Essential Steps

PCS to Germany: Essential Steps, What Not to Ship, and How to Use Unaccompanied Baggage (UB)

If you’re starting orders for a PCS to Germany, it’s easy to get overwhelmed deciding what to ship in Household Goods (HHG), what to send in Unaccompanied Baggage (UB), and what to leave behind. Germany is an OCONUS assignment with different electrical standards, smaller housing, and specific shipping rules, so a smart, military-focused plan can save you weight, money, and stress.

Your first stop after receiving orders should be your local Transportation Office (TMO/Personal Property Office). They will confirm your authorized weight for HHG and UB and walk you through official guidance from the Joint Travel Regulations (JTR) and MOVE.mil.

For Ramstein and the Kaiserslautern Military Community (KMC), bookmark the official base fact sheets. They explain shipping timelines, what government furniture and appliances you can expect, and what unaccompanied baggage is designed to cover.

Essential Step 1: Know What Not to Ship to Germany

Military guidance and Germany-specific PCS guides are very clear: do not waste weight on items that will be provided for you or that don’t make sense in German housing.

Skip the big U.S. appliances

You should not ship:

  • Refrigerator
  • Washer and dryer
  • Stove/oven
  • Microwave (unless your gaining installation specifically says to bring one)

Ramstein’s “Preparing Your Household Goods” fact sheet explains that government quarters and off-base rentals supported by the Furnishings Management Office (FMO) come with major appliances for your entire tour at no cost. Shipping U.S.-standard appliances only eats up HHG weight and usually results in those items sitting in storage.

Rethink oversized and backyard items

Most PCS guides recommend selling or storing:

  • Large playsets and swing sets
  • Above-ground pools
  • Massive grills and bulky patio sets

German homes and yards are smaller, and many communities have restrictions on big backyard structures. PCS guides and garrison newcomer packets frequently flag these as “do not ship” or “not recommended.” Always check your gaining installation’s official PCS guide to confirm what’s allowed in that specific area.

Be careful with 110-volt appliances

Germany uses 230 volts at 50 Hz and different plug types, while most U.S. appliances are designed for 120 volts at 60 Hz. Ramstein’s HHG and UB fact sheets specifically tell you to verify voltage and plug compatibility before shipping electronics.

In practice, that means you usually should NOT ship:

  • 120-volt-only coffee makers, toasters, and older “dumb” kitchen appliances
  • 120-volt shop gear and large power tools that would need heavy transformers every day

YouTube: “Power to the People: How to Use Your U.S. Electronics Safely in Europe” – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KcstC_FsFto

This video walks through why plug adapters only change the prong shape, why some appliances still need a true voltage converter or transformer, and how to check if your device is dual-voltage.

Essential Step 2: Understand Unaccompanied Baggage (UB)

Unaccompanied baggage (UB) is an express, air-freight shipment designed to get a limited set of essentials to you faster than your full HHG shipment. It is not just extra luggage; it’s a separate shipment with its own weight limit under the JTR.

According to Ramstein’s official fact sheets:

  • UB usually arrives about 35–60 days after shipment.
  • HHG often takes 60–70 days from shipment to delivery.
  • UB should be limited to items you need to live and work while you wait for HHG.

Official reference: Ramstein – Unaccompanied Baggage
https://www.ramstein.af.mil/About/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/303682/unaccompanied-baggage

For a detailed, military-family walkthrough of UB, HHG, and personal luggage together, you can also share:

Essential Step 3: What to Pack in Unaccompanied Baggage

Think of UB as your first-wave setup for the first 30–60 days in Germany. Ramstein, PCSgrades, and several military spouse resources all align around the same UB categories.

Helpful guides you can reference:

Common UB items:

  • Linens and basic household items
    Sheets, blankets, pillows, and towels for each bed you plan to use immediately, since loaner furniture doesn’t come with linens.
  • Limited kitchen and cleaning setup
    A basic cookware set, a few dishes and utensils, and starter cleaning supplies so you can cook and clean without waiting on HHG.
  • Clothing and uniforms
    Civilian clothes for the current and upcoming season, plus essential duty uniforms and gear. Many guides recommend at least one full set of every required uniform in UB.
  • Kids’ and baby essentials
    Crib or pack-and-play, stroller, a small selection of toys and books, and school basics. Baby sleep gear and kid “comfort” items are consistently recommended for UB.
  • Basic tools and small entertainment
    A small toolbox for furniture assembly and minor fixes. A small TV, game console, or streaming device can also make sense, as long as you understand the voltage and region coding.

For a realistic UB example with photos and a full list, see: Overseas PCS – Unaccompanied Baggage aka Express Shipment.

Essential Step 4: Personal Luggage vs UB vs HHG

One of the most useful things you can do for your PCS plan is to clearly separate what belongs in personal luggage, UB, and HHG.

  • Personal luggage (accompanied baggage)
    What it is: Checked and carry-on bags on the plane with you.
    What goes in it: Passports, PCS orders, medications, essential documents, a few days of clothes, chargers, and anything you absolutely cannot afford to lose or delay.
  • Unaccompanied baggage (UB)
    What it is: Smaller, faster air shipment that arrives before HHG and covers your first weeks in Germany.
    What goes in it: Linens, basic kitchen gear, uniforms, seasonal clothes, kid essentials, and a small set of tools and entertainment.
  • Household Goods (HHG)
    What it is: The bulk of your belongings, shipped by surface and arriving later.
    What goes in it: Primary furniture, approved appliances, décor, books, and anything not already in luggage or UB that makes sense for German housing and power.

For a full PCS-to-Germany checklist and timing, you can also share: A Military PCS: How to Prepare and Pack for HHG, UB & NTS.