ELEVATE FULFILLMENT

What is APO shipping?

The Army Post Office (APO) handles shipping and delivery of mail for members of the US Army or Air Force. These packages are handled for domestic delivery (Army or Air Force bases) and active duty deployed overseas.

There is also FPO (Fleet Post Office) for the Navy. And DPO (Diplomatic Post Office) for US diplomats. 

APO, DPO, and FPO

The three main military post offices are the APO, DPO, and FPO for each branch of the military. Because each post office has its own unique requirements, it’s worth learning how they’re different.

APO: Army Post Office

The APO handles packages for members of the Army and Air Force. These packages can be sent to domestic bases in the US or to soldiers deployed overseas. 

DPO: Diplomatic Post Office

The DPO handles packages for US diplomats. This includes ambassadors, translators, and more located in embassies or specific residential locations. DPO packages are almost always sent to international locations. 

FPO: Fleet Post Office

The FPO handles packages for the Navy. Because Navy members are stationed on ships, their packages can take the longest to arrive.

How to address your APO packages in 5 steps

APO packages follow a specific format in order to be delivered. Unlike shipping products to non-military locations, you must include additional information so the package reaches the right location. Before you prepare your products for shipping, there are a few things to keep in mind.

1. Write the first and last name of the recipient

Be sure to use the recipient’s full legal name, as you must use the name they have on file with the military. If you think the name might be incorrect, try to get in contact with the individual to confirm their information. 

2. Designate where it’s being sent

You’ll want to select the proper unit or type of address it’s going to from the following list:

PSC (Postal Service Center)

CMR (Community Mail Room)

UMR (Unit Mail Room) or just Unit

RPO (Regional Post Office)

APO (Army Post Office)

OMDC (Official Mail Distribution Center)

3. Find the state designator

This will either be AA, AE, or AP:

AE is used for armed forces in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Canada.

AP is for the Pacific.

AA is the Americas, excluding Canada.

When shipping to an APO the country designation is the United States (US). Do not enter the city or country where the service member is stationed.

4. Find the exact address

Getting the address correct is crucial to ensure the package is delivered. Keep in mind the unit number, box number, and full name of the recipient are all correct. You don’t need to include the recipient’s rank in the shipping label. 

5. Complete the address

The address should like the example below:

Do carriers send to military addresses?

Only USPS can deliver the actual packages to APO addresses. Although other shipping services such as FedEx and UPS send packages to other countries where military forces are concentrated, USPS is the only entity that can actually deliver them to APO, FPO, and DPO addresses due to governmental security reasons.

What can’t be shipped to APO addresses?

Because you’re shipping to the armed forces, there are a few types of packages that can’t be shipped to APO addresses. In addition to the usual shipping restrictions (e.g., sending guns, alcohol, drugs, etc.), there are a few additional items that can’t be sent:

GPS hardware and software

Mobile phones

Family Radio Service (FRS) radios

Cordless phones

FM transmitters

Bulk quantities of religious materials contrary to the Islamic faith (items for the personal use of the addressee are allowed).

Major appliances and oversized products

Obscene articles

Pork byproducts