Yes. U.S. POV import standards are set by such agencies as the EPA and Department of Homeland Security. Please see “Shipping Your POV” on the SDDC Website.
Civilian Employee: An eligible civilian employee may ship only one POV between OCONUS PDSs when it is in the Government's interest for the civilian employee to have a POV at the new PDS (JTR, pars. 053609, 054704 and 054713). POV storage for civilian employees is authorized only in connection with an evacuation (JTR, par. 060405) and when a civilian employee is TDY for an operational deployment or contingency operation (JTR, par. 032905).
Service Member: An eligible Service member ordered PCS between OCONUS PDSs, whose POV is in storage in CONUS, can leave the POV in storage or ship the POV from storage to the new OCONUS PDS (JTR, pars. 053001 and 0532).
Civilian Employee: A POV shipment may be authorized for a newly recruited civilian employee when in the Government's interest for the new civilian employee to have a POV at the new OCONUS PDS (JTR, pars. 054705 and 054801). POV shipment is not authorized for a newly recruited civilian employee from OCONUS (e.g., Puerto Rico) to CONUS (JTR, Table 5-97).
Service Member: POV shipment may be authorized for a newly inducted Service member if Service regulations permit POV shipment (JTR, par. 050701-C2)..
Civilian Employee: You may not ship a POV under ERD unless the Agency or Service determines it is in the Government's interest (see Table 5-97). ERD is an early return of dependent(s) prior to PDT, TCS or separation travel from the OCONUS PDS by the civilian employee.
Service Member: You may ship a POV under ERD, but you are not authorized a POV shipment later on a PCS if a POV is shipped under an ERD order (JTR pars. 053301 and 053302). ERD is an early return of dependent(s) prior to issuance of a PCS order to the Service member.
Civilian Employee: The Government is obligated to return the POV to the CONUS if the civilian employee completes the tour of duty prescribed in the service agreement. If the civilian employee fails to complete the tour of duty in the service agreement, the Government is not obligated to return the POV to the CONUS (JTR, pars. 054714, 054715, and 054716).
Service Member: The Government is obligated to return to the POV to the CONUS, if approved by the Agency or Service Secretarial Process for an eligible Service member. Subsequent authorization rule applies for the POV initially shipped OCONUS at Government expense (JTR, par. 053001).
Expenses incurred before a travel order is issued are not reimbursable, unless an unusual or urgent situation arises in which travel must begin before a written authorization or order can be issued. In this case a verbal authorization may be given, but must be followed up in writing (called a “confirmatory order”) before allowances are paid (JTR, par. 010206).
Civilian Employee: POV transportation expenses are the civilian employee's financial responsibility if there is not a signed service agreement (JTR, par. 053701).
Service Member: POV transportation expenses are the Service member's financial responsibility if the requirements in section 0530-B8 are not met.
