Receiving Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders for Camp Humphreys, Osan Air Base, or Kunsan can feel like a sprint. Add a privately owned vehicle (POV) to the move, and the sprint turns into a logistics marathon—unless you have a clear plan and a battle-tested partner.
One POV at no cost via the official Vehicle Processing Center (VPC) contract—turn-in at a U.S. VPC and pick-up at the Pyongtaek VPC near Camp Humphreys.
Storage in lieu of shipment if you leave your car stateside and buy local wheels.
Return transport when you PCS out of Korea.
Second cars, motorcycles, trailers, or project builds.
Late VPC turn-in (beyond 30- or 90-day windows, service-specific).
Upgrades such as enclosed pickup, door delivery, or rapid air freight.
Port charges for POVs shipped outside the DoD contract.
| Option | Transit Time | Cost Range (USD) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared 40-ft Container | 20–30 days | 3,500–5,200 | Budget PCS, two POVs, extra parts |
| Dedicated 20-ft Container | 18–28 days | 5,500–6,800 | High-value classics, flexible sail date |
| Roll-On/Roll-Off (RoRo) | 16–25 days | 3,000–4,200 | Running vehicles, minimal extras |
| Air Freight | 4–8 days | 12,000–18,000 | Tight report-by dates, show cars |
Plan early and container service fits most PCS timelines at one-third of air cost.
Shared containers let you pair two POVs with a buddy and slash per-car ocean fees.
Air freight is your lifeline when orders shift last minute or family situations compress the schedule.
| Week | Milestone | Action Steps |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | Receive PCS Orders | Email orders to West Coast Shipping for route mapping |
| 1 | Book VPC & WCS Pickup | Choose DoD carrier for first POV; schedule private shipment for extras |
| 2 | Prep Documents | Title, lien letter, EPA 3520-1 (Box 7 PCS), DOT HS-7 (Code C), power of attorney |
| 3 | Vehicle Prep & Pickup | On-base pickup or deliver to VPC/Oakland yard; condition photos uploaded to the online portal |
| 4 | Container Loading | Fuel ¼ tank, battery disconnected, soft-strap tie-down |
| 5 | Vessel Departure | Weekly Oakland → Busan or Pyeongtaek sailing; tracking link sent |
| 8–10 | Port Arrival | Customs clearance, Korea Vehicle Inspection (KVI) scheduling |
| 9–11 | On-Base Delivery | Enclosed truck to Camp Humphreys, Osan, or Kunsan |
Gather originals or notarized copies
PCS orders authorizing POV shipment
Title or lienholder permission letter
Power of attorney granting West Coast Shipping export authority
EPA 3520-1 (Box 7 for PCS exemption)
DOT HS-7 (Code C for non-resident military)
Military ID copy for customs duty waiver
Proof of Korean Compulsory Coverage quote (needed for registration)
Templates and how-to guides appear in Documents You Need to Ship an Auction Car—identical forms apply to PCS POVs.
Steam-clean undercarriage—Korean customs rejects soil or vegetation.
Remove personal items except factory jack, spare, and OEM tools.
Set tire pressure to factory spec for container stacking safety.
Disconnect aftermarket alarms to avoid battery drain.
Fuel below ¼ tank; no jerry cans or fluids in trunk.
Provide two keys plus wheel-lock adapter taped to steering wheel.
Photographic documentation by West Coast Shipping captures pre-load condition for full transparency.
The photo workflow mirrors our Auction to Your Door process.
First POV shipped under PCS orders clears duty-free with SOFA status.
Additional POVs pay 8% VAT and 7% duty on CIF value.
West Coast Shipping’s Busan partner pre-files entries to cut clearance waits.
Mandatory for emissions, noise, lighting, and safety.
Vehicles older than six years may need extra emissions testing.
Modifications (lift kits, aftermarket exhaust) often require reverting to stock.
Obtain USFK Form 134EK from the Vehicle Registration Office.
Present customs release, title, and proof of Korean liability coverage.
Receive decals and Korean tags valid for the duration of your tour.
2020 Jeep Wrangler | Fort Hood pickup → Oakland yard → Busan → Camp Humphreys
| Line Item | USD |
|---|---|
| Enclosed truck TX → CA | 950 |
| Shared container ocean freight | 3,900 |
| U.S. port & docs | 520 |
| Korean clearance & handling | 610 |
| Final base delivery | 460 |
| Total | $6,440 |
Add ₩70,000–₩120,000 for compulsory liability coverage and ₩30,000 for KVI inspection.
Share a Container – Pair with another service member; each saves up to $1,000 on ocean freight.
Ship Off-Peak – Fall sailings avoid summer PCS premiums and port congestion.
Group Pickups – West Coast Shipping runs monthly on-base pickups at Camp Pendleton, JBLM, and Fort Liberty, saving $150–$250 in inland fees.
Use SOFA Duty Waiver – Ensure customs officer stamps duty-free paperwork for your first POV.
Verify Mod Rules Early – Stock height and exhaust equal smoother KVI; avoid costly port-lot reversions.
Yes. It passes KVI if headlights are adjusted for Korean traffic patterns.
Begin 60 days before your report date. This locks the best container slots and avoids expedited fees.
Secure a lienholder letter authorizing export and Korean registration; most lenders respond within 10 days.
Service members typically drive on a stateside license for 30 days; then obtain a USFK driver’s permit on base.
Yes. We offer door delivery anywhere on the peninsula for added convenience.
Oakland headquarters near Travis AFB for rapid POV drop-off and weekly Pacific sailings.
Military-ready paperwork team—SOFA duty waivers, EPA/DOT forms, and KVI prep.
Real-time tracking and photo milestones in our secure portal.
On-base pickups and peninsula-wide delivery—skip port errands.
Consolidation expertise—share containers, cut costs, keep timelines.
Dive deeper on Pacific routes at our Asia shipping hub (many tips apply to Korea as well).
Ready to move your POV across the Pacific? Click below for a transparent, all-inclusive rate—then let West Coast Shipping deliver your vehicle from your driveway to Korean roads, safely and on schedule.