The items people ask about
Each figure is the number of active ZIPs, out of 557, where USPS’s restriction table (Postal Bulletin 22712) bans the item.
| Item | Banned at | USPS code |
|---|---|---|
| Alcohol | 534 ZIPs (96%) | R |
| Synthetic cannabinoids (K2, Spice) | 518 ZIPs (93%) | S |
| E-cigarettes, vapes and e-liquids | 501 ZIPs (90%) | C2 |
| Cigarettes and other tobacco | 499 ZIPs (90%) | C |
| Weapons of any kind | 383 ZIPs (69%) | F1 |
| Firearms | 339 ZIPs (61%) | F |
| Fruits, vegetables, live animals and plants | 339 ZIPs (61%) | M |
| Replica weapons and weapon parts | 518 ZIPs (93%) | F3 |
| Meat and animal by-products | 127 ZIPs (23%) | H |
| Coffee | 66 ZIPs (12%) | D |
| Medicines, vitamins and supplements to individuals | 53 ZIPs (10%) | E |
| Electronics of any kind | 4 ZIPs (1%) | I |
| Items with lithium cells or batteries | 34 ZIPs (6%) | I1 |
| Liquids of any kind | 6 ZIPs (1%) | I2 |
A ZIP that isn’t counted for an item doesn’t necessarily allow it. Other rules, such as the customs form or a size limit, still apply, and USPS can change a ZIP’s restrictions in any bulletin. Check the ZIP you’re shipping to.
Straight answers
Can you ship alcohol to an APO?
Almost never. All alcoholic beverages are banned at 534 of 557 active ZIPs, and so are materials used to make them (hops, malt, yeast and distilling supplies) at 266 ZIPs.
Can you ship cigarettes, tobacco or vapes to an APO?
At most ZIPs, no. Tobacco products are banned at 499 ZIPs and e-cigarettes, vapes and e-liquids at 501. Where USPS lists the exception, 200 grams of tobacco per parcel are permitted duty free, and that note appears at 55 ZIPs.
Can you ship batteries or electronics to an APO?
Electronics of all kinds are banned at 4 ZIPs, and anything containing lithium cells or batteries at 34. At the ZIPs where neither is banned, still read the other restrictions. Radios, cordless and cell phones, GPS units, scanners and transmitters are banned at 33 ZIPs.
Can you ship food to an APO?
It depends on the food. Fruits, vegetables, live animals and live plants are banned at 339 ZIPs. Meat, including preserved meat, is banned at 127 ZIPs, and pork and pork products at 64. Hermetically sealed, USDA-certified meat products such as dried beef, salami and sausage are allowed at 55 ZIPs. Coffee is banned at 66 ZIPs. Household shipments and case lots of food need approval at 202 ZIPs.
Can you ship medicine or supplements to an APO?
Medicines, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins and supplements mailed to individuals are banned at 53 ZIPs. Where medicines are allowed, you’re responsible for making sure they conform to host-nation law (restriction E1, 35 ZIPs).
Can you ship firearms or weapons to an APO?
Firearms are banned at 339 ZIPs, except to or from official U.S. government agencies. Weapons of any kind are banned at 383, and replica weapons and weapon parts at 518.
Every restriction USPS lists, in plain language
USPS publishes each ZIP’s restrictions as a string of letter codes. This is what each code means, grouped by the kind of rule, with the number of active ZIPs that carry it.
Can’t be sent
- Securities, currency and precious metals(A)204 of 557 ZIPs
- Cigarettes and all other tobacco products(C)499 of 557 ZIPs
- Obscene or horror material (prints, films, comics and the like)(C1)167 of 557 ZIPs
- E-cigarettes, vapes, e-liquids and their parts(C2)501 of 557 ZIPs
- Coffee(D)66 of 557 ZIPs
- Medicines, vitamins and supplements sent to individuals(E)53 of 557 ZIPs
- Nude or sexual material and unauthorized political material. Bulk religious material contrary to Islam (single personal items are allowed).(E2)95 of 557 ZIPs
- Radios, cordless and cell phones, GPS units, scanners and transmitters(E3)33 of 557 ZIPs
- Firearms, except to or from official U.S. agencies(F)339 of 557 ZIPs
- Weapons of any kind(F1)383 of 557 ZIPs
- Replica weapons, inert explosives and weapon parts(F3)518 of 557 ZIPs
- Meat and animal by-products (bones, hides, feathers, wool samples)(H)127 of 557 ZIPs
- Pork and pork products(H1)64 of 557 ZIPs
- Electronics of any kind(I)4 of 557 ZIPs
- Anything containing lithium cells or batteries(I1)34 of 557 ZIPs
- Liquids of any kind(I2)6 of 557 ZIPs
- Fruits, vegetables, live animals and live plants(M)339 of 557 ZIPs
- Alcoholic beverages(R)534 of 557 ZIPs
- Brewing and distilling supplies (hops, malt, yeast)(R1)266 of 557 ZIPs
- Synthetic cannabinoids (K2, Spice)(S)518 of 557 ZIPs
- Cremated remains(X)165 of 557 ZIPs
Paperwork and approvals
- Customs form PS 2976 or 2976-A for anything 16 oz or heavier, and for any merchandise at any weight. Priority Mail Express Military Service needs PS 2976-B.(B)555 of 557 ZIPs
- Medicines and vaccines must comply with host-nation law(E1)35 of 557 ZIPs
- Firearms limited to one shotgun and one single-shot .22 rifle per person(F2)22 of 557 ZIPs
- Household goods and case lots of food need approval before mailing (military transportation office, or the Diplomatic Pouch and Mail office for a DPO)(T)202 of 557 ZIPs
Size, weight and service
- Must fit in a mail sack: at most 27 × 14 × 14 inches(I3)43 of 557 ZIPs
- Parcel Select parcels: 108 inches max, length plus girth(J)135 of 557 ZIPs
- Official government mail isn’t accepted(L)169 of 557 ZIPs
- No Registered Mail(N)267 of 557 ZIPs
- Official government mail only(P)9 of 557 ZIPs
- 66 lb max, 42 inches max length, 72 inches max length plus girth(Q)2 of 557 ZIPs
- First-Class Mail only, 13 oz max (official mail exempt)(U1)1 of 557 ZIPs
- No Priority Mail Express Military Service(V)411 of 557 ZIPs
- USPS.com won’t show delivery status for extra services; a manual delivery record may be available on request(V1)7 of 557 ZIPs
- First-Class Mail and Priority Mail only(Y)3 of 557 ZIPs
- No outside pieces (items too big to go inside a mail sack)(Z)44 of 557 ZIPs
Box R and Box C mail
- Box R (retirees): 16 oz max, plus up to a 90-day supply of TRICARE medications(U)135 of 557 ZIPs
- Box R (retirees) gets no mail service here(U2)33 of 557 ZIPs
- Box C (State Department contractors): 2 lb max(U4)2 of 557 ZIPs
Allowed exceptions
- USDA-certified, sealed meat products such as jerky, salami and sausage. USPS also lists 200 g of tobacco per parcel as duty-free.(W)55 of 557 ZIPs
Source: USPS Postal Bulletin 22712, Overseas Military/Diplomatic Mail, October 1, 2026. Code Z1 is a handling rule for USPS exchange offices and asks nothing of senders. Wording is simplified, so read USPS’s table for a ZIP before shipping anything borderline.
Questions about restricted items
Why do restrictions differ between APO ZIP codes?
USPS sets them per ZIP, so the same package can be fine for one address and refused for another. Always check the exact ZIP.
Where do I find the restrictions for a specific ZIP?
Paste the address into the address checker, or open the ZIP’s page from the ZIP code list. Both show the restrictions USPS publishes for that ZIP, in plain language.
Is the customs form a restriction?
It’s a requirement rather than a ban. Most ZIPs require a customs form on anything 16 ounces or heavier and on any merchandise. See the shipping guide.