FOREST SERVICE
Foreign Transfer,
Return Rights, and
Overseas Tour Renewal
Allowances
This Desk Guide provides information
for Transfers to all Foreign Areas.
Prepared and maintained by the
ASC B&F Travel Branch - TOS
and International Programs
RELEASED: November 29, 2013
UPDATED: November 29, 2013
TABLE OF CONTENTS
FOREIGN TRANSFER BENEFITS
IMPORTANT TRANSFER OF STATION INFORMATION ............................................................................................. 3
HELPFUL FOREIGN TRAVEL INFORMATION............................................................................................................. 3
DEFINITION OF FOREIGN TRAVEL............................................................................................................... 3
APPLICABLE REGULATIONS ........................................................................................................................ 3
EMPLOYEE ELIGIBILITY FOR TRANSFER-OF-STATION .............................................................................................. 4
FTR §302-1.1 Who is Eligible for Relocation Expense Allowances Under This Chapter? ........................... 4
FTR §302-1.2 Who is Not Eligible For Relocation Expense Allowances Under This Chapter? ................... 4
RELOCATION ALLOWANCE BY TYPE OF APPOINTMENT ......................................................................................... 5
FTR §302-3.1 Who is a new appointee?..................................................................................................... 5
FTR §302-3.100 What is a transferred employee? .................................................................................... 6
EXPLANATION OF ALLOWANCES ............................................................................................................................. 7
OVERSEAS TOUR RENEWAL TRAVEL (OTRAT) Allowances ...................................................................................... 9
FS-INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS (ip) SPONSORED .................................................................................................. 9
FOREIGN TRANSFER BENEFITS GUIDE CONTACTS ................................................................................................ 10
Updated: November 29, 2013
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FOREIGN TRANSFER BENEFITS
IMPORTANT TRANSFER OF STATION INFORMATION
The intent of this guide is to give you an overview of your foreign transfer allowances. You will be working
closely with a counselor from the Albuquerque Service Center, Budget and Finance (ASC B&F) Travel Branch.
Your counselor will go over these allowances during your counseling session and will provide you with
guidance based on the current Federal, Agricultural, and Department of State travel regulations.
Do not incur any expenses until you have a transfer-of-station authorization in place.
Prior to your counseling session, please complete an Individuals Request for a Transfer of Station Authorization
(FS-6500-0140) to the best of your ability and send it to ASC_TOS@fs.fed.us . This draft version will be
reviewed with you and your counselor prior to finalization. Once the ASC B&F Travel Branch, Transfer of
Station (TOS) staff receives your confirmation of appointment letter from Human Resources and the DRAFT FS6500-0140 from you, a TOS counselor will be assigned and you will be contacted to initiate your travel
authorization.
HELPFUL FOREIGN TRAVEL INFORMATION
DEFINITION OF FOREIGN TRAVEL
The Federal Travel Regulations define what is considered to be a Foreign Area under FTR 300 - Glossary.
1. Foreign area (see also non-foreign area)—Any area, including the Trust Territories of the Pacific
Islands, situated both outside CONUS and the non-foreign areas.
2. Non-foreign area—The States of Alaska and Hawaii, the Commonwealths of Puerto Rico, Guam and
the Northern Mariana Islands and the territories and possessions of the United States (excludes the
former Trust Territories of the Pacific Islands).
APPLICABLE REGULATIONS

Federal Travel Regulations (FTR) Chapters 300-General, and 302 Relocation Allowances
http://www.gsa.gov/portal/ext/public/site/FTR/file/FTR302TOC.html/category/21869/hostUri/portal

Agricultural Travel Regulations (ATR)
http://www.ocio.usda.gov/directives/doc/DR2300-002.htm

Department of State Regulations (DSSR)
http://aoprals.state.gov/content.asp?content_id=231&menu_id=92
Updated: November 29, 2013
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FOREIGN TRANSFER BENEFITS
EMPLOYEE ELIGIBILITY FOR TRANSFER-OF-STATION
FTR §302-1.1 WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR RELOCATION EXPENSE ALLOWANCES UNDER THIS
CHAPTER?
You are generally eligible for relocation expense allowances under this chapter if you are:
(a) A new appointee appointed to your first official station (as discussed in this chapter);
(b) An employee transferring in the interest of the Government from one agency or duty station to
another for permanent duty, and your new duty station is at least 50 miles distant from your old duty
station (see FTR§302-2.6 of this chapter);
(c) An employee of the United States Postal Service transferred for permanent duty, under 39 U.S.C. 1006,
from the Postal Service to an agency as defined in 5 U.S.C. 5721;
(d) An employee performing travel in accordance with your overseas tour renewal agreement (see FTR
§302-3.209 through §302-3.224 of this chapter);
(e) An employee returning to his/her place of residence after completion of a prescribed tour of duty for
the purposes of separation from Government service or separation from the overseas assignment for
reassignment to the same or different Government agency;
(f) A student trainee assigned to any position upon completion of college work;
(g) An employee eligible for a “last move home” benefit upon separation from the Government (and your
immediate family in the event of your death prior to separation or after separation but prior to
relocating);
(h) A Department of Defense overseas dependents school system teacher;
(i) A career appointee to the Senior Executive Service (SES) as defined in 5 U.S.C. 3132(a)(4), and a prior
SES appointee who is returning to your official residence for separation and who will be retaining SES
retirement benefits; or
(j) An employee that is being assigned to a temporary duty station in connection with long-term
assignment.
FTR §302-1.2 WHO IS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR RELOCATION EXPENSE ALLOWANCES UNDER
THIS CHAPTER?
You are not eligible to receive relocation expense allowances under this chapter if you are:
(a) A Foreign Service Officer or a Federal employee transferred under the rules of the Foreign Service Act
of 1980, as amended;
(b) An officer or an employee transferred under the Central Intelligence Act of 1949, as amended;
(c) A person whose pay and allowances are prescribed under title 37 U.S.C., “Pay and Allowances of the
Uniformed Services;”
(d) An employee of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to whom 38 U.S.C. 235 applies; or
(e) A person not covered in §302-1.1.
Updated: November 29, 2013
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FOREIGN TRANSFER BENEFITS
RELOCATION ALLOWANCE BY TYPE OF APPOINTMENT
FTR §302-3.1 WHO IS A NEW APPOINTEE?
A new appointee is:
(a) An individual who is employed with the Federal Government for the very first time (including an
individual who has performed transition activities under section 3 of the Presidential Transition Act of
1963 (3 U.S.C. 102 note), and is appointed in the same fiscal year as the Presidential inauguration);
(b) An employee who is returning to the Government after a break in service (except an employee
separated as a result of reduction in force or transfer of functions and is re-employed within one year
after such action); or
(c) A student trainee assigned to the Government upon completion of his/her college work.
TABLE B: ASSIGNED TO FIRST OFFICIAL STATION OUTSIDE THE CONTINENTAL
UNITED STATES (OCONUS)
Column 1—
Relocation allowances that agency must pay or reimburse
Column 2—
Relocation allowances that agency has discretionary authority to
pay or reimburse
(1) Transportation of employee & immediate family member(s)
(Part 302-4 of this chapter).
(2) Per diem employee only (Part 302-4).
(1) Shipment of privately owned vehicle (POV) (Part 302-9 of this
chapter).
(2) Temporary quarters subsistence expense (TQSE) is not authorized
in a foreign area, however, you may be entitled to the following
under the Department of State Standardized Regulations
(Government Civilians-Foreign Areas) which is available from the
Superintendent of Documents, Washington, DC 20402.
(a) Foreign Transfer Allowance (FTA) (Subsistence Expense) for
quarters occupied temporarily before departure from the 50
states or the District of Columbia for an official station in a
foreign area incident to a permanent change of station and travel to
first official station overseas.
(b) Temporary quarters subsistence allowance (TQSA) when a
transfer is authorized to a foreign area.
(c) The miscellaneous expense portion of the FTA is authorized
incident to first official station travel to a foreign area.
(3) Use of relocation service companies only when transfer is to
Alaska or Hawaii (Part 302-12 of this chapter).
(4) Home marketing incentives only when transfer is to a non-foreign
OCONUS area (Part 302-15 of this chapter).
(3) Transportation & temporary storage of household goods
(Part 302-7 of this chapter).
(4) Extended storage of household goods (Part 302-8 of this
chapter).
Updated: November 29, 2013
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FOREIGN TRANSFER BENEFITS
FTR §302-3.100 WHAT IS A TRANSFERRED EMPLOYEE?
A transferred employee is an employee who transfers from one official station to another. This may also
include employees separated as a result of reduction in force or transfer of functions who are re-employed
within one year after such separation.
TABLE B: TRANSFER FROM CONUS TO AN OFFICIAL STATION OUTSIDE THE CONTINENTAL UNITED STATES (OCONUS)
Column 1—
Relocation allowances that agency must pay or reimburse
Column 2—
Relocation allowances that agency has discretionary authority to
pay or reimburse
(1) Transportation & per diem for employee & immediate family
member(s) (Part 302-4 of this chapter).
(1) Temporary quarters subsistence expense (TQSE) is not authorized
in a foreign area, however, you may be entitled to the following
under the Department of State Standardized Regulations (DSSR)
(Government Civilians-Foreign Areas):
(a) A Foreign Transfer Allowance (FTA) for quarters occupied
temporarily before departure from the 50 states or the District
of Columbia for an official station in a foreign area incident to a
permanent change of station and travel to first official station
overseas.
(b) Temporary quarters subsistence allowance (TQSA).
(2) Property management services (Part 302-15 of this chapter).
(3) Shipment of a privately owned vehicle (Part 302-9 of this chapter).
(2) Miscellaneous expense allowance (Part 302-16 of this chapter).
(3) Transportation & temporary storage of household goods
(Part 302-7 of this chapter).
(4) Extended storage of household goods (Part 302-8 of this chapter). (4) Use of relocation service companies when transfer is to Alaska or
Hawaii (Part 302-12 of this chapter).
(5) Relocation income tax allowance (RITA) (Part 302-17 of this
(5) Home marketing incentives when transfer is to Alaska or Hawaii
chapter).1
(Part 302-15 of this chapter).
1
Note to Column 1, Item 5: Allowed when old and new official stations are located in the United States. Also allowed when
instead of being returned to the former non-foreign area official station, an employee is transferred in the interest of the
Government to a different non-foreign area official station than from the official station from which transferred when assigned to the
foreign official station.
TABLE C: TRANSFER FROM OCONUS OFFICIAL STATION TO AN OFFICIAL STATION IN CONUS
Column 1—
Relocation allowances that agency must pay or reimburse
Column 2—
Relocation allowances that agency has discretionary authority to
pay or reimburse
(1) Transportation & per diem for employee & immediate family
(1) Shipment of a privately owned vehicle (Part 302-9 of this chapter).
member(s) (Part 302-4 of this chapter).
(2) Temporary quarters subsistence expense (TQSE) (Part 302-6 of
this chapter). 1
(3) Miscellaneous expense allowance (Part 302-16 of this chapter).
(4) Sell & buy residence transaction expenses or lease termination
expenses (Part 302-11 of this chapter).2
(5) Transportation & temporary storage of household goods
(Part 302-7 of this chapter).
(6) Extended storage of household goods only when assigned to a
designated isolated official station in CONUS (Part 302-8 of this
chapter).
(7) Relocation income tax allowance (RITA) (Part 302-17 of this
chapter).
1
Note to Column 1, Item 2: A TQSA under the DSSR may be authorized preceding final departure subsequent to the necessary
vacating of residence quarters.
2 Note to Column 1, Item 4: Allowed when old and new official stations are located in the United States. Also allowed when
instead of being returned to the former non-foreign area official station, an employee is transferred in the interest of the
Government to a different
non-foreign area official station than from the official station from which transferred when assigned to the foreign official station.
Updated: November 29, 2013
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FOREIGN TRANSFER BENEFITS
TABLE D: TRANSFER BETWEEN OCONUS OFFICIAL STATIONS
Column 1—
Relocation allowances that agency must pay or reimburse
Column 2—
Relocation allowances that agency has discretionary authority to
pay or reimburse
(1) Transportation & per diem for employee & immediate family
(1) Shipment of a privately owned vehicle (POV) (Part 302-9 of this
member(s) (Part 302-4 of this chapter).
chapter).
(2) Temporary quarters subsistence expense (TQSE) (Part 302-6 of (2) Property management services (Part 302-15 of this chapter).
this chapter). 1
(3) Transportation & temporary storage of household goods
(Part 302-7 of this chapter).
(4) Miscellaneous expense allowance (Part 302-16 of this chapter).
(5) Extended storage of household goods (Part 302-8 of this chapter).
(6) Relocation income tax allowance (RITA (Part 302-17 of this
chapter).
1
Note to Column 1, Item 2: TQSA may be authorized under the DSSR.
TABLE F: RETURN FROM OCONUS OFFICIAL STATION TO PLACE OF ACTUAL RESIDENCE FOR SEPARATION
Column 1—
Relocation allowances that agency must pay or reimburse
Column 2—
Relocation allowances that agency has discretionary authority to
pay or reimburse
(1) Transportation for employee & immediate family member(s)
(Part 302-4 of this chapter).
(2) Per diem for employee only (Part 302-4 of this chapter).
(3) Transportation & temporary storage of household goods
(Part 302-7 of this chapter).
(1) Shipment of a privately owned vehicle (POV) (Part 302-9 of this
chapter).
EXPLANATION OF ALLOWANCES
 Transportation of employee and immediate family members must be completed by utilizing a common
carrier that is considered to be the most advantageous to the government. (usually by airline).
 Per diem for employee and/or immediate family will be reimbursed only if travel exceeds 12 hours. If
a layover is required, you will be reimbursed per diem for the foreign locality in which you spend the
night. If the layover is within the lower 48 contiguous states, you will only be reimbursed the standard
CONUS rate.
 Miscellaneous Expense Allowance reimbursement –As of October 1, 2012, you will receive:
 $650 for employee only; if itemized, the aggregate amount cannot exceed one week’s basic
gross pay
 $1,300 for employee with dependents; if itemized, the aggregate amount cannot exceed two
weeks’ basic gross pay
 Transportation and temporary storage of household goods is allowed.
 If provided furnished housing at your new foreign duty location, you are entitled to move a
maximum of 7,200 pounds overseas (this includes your unaccompanied baggage). Items
remaining at your old duty station can be placed in permanent storage (extended storage)
until you return. You will be limited to 18000 lbs. between the goods moved overseas
(including your unaccompanied baggage) and the goods that are placed in permanent storage.
 If no furnished housing is provided, you are entitled to move up to 18,000 pounds of
household goods. You may be entitled to permanent storage (extended storage) stateside
Updated: November 29, 2013
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FOREIGN TRANSFER BENEFITS
until you return from your post of duty. You will be limited to 18000 lbs. between the goods
that are moved overseas (including your unaccompanied baggage) and the goods that are
placed in permanent storage. Please consult with your TOS Counselor.
 When you return from an OCONUS location your weight allowance will be limited to the
amount that was initially shipped overseas.
 Unaccompanied Air Baggage (UAB) shipment is allowed when transferring from a CONUS location to
an OCONUS location, between OCONUS locations, or from and OCONUS location to a CONUS location.
 UAB is part of, not in addition to, the 18,000 pounds weight allowance for HHG.
 The maximum weight allowance for UAB is up to 350 pounds actual weight (including the
weight of luggage and/or packing material) for the employee and each family member 12
years of age and older; or up to 175 pounds actual weight (including the weight of luggage
and/or packing material) for each immediate family member under 12 years of age. (This
weight is determined by the Federal Travel Regulations 302-7.302.)
 When you return from an OCONUS location your weight allowance will be limited to the
amount that was initially shipped overseas. See FTR 302-7-17.
 Relocation Income Tax Allowance (RITA) – Some reimbursements are subject to a withholding tax
allowance because the reimbursement was considered taxable income. You are required to submit a
RITA claim for the year that such monies were reimbursed. (i.e., property management services and
storage beyond the initial 30 days).
 Foreign Transfer Allowance (FTA) is a pre-departure subsistence allowance used for preparation of
your move. The maximum allowance is capped at 10 days. If you are a new appointee and you must
request the miscellaneous allowance portion of FTA. The miscellaneous allowance is reimbursed the
same as miscellaneous expense allowance mentioned above. See Department of State Regulations for
more information.
 Temporary Quarters Subsistence Expenses (TQSE) is an allowance once the transferee arrives at the
foreign duty location. This may only be reimbursed if the permanent quarters are not yet ready for
occupancy. You may be eligible for TQSE before you depart for your new assignment. Please work
with your TOS counselor to determine your needs and allowances.
o If TQSE is required upon arrival, up to 90 days may be authorized while finding permanent
housing.
o If TQSE is necessary before departure, up to 30 days may be authorized.
o For periods beyond those indicated above, an extension may be requested as long as the
situation is for reasons beyond your control. This extension must be approved by the Chief or
his/her designee. Please work closely with your TOS counselor. More information can be
found in the Department of State Regulations.
 Transportation of a Privately Owned Vehicle (POV) may be permitted for one vehicle only and must be
considered advantageous for the government. The type of a POV to be transported is limited to a
passenger automobile, station wagon, light truck or other similar vehicle that will be primarily used for
personal transportation. You cannot transport the following vehicles at government’s expense: a
trailer, airplane, or any vehicle intended for commercial use. The passenger automobile must be
legally titled and in operating order. If a vehicle was shipped initially to a foreign location, you will be
allowed to ship a POV back to the states at the end of your tour. If a POV was not initially shipped, a
return shipment would have to be advantageous to the government and approved by management in
Updated: November 29, 2013
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FOREIGN TRANSFER BENEFITS
advance. Please work with your TOS counselor as there may be other requirements for shipping a POV
back to the states.
 Property Management Services (PMS) may be authorized to cover the expenses associated with the
maintenance and rental of your residence at your place of departure while overseas. If this is
something you want to consider, please discuss this with your TOS counselor. This is usually processed
as a reimbursement and will be taxed. SEE FTR below
302-15.13 What are the income tax consequences when my agency pays for my property
management services?
When your agency pays for your property management services, you will be taxed on the amount of
expenses your agency pays for property management services whether it reimburses you directly or
whether it pays a relocation service company to manage your residence. Your agency must pay you a
relocation income tax (RIT) allowance for the additional Federal, State and local income taxes you
incur on property management expenses it reimburses you or pays on your behalf.
Note to §302-5.13: You may wish to consult with a tax advisor to determine whether you will incur
any additional tax liability, unrelated to your agency’s payment of your property management
expenses, as a result of maintaining your residence as a rental property.
OVERSEAS TOUR RENEWAL TRAVEL (OTRAT) ALLOWANCES
FTR §302-3.209 What is overseas tour renewal travel?
Overseas tour renewal travel refers to travel of you and your immediate family returning to your home in the
continental U. S., Alaska, or Hawaii between overseas tours of duty.
Allowances include the following upon completion of the Tour Renewal Agreement.
TABLE E: TOUR RENEWAL AGREEMENT TRAVEL
Column 1—
Relocation allowances that agency must pay or reimburse
Column 2—
Relocation allowances that agency has
discretionary authority to pay or reimburse
(1) Transportation for employee & immediate family member(s) (Part 302-4 of
this chapter).
(2) Per diem for employee only (Part 302-4 of this chapter).
There are extensive Federal Travel Regulations regarding OTRAT. Please refer to FTR §302-3.209 for more
details. As with any travel, do not make OTRAT arrangements until a travel authorization is completed.
Travel arrangements are made using the Agency’s electronic travel system.
FS-INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS (IP) SPONSORED
FS-IP sponsored travel is travel associated with various foreign assistance programs (i.e., USAID, Department of
State, etc.)
Updated: November 29, 2013
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FOREIGN TRANSFER BENEFITS
FOREIGN TRANSFER BENEFITS GUIDE CONTACTS
The ASC B&F Travel Branch and International Program staffs are jointly responsible for maintaining the
accuracy of this Foreign Transfer Allowances Guide.
Recommendations and changes to this guide should be electronically submitted to:
fs-asc_tos@fs.fed.us, ATTENTION: Travel Branch Chief.
This Desk Guide will be updated, as needed, and upon coordination with the Transfer of Station staff before
publication.
Updated: November 29, 2013
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