tenth of that amount, based on the weight of certain listed items. When the officer's household goods arrived at the new duty station, he was informed that he was indebted to the Army for the additional costs incurred in shipping his goods. The officer contended that he should not be responsible for these costs as he was under the impression that all the additional weight requested was approved, and the transportation officer shipped his goods immediately without any questions. A member who receives a permanent change of station order is entitled to transport his household effects at Government expense within the prescribed weight allowances. A member must bear all transportation charges for weights in excess of the maximum prescribed allowance. Excess weight charges may not be waived. The member should have questioned the transportation officer as to his liability for the additional weight being shipped. The Government cannot be bound by errors purportedly made by its agents and employees. Payment of the claim could not be authorized.