The DPO address format

A DPO address has the same three lines as an APO or FPO address. This is USPS’s own DPO example:

  • Line 1 is the recipient’s name (and title or rank, if they have one).
  • Line 2 is the unit and box the recipient was given.
  • Line 3 is DPO, the region code and the ZIP, with the nine-digit ZIP when you have it.

As with every military address, leave off the city, country and street. Don’t write “U.S. Embassy” and a foreign city in place of the DPO line.

Check the ZIP and region code

A DPO is its own designation in USPS’s table, so a DPO ZIP can’t be written as APO or FPO. For example, 09498 is a DPO ZIP, and so are 09301 and 09160. Writing “APO AE 09498” is wrong. The region code has to match the ZIP too: ZIPs starting 09 are AE, 340 are AA and 962 through 966 are AP. What the region codes mean.

What’s different about DPO mail

  • Packages must fit in a mail sack. USPS lists DPO package limits as 27 inches long, 14 inches wide and 14 inches high.
  • Household shipments and case lots of food need pre-approval. For a DPO, that approval comes from the Diplomatic Pouch and Mail Director. For other military post offices, it comes from the military transportation office.
  • Box C is limited to 2 pounds. At ZIPs that carry restriction U4, mail addressed to Box C (State Department contractors) can’t weigh more than 2 lb.
  • Restrictions vary by ZIP. Each DPO ZIP has its own list. Look yours up in the ZIP code list.

Questions about DPO addresses

What does DPO stand for?

Diplomatic Post Office. DPOs serve U.S. embassies and consulates. Army and Air Force units use APO, and Navy and Marine Corps units and ships use FPO.

Is a DPO address a domestic address?

Yes. USPS treats DPO mail as domestic and charges domestic rates. If a form asks for a country, choose United States.

Can I ship to a DPO address with UPS, FedEx or DHL?

USPS makes the final delivery to DPO addresses, and regular UPS, FedEx and DHL services can’t deliver to them directly. Some economy services hand the last leg to USPS, but which ones has changed over time, so confirm with the carrier first.