key points:
- usps is the only postal service that can deliver mail and packages to military addresses apo/fpo
- apo stands for Army Post Office and is associated with Army, Navy or US Army installations. air force
- consider shipping usps express priority mail if you want faster delivery when shipping to an apo address
There are nearly 800 US military bases in more than 70 countries around the world. The US military operates from bases across the country to far-flung islands in the South Pacific and installations on every continent except Antarctica. so when our troops are permanently stationed around the world constantly, sending a letter or a package is one way to show your love and support.
usps is the only postal service that can deliver mail and packages to military apo/fpo addresses. apo stands for Army Post Office and is associated with Army, Marine Corps, or Air Force installations. On the other hand, FPO stands for Fleet Post Office and delivers mail to Navy facilities and ships. You can also enjoy shipping to the following military branches:
- army
- marines
- navy
- air force
- coast guard
This blog will give you a comprehensive guide to sending letters and packages of all sizes to US military bases.
how to direct mail apo and fpo
Unlike standard shipping, apo/fpo mail follows a different procedure when sending to a military address. mail without a properly formatted address automatically goes back to the sender, so get it right the first time.
Follow these four steps to address FPO or APO mail correctly:
- type the service member’s full name and include their rank (i.e. cpt bob smith)
- include their unit and assigned box number (i.e. box 0402)
- enter the appropriate military zip code in the area where you would normally write city (ie apo/fpo)
- use the following abbreviation in place of the state:
- ae: used for the armed forces in Europe, the Middle East, and Canada
- ap: used for the armed forces in the pacific
- aa: used for the armed forces in the americas (not including canada)
5. provide the corresponding five-digit postal code and it will be ready to ship to an apo address.
apo address example
apo stands for Army Post Office and is associated with Army, Navy, and Air Force installations. below is a correctly formatted apo address. That way, you can make sure your loved one gets your letter or package.
capt robert smith
unit 2055 box 0402
apo ap 96278
Example of FPO mail address
fpo stands for fleet post office and refers to mail sent to navy ships and facilities. Here’s a properly formatted FPO address so you can make sure your loved one in the military receives their care package or letter.
sergeant john doe
unit 1112 box 5555
app fpo 96667-3931
couriers shipping to apo and fpo locations
usps is the only postal service that can deliver mail and packages to apo/fpo locations due to security restrictions. so don’t waste your time on fedex or ups; USPS is the only postal service available.
apo/fpo shipping restrictions
we all want to avoid any mishaps when sending mail apo or fpo. Unfortunately, your recipient cannot receive a package that contains a restricted item. In addition, you also risk having your USPS account suspended by the USPS if you ship a restricted item.
Below is a list of restricted items that cannot be shipped to an fpo or apo address:
- perishables
- oversize items over 70 pounds
- any obscene material, including pornographic items
- any political material
- pork (or any pork by-product)
- family radio service (frs) radios
- fm transmitters
- cordless phones
- mobile phones
- gps and software
- hand sanitizer
While you cannot ship specific items to an fpo/apo address, restricted items, such as perishables or specific electronic devices, are available for sale on base to military personnel.
how to ship to a military location
Always pack your item securely so your package can withstand any movement during transit. Adding additional packing material to the inner box can give you peace of mind about the safety of your package.
Consider the following tips for shipping packages to military addresses to ensure a smooth shipping experience:
- always double check you have the correct apo/fpo address
- get your free priority mail apo/fpo flat rate boxes from usps.com
- make sure your packages weigh less than 70 pounds and less than 130 inches
Connecting with a shipping platform can simplify your shipping and fulfillment processes. for example, easyship offers users automatic label generation so you can minimize human error when it comes to shipping packages to military addresses.
related post: how to ship a package with usps: what you need to know
delivery time for military mail
Your shipment may take between 3 and 45 business days to arrive at any domestic or international air support or military address. In addition, the delivery time may vary for various reasons, including:
- military aircraft schedules
- weather delays
- delivery destination
- delays in the classification process
- level courier service
delivery times to global apo/fpo addresses
Ship to an fpo/apo address? Consider shipping USPS Express Priority Mail if you want faster delivery. package selection remains an affordable option if you’re short on time. To send, visit your local post office or schedule an in-person pickup to send military mail abroad.
These are estimated delivery times for sending mail or packages to your loved ones in the military.
united states to europe/atlantic region
united states to the middle east
us to east asia/apac
United States to Central America
how much does it cost to ship to an apo address?
Depending on the weight, size and dimensions of your package, prices will vary. Fortunately, you only pay domestic rates for all apo/fpo一 mail, including international addresses.
let’s say you want to send a three pound package from new york to laughlin air force base in texas. Using the USPS Rate Calculator, we can calculate how much it will cost to ship the three pound package. Estimated prices are shown below.
now let’s say you also want to send a 3 pound package from new york to ramstein air base in germany. below are the rates for the 3 pound package.
Finally, let’s say you want to send a 3-pound package from New York to Osan Air Base in South Korea. below are the rates for the 3 pound pack.
easyship can save you up to 91% off discounted usps shipping rates, including apo/fpo mail. our free shipping rate calculator can help you calculate the cost of shipping your fpo or apo mail.
Below are some of easyship’s pre-negotiated discounted rates for shipments to the email addresses above.
I ship with easyship to an fpo/dpo/apo address
Do major retailers ship to an apo address?
Major retailers, department stores, and e-commerce websites are types of businesses that can ship to an apo address. Below is a list of popular stores and websites that ship to fpo/dpo/apo addresses.
- amazon
- walmart
- ebay
- best buy
- newegg
- overstock.com
- target
- etsy
- macy’s
- nordstrom
- ulta
- revolver
- nike
*for the full list of retailers that ship to an apo address, learn more here.
shipping to an apo address with easyship
Shipping to an apo address doesn’t have to be difficult. Although you will have to follow the restrictions, using a shipping platform like easyship can make sending mail to military addresses easy. So keep sending letters and packages to your loved ones abroad at a bulk discount with a reliable shipping platform like easyship.
Be sure to note key information before shipping packages abroad. For example, you can only use USPS to send mail to military addresses for security reasons. Plus, you’ll want to make sure the address on your letter or package is correct, so nothing gets lost in transit.
Easyship does all the hard work by partnering with USPS to provide you with the best available rates. You’ll save up to 91% off discounted USPS shipping rates with Easyship, especially for international couriers. You’ll also gain access to tools and features such as the following:
- easyship shipping rate calculator: access high-volume discounts from major messengers. plus, get instant access to premium shipping couriers delivery times for faster shipping
- shipping dashboard: manage orders and create shipments instantly in the shipping panel. plus, keep track of all delivery times in one place
- high value shipping insurance: easyship offers shipping insurance for up to $10,000 for all shipments. this way customers can rest easy when it comes to high value items
Start a free account with easyship and start shipping to an apo address.
If you found this article informative, you might enjoy the following:
- usps shipping restrictions and prohibited items
- ups shipping restrictions and prohibited items
- fedex shipping restrictions and prohibited items