The steps

  1. Get the full address from the recipient. You need their name and rank, unit and box, and the APO, FPO or DPO line with the ZIP. USPS says addressing mail to “Any Service Member” is no longer permitted, so you need a named person. See the address format guide.
  2. Check the address. Paste it into the address checker. It catches an APO written on an FPO ZIP, a region code that doesn’t match the ZIP, a closed ZIP and other mistakes before the package is on its way.
  3. Check what the ZIP restricts. Restrictions are set per ZIP. The checker lists them for the address you paste, and each ZIP’s own page has the same list. What can’t be shipped explains the most common ones.
  4. Pack for the trip. USPS warns that desert temperatures typically exceed 100 degrees, which can damage items such as electronics. Keep it within the ZIP’s size and weight limits (below).
  5. Fill out the customs form. 555 of 557 active ZIPs require one on anything weighing 16 ounces or more, and on any merchandise at any weight. See customs forms.
  6. Choose a service and ship. Pay domestic rates and include a return address. USPS says always to include one.

Postage

USPS ships military and diplomatic mail at domestic prices, even when the recipient is overseas. If a form asks for a country, choose United States. Free Priority Mail APO/FPO Large Flat Rate Boxes can be ordered from the USPS Postal Store, and your mail carrier delivers them to your door at no charge. USPS also offers free package pickup (restrictions and exclusions may apply).

Customs forms

USPS’s restriction table for 555 of 557 active ZIPs says a customs declaration, PS Form 2976 or PS Form 2976-A, is required for all items weighing 16 ounces or more, and for all items, whatever the weight, containing potentially dutiable contents such as merchandise or goods. Priority Mail Express Military Service pieces to or from those ZIPs must carry PS Form 2976-B.

The simplest way to fill one out is online. Click-N-Ship walks you through the customs forms, and USPS says more detailed package descriptions are now required for all countries. If you’re sending from an APO, FPO or MPO address, USPS says to create the customs form online or fill out PS Form 2976-R before a clerk creates the label.

Size and weight limits

Limits depend on the ZIP. These are the ones that come up most often in USPS’s table:

  • Mail sack limit (27 × 14 × 14 inches). 43 ZIPs require all mail to fit in a mail sack with a maximum length of 27 inches, width of 14 inches and height of 14 inches. USPS lists the same dimensions for DPO packages.
  • 66 pounds. 2 ZIPs cap mail at 66 pounds, 42 inches in length, and 72 inches in length and girth combined.
  • 108 inches. 135 ZIPs limit Parcel Select parcels to 108 inches in length and girth combined.
  • No outside pieces. 44 ZIPs don’t accept pieces too big to go inside a mail sack.

Service limits

  • Priority Mail Express Military Service isn’t available at 411 ZIPs.
  • Registered Mail isn’t accepted at 267 ZIPs.
  • Some ZIPs take only First-Class Mail and Priority Mail. That applies at 3 ZIPs.
  • Household shipments and case lots of food need approval first at 202 ZIPs. For a military post office the approval comes from the military transportation office. For a DPO it comes from the Diplomatic Pouch and Mail Director.

Which carriers can deliver

USPS makes the final delivery to every APO, FPO and DPO address. Regular UPS, FedEx and DHL services can’t deliver to these addresses directly. A few economy services hand the last leg to USPS. FedEx’s own Ground Economy guide, for example, notes that military mail receives USPS delivery. Which services do this has changed over time, so confirm with the carrier before you buy, and expect the same customs form and restrictions as any other mailer.

How long it takes

USPS doesn’t promise a fixed time. Delivery time depends on the mail class, the destination and military activity, so allow extra time compared with a domestic shipment. For holiday mailing, ask USPS for its current recommended mail-by dates.

USPS’s military mail team can be reached at MilitaryMailOperations@usps.gov or 1-800-ASK-USPS (1-800-275-8777).

Questions about shipping to military addresses

Is shipping to an APO address domestic or international?

It’s domestic. USPS ships military and diplomatic mail at domestic prices, even when the recipient is overseas. If a form asks for a country, choose United States.

Do I need a customs form to ship to an APO?

Usually, yes. Most active ZIPs require PS Form 2976 or 2976-A for anything weighing 16 ounces or more, and for any merchandise at any weight. Documents under 16 ounces often don’t need one. Check the restrictions for the exact ZIP.

Can I ship UPS, FedEx or DHL to an APO, FPO or DPO address?

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

What if I don’t know the ZIP’s restrictions?

Paste the address into the address checker. It lists every restriction USPS publishes for that ZIP, in plain language, and flags the ones that apply to the address.