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Like other areas in life, if you plan well, the shipping process will tend to go more smoothly. First gather as much information as you can about the proposed shipment.
What you are shipping
Freight — government properties or records and more than 150 lbs
Household Goods — personal effects of government employees or their dependents
Amount of cargo
Know the size and weight of shipment
Know if it qualifies as a small parcel
is less than 150 lbs for domestic
is less than 300 lbs for international
meets the TSP’s size restrictions and
is not shipped on a pallet
Origin and destination
Pick-up and delivery
Facility hours
Facility requirements for access
Time-definite delivery
Consider the speed of the mode
Special characteristics
Note whether the cargo has any of the following characteristics requiring special steps to ensure it is shipped properly.
Classified — cargo that is deemed to be sensitive in nature
Temperature sensitive — cargo must be shipped within a temperature range
Valuables — cargo consists of articles or things or representatives of value. See regulations below
Artifacts or museum pieces
Bulk shipments — cargo is shipped in large quantities and is not packaged (e.g. grains, oil, etc.)
Perishables — cargo that is easily spoiled or has a short shelf life
Hazardous materials — referred to as HAZMAT for domestic shipments or dangerous goods for international
International — cargo with a destination or origin outside the United States (may include U.S. territories)
Traveler reimbursement is based on the location of the work activities and not the accommodations,
unless lodging is not available at the work activity, then the agency may authorize the rate where
lodging is obtained.
Unless otherwise specified, the per diem locality is defined as "all locations within, or entirely
surrounded by, the corporate limits of the key city, including independent entities located within
those boundaries."
Per diem localities with county definitions shall include"all locations within, or entirely
surrounded by, the corporate limits of the key city as well as the boundaries of the listed counties,
including independent entities located within the boundaries of the key city and the listed counties
(unless otherwise listed separately)."
When a military installation or Government - related facility(whether or not specifically named) is
located partially within more than one city or county boundary, the applicable per diem rate for the
entire installation or facility is the higher of the rates which apply to the cities and / or counties,
even though part(s) of such activities may be located outside the defined per diem locality.
U.S. General Services Administration