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Send Military and Diplomatic Mail

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ShippingEasy Content Team

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Military mail and diplomatic mail are vital communication links with members of our armed forces and diplomatic services. This mail includes letters and packages sent to an APO, CMR, DPO FPO, OMDC, PSC, RPO, or UMR address.

All military mail is treated as domestic mail, even when sent to a foreign country. Please use standard domestic mail rates for letters. ShippingEasy can create labels to US Military and Diplomatic addresses, but it will depend on the limits of the carrier used for the shipment. 

Customs Forms required for packages shipped to foreign countries

All packages must have completed Customs Forms attached if being sent to a foreign country. To learn more, visit Ship Internationally with ShippingEasy.

All packages must have completed Customs Forms attached if being sent to a foreign country.

Format Military Mail Addresses

When sending packages to the Military you must follow specific guidelines regarding formatting addresses.

How to Format a Military Address

Use the guidelines below to format the ship to address for packages that are sent to a US military address.

Address field Military address Information APO Example FPO Example
Recipient name Write out the service member's full name and rank in the address. All mail sent to the Military must be addressed to someone specific; addressing mail to "Any Service Member" is no longer permitted by the USPS. SGT JOHN DOE SEAMAN JOSEPH SMITH
Address line 1 Write out the destination address in all capital letters. Include the unit and box (where applicable) into Address Line 1. It is not necessary to add specific military formations (for example "1/20 24th Infantry"). PSC 123 BOX 987 USCGC HAMILTON
City

Enter the Military mail designation type from the list below:

  • APO (Army Post Office)
  • CMR (Community Mail Room)
  • DPO (Diplomatic Post Office). When mailing to a DPO address, do not include the street address of the embassy or the recipient's job title.
  • FPO (Fleet Post Office). If the service member is aboard a United States Navy or United States Coast Guard vessel, use the ship's name and hull number.
  • OMDC (Official Mail Distribution Center) number
  • PSC (Postal Service Center)
  • RPO (Regional Post Office)
  • UMR (Unit Mail Room)
 APO FPO
State

Do not use the state that the distribution hub is in as it may cause delays in package processing and delivery. Select one of the following options:

  • AE - Armed Forces: This is the New York City, NY distribution center used by armed forces in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Canada.
  • AP - Armed Forces Pacific: This is the San Francisco, CA distribution center used for Armed Forces in the Pacific.
  • AA - Armed Forces America: This is the Miami, FL distribution center used for Armed Forces America, which excludes Canada.
 AP AP
Country Select United States for the destination country regardless of where the service member is posted. USA USA
Zipcode Enter the zip code. 96601-0098 96667

Restrictions for Sending Military and Diplomatic Mail Packages

There are some restrictions when sending military mail:

  • All packages must be 70 lbs. or less
  • Packages cannot exceed 130 in. combined length and girth.
  • Remove any batteries from battery-powered items. Wrap them securely and place them with the item.

  • Pack items carefully. Your packages will be handled extensively before finally reaching the recipient. Keep the following tips in mind to help ensure packages arrive safely and undamaged:

    • Box: choose a box with enough room for cushioning material around the contents. If you reuse a box, cover up or black out old labels and markings.
    • Cushioning: place cushioning around your items. Close and gently shake the box to see whether there is enough padding.
    • Sealing: tape your box shut and reinforce the seams with 2" wide tape. Use clear or brown packaging tape, reinforced packing tape, or paper tape.
  • You cannot send perishable foods.
  • You cannot send any item restricted by the United States Postal Service.
  • You cannot send any items that are restricted by the unit's host country. To see a full list of restricted items by military/embassy-specific ZIP code, visit the UPSPS page for APO/FPO/DPO Restrictions.
  • There are a small number of military destinations with further restrictions. To learn more, visit the USPS page about Overseas Military/Diplomatic Mail
  • For additional information, you can also visit the USPS Military Mail FAQ page.

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