What Is Unaccompanied Baggage (UAB) and How to Pack for an OCONUS PCS

One of the most confusing parts of an overseas PCS is figuring out what you'll need before your household goods arrive. While most military families understand the basics of a move - pack your home, hand everything over to the movers, and wait for delivery at your next duty station - an OCONUS move comes with one additional shipment that can make life significantly easier: unaccompanied baggage, commonly known as UAB or UB.

If you're preparing for a PCS outside the continental United States (OCONUS), including assignments to Alaska or Hawaii, you're likely authorized an unaccompanied baggage shipment. This smaller shipment is designed to bridge the gap between your arrival at your new duty station and the delivery of your main household goods.

Unlike your household goods shipment which will be shipped via boat and will take weeks or even months to arrive, UAB is typically flown by plane and delivered much sooner. Most military families are authorized between 500 and 2,000 pounds. The goal is simple: provide the essentials you'll need to live comfortably while waiting for the rest of your belongings.

When PCSing overseas, most military families ship their household goods (HHG) a month or two before departing their current duty station. Your unaccompanied baggage shipment is typically packed much later—often just a week or two before you leave. The timing is ultimately up to you, and you're not required to use your UAB allowance at all. That said, we've found it to be one of the most valuable parts of an OCONUS move.

After nearly 17 years as a military family, we've used unaccompanied baggage during multiple overseas moves. Each time, it's made those first few weeks significantly easier. From kitchen essentials and bedding to school supplies and seasonal clothing, we've learned what items are worth their weight in gold when you're settling into a new home overseas.

If this is your first OCONUS PCS, keep reading. Here's exactly what we pack in our unaccompanied baggage shipment and why these items have earned a permanent spot on our UAB packing list.

Bath & Bed Essentials

When deciding what to pack in unaccompanied baggage shipment, always start with the basics: making sure everyone has a comfortable place to sleep and the essentials needed for daily life.

For bedding, we pack sheets, blankets or comforters, pillows, and inflatable mattresses. Could you buy these items after arriving at your new duty station? Absolutely. But if you already own them, why spend hundreds of dollars replacing items you'll eventually receive when your household goods arrive?

Our family typically packs one twin-sized inflatable mattress for each child and a queen-sized mattress for my husband and me. After a long travel day, having a real place to sleep is infinitely better than spending weeks on the floor, a thin mat, or borrowed furniture.

Towels are another must-have item in our UAB shipment. We pack bath towels, washcloths, and a few dish towels so we're fully functional from day one. Rather than sending our oldest towels, I choose our best ones for UAB and leave the worn-out towels behind to use until moving day. Once we leave our current home, those older towels can be donated or discarded. Considering how quickly towel costs add up for a family of four or more, it's one expense I'd rather avoid after an overseas move.

My kids aren’t little anymore, but every time we’ve utilized UAB, we’ve sent their crib. That little comfort of home makes nap time and bedtime so much easier, even in a sparse apartment In addition to that, I recommend sending boxes of diapers and sending a box in the next size up. If you’re loyal to a brand, sometimes they’re hard to find overseas and knowing that you have some coming gives you peace of mind.

One item that often gets overlooked on a UAB packing list is a lamp. It may seem insignificant, but having even one lamp can make a huge difference during those first few weeks. Whether you're working after the kids have gone to bed, reading, or simply trying to avoid turning on bright overhead lights in an otherwise empty house, a lamp adds a surprising amount of comfort while you're settling into your new home.

Kitchen Essentials

For most military families, the kitchen will likely make up the bulk of an unaccompanied baggage shipment. After all, eating takeout for weeks while waiting for your household goods gets expensive fast.

When deciding what to pack in our UAB, we focus on the items we'll use almost every day. We typically send a large skillet, a medium skillet, a small pot, a medium pot, and a soup pot. Small appliances such as an air fryer, Instant Pot, slow cooker, toaster, or electric griddle can also be great additions if you use them regularly. And don't forget the coffee maker - unless it's earning a coveted spot in your suitcase.

One question that comes up frequently during an OCONUS PCS is whether American appliances will work overseas. If you're living in government housing, your 110V appliances will typically work just fine. If you're assigned to off-post housing, you'll likely need a transformer, which is easy to purchase after arrival and not something I'd dedicate valuable UAB space to. They’re heavy and expensive and you won’t know if you’ll need it until you arrive, plus many realtors (in South Korea) leave a few in each apartment anyway.

For dishes, we keep things simple. We received multiple dish sets when we got married, so one set travels with our household goods while another goes in our UAB shipment. I recommend packing at least one plate, bowl, cup, and set of utensils per family member. Having the basics on hand makes those first few weeks feel much more normal.

I generally skip baking dishes and specialty cookware because we don't use them often enough to justify the space. However, if your family regularly cooks casseroles, baked meals, or holiday dishes, those items may be worth including. Think about how you actually cook during a typical week and pack accordingly.

Utensils are another category where I don't cut corners. We pack a full set of forks, knives, and spoons, along with our favorite cooking utensils and a good set of kitchen knives. Having familiar tools makes preparing meals in a new home much easier. I also pre-pack these in these clear shoe boxes from The Container Store that I purchased 20 years ago. Less damage can be done to them in transit and this way you don’t accidentally reach into packing paper and grab a knife.

Spices can be a great addition to a UAB shipment, but be sure to check with your transportation provider first. Every moving company we've worked with has had different rules regarding food items, liquids, and opened containers. Because of the varying regulations, spices are often something I purchase on arrival.

One final tip: don't overlook seating. Every UAB shipment we've had has come with different size restrictions and rules regarding furniture. Some companies won't allow furniture at all, while others are more flexible. During our most recent move, we were able to include our four standard dining room chairs, which will make a huge difference while waiting for our household goods which are estimated to take up to 6 months going to Germany from South Korea!! If furniture isn't allowed, consider packing a few folding camping chairs. Trust me - having somewhere to sit besides an air mattress makes those first weeks overseas much more comfortable.

Clothing

Clothing is another category that always earns a spot in our unaccompanied baggage shipment.

Some military families pack enough clothing in their suitcases to get through the first few weeks and leave the rest in their household goods shipment. That can work well if you're moving during the same season, but we've almost always PCS'd with changing seasons.

was able to pack each of my kids a full suitcase and sent the rest of their wardrobes in unaccompanied baggage. Before every PCS, I do a major clothing purge, but one thing I intentionally held onto this time was a few coats that my kids were on the verge of outgrowing. They may not fit for much longer, but I'd rather have them available immediately than be forced to purchase new coats before our household goods arrive.

For myself, I packed a handful of sweaters, coats, hiking layers, and favorite pants - items I knew I'd reach for regularly once we arrived.

One of my favorite UAB items isn't actually clothing at all. Years ago, when I worked in the fashion industry, I bought a metal clothing rack. That rack has followed me through multiple moves and always goes in our unaccompanied baggage shipment. Not only does it provide extra hanging space while we're figuring out closet configurations in a new home, but it also makes living out of a partially unpacked house much easier.

Along with the clothing already hanging on the rack, I packed an entire clear storage tote filled with hangers. It sounds like a small detail, but having extra hangers readily available makes it easy to unpack the clothing you've brought in suitcases and keep everything organized from day one.

A benefit of splitting clothing between UAB and household goods is that it reduces the amount of unpacking you'll have to tackle later. In my opinion, closets and kitchens are the two most overwhelming areas to unpack because they're filled with so many individual items that need homes. By dividing clothing between shipments, you're also dividing the workload, making each delivery a little more manageable.

One category I never have the movers pack? Underwear, socks, and bras. For me, a PCS is the perfect opportunity to sort through those items, toss what needs replacing, and start fresh.

Entertainment & Electronics

Don't overlook the things that help YOUR family feel at home during those first few weeks overseas. A television is one of the most common entertainment items shipped in unaccompanied baggage, but allowances can vary depending on your transportation office and moving company. Over the years, we've heard everything from 40-inch limits to 45-inch limits. During our move from North Carolina to South Korea, we were initially told a 40-inch television was the maximum size allowed. When the movers arrived, our 45-inch television earned a hesitant "it might fit" before ultimately making it into the shipment.

Our move from South Korea to Germany was completely different. This time, our UAB was packed into a crate, and television size wasn't nearly as much of a concern. The lesson? Always ask questions during your pre-move appointments because UAB allowances can vary significantly from one move to the next.

Along with our television, we always ship our sound bar. It takes up very little space but makes a big difference when you're spending evenings in an otherwise empty house waiting for your household goods to arrive.

Electronics are another category we prioritize. My husband and I both ship our desktop computers in UAB, along with our printer. These are items we use regularly for work and everyday life, and having them available shortly after arrival helps us settle into a routine much faster. (Writing from my MacBook for the next few months and I already miss my iMac. Why is everything so small on a MacBook)

I also recommend packing a few extension cords and at least one power strip. You probably have a ton of both anything, but they’re easy to forget, and incredibly useful when you're dealing with unfamiliar room layouts and limited outlets in temporary housing or a new home.

If you’re planning on taking your current vacuum, shipping it in UAB is a great idea also!

If you own your own Wi-Fi equipment, UAB is another option for transporting it. My husband prefers to pack our router in his suitcase so we have immediate access to it as soon as we arrive.

Beyond electronics, don't forget about outdoor recreation. Bicycles can almost always be included in UAB. When we moved to South Korea, we were able to ship two adult electric bikes that weighed nearly 90 pounds each. For our current move, we've included my daughter's bicycle and several scooters. Having those items available right away gives everyone a way to get outside, explore the neighborhood, and enjoy some normalcy while we wait for the rest of our household goods to arrive.

Seasonal Items

If you're arriving just before summer, consider packing beach towels, swimsuits, life jackets, pool toys, and other warm-weather essentials. Having those items available immediately means your family can start enjoying your new duty station right away instead of waiting weeks or repurchasing those items.

The same logic applies to winter moves. If you're heading to a cold-weather assignment, make sure winter coats, boots, gloves, and other cold-weather gear are easily accessible, whether that's in your luggage or your UAB shipment.

One seasonal item that often gets overlooked is holiday decor. If you're arriving overseas in November or December and don't expect your household goods to arrive until after the holidays, packing a small selection of Christmas decorations can make a new house feel much more like home.

Miscellaneous Items

I also send my small but well-stocked tool chest. Ours contains screwdrivers, a hammer, nails, screws, wrenches, measuring tape, and a handful of other basic tools. Having a few basic tools available immediately saves countless trips to the store. In addition to that, I send my stepladder so I’ll be able to reach up to hang curtain rods as needed!

Earlier this year, I purchased five-shelf rolling carts for each of my daughters' rooms. These carts hold books, art supplies, hair accessories, small toys, and all the little items they use regularly. Before packing, we cleaned them out, reorganized everything, and turned them into personalized moving stations. I told the girls they could fill the carts with their favorite everyday items, which helped reduce the number of toys they felt compelled to send.

While living in South Korea, we’ve used a folding wagon constantly for grocery runs, shopping trips, and hauling supplies up and down the elevator. Having a wagon available from the start, since your vehicle most likely won’t be there yet, can make those first few weeks much easier.

Depending on your service member's job, professional gear may also be worth considering. This category will look different for every family. Some service members may need access to specific equipment shortly after arrival, while others can comfortably wait for their household goods shipment. My husband tends to pack very minimally for travel and sends most of his professional gear with our household goods, but every situation is different.

As you're deciding what to send, think about the things your family uses every day. The goal isn't to recreate your entire house; it's to make those first few weeks overseas as comfortable and functional as possible while you wait for your household goods to arrive.

One last tip: that last month before you PCS, start a Note on your phone of everything you toss as you prepare to move, that way you know exactly what you need to re-purchase. Nothing is more frustrating than forgetting mustard for the third time at the grocery store.