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All Military Post Offices (MPOs) have restrictions on items that can be
sent using the APO/FPO
system. While there are several "rules of thumb" that can be
referred to, individual APO/FPO zip codes have restrictions that
are specific to the overseas location they serve. For the first
time ever, these zip codes are now available in an online database
that can be searched quickly and easily to verify any and all
restrictions to overseas military bases, posts and camps.
Most APO/FPO addresses have the following general restrictions:
- Packages may not exceed 70 lbs. (Some zip codes have lower limits)
- Packages may not exceed 130 inches in combined length and girth. (This means if you have a package that is 100"
in length and 40" when you measure around it, you cannot send the item)
- All packages must be sent via the U.S. Postal System. The post office also requires companies or individuals to
hand deliver packages being sent to APO/FPO addresses. (This is one reason why many merchants won't ship to APO/FPO
addresses.)
- Firearms, alcohol, perishable foodstuffs and certain hazardous items also are restricted. Each zip code has a more
detailed list of the restrictions for certain types of products.
For a complete description of the restrictions at your APO/FPO
address, enter your zip code in the box in the middle of the webpage at:
http://www.oconus.com/ZipCodes.asp. This
database is kept current with the twice-monthly Postal Bulletin
Publication, which outlines all APO FPO zip code changes. Please note
that the customs forms mentioned in the restrictions apply to
packages and not to typical letters that just weight a few ounces.
There are several facts you should take into consideration when ordering items from an APO/FPO address:
- For packages, Priority Mail is only way to go. If a
merchant ships a package to your APO/FPO address using standard or
"surface" mail, it
will likely be a while before you see it. This is because all
Priority Mail eventually makes its way onto an airplane. Surface mail
does not.
Sending a package via surface mail may take up to 8 weeks because
it will be placed on a ship instead of a plane.
- Some items just can't be shipped to APO/FPO. Just
because a merchant won't ship an item to you does not mean that they
don't ship
to APO/FPO addresses. If you are planning on ordering a new
range for the kitchen, you aren't going to find anyone who will (or can)
ship it to you. We
take great care at Oconus.com to ensure that our merchants will
ship to APO/FPO addresses within the limits imposed on them by the MPO and the law.
- "AE", "AA" and "AP" The APO/FPO "states" of "AE",
"AA", and "AP" are the only legitimate states to use for an APO/FPO
addresses. It is
common knowledge that you can use "NY" for "AE", "CA" for "AP",
and "FL" for "AA", but you run the risk of having your credit card
rejected because
the billing address they have on file (with AA, AE or AP for the
state) does not match what you submitted online. For this reason we
are very hesitant to put merchants
on Oconus.com
who do not have the APO/FPO "states" available in their
drop-down boxes. We review all sites for this feature prior to
listing them and have helped dozens of merchants improve the APO/FPO
capabilities of their site.
Finally, we exist to help overseas military servicemembers, DOD
employees, government contractors and expatriates improve the quality of
their lives by providing a vast selection of merchants who ship to
APO/FPO
addresses.
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