Military & Diplomatic Mail
Special APO/FPO/DPO Supplies, Boxes, & Forms
You can ship care packages to military addresses at domestic prices, even if you're sending mail overseas. USPS can help you with:
- Free military shipping kits, addressing tips, and country-by-country guidance on what you can and can't send
- Filling out customs forms (including more-detailed package descriptions required by countries that follow European Union (EU) customs rules)
- Scheduling free package pickup when your shipment is ready to go
ALERT: Canada Post advises that the strike by its employees has ended. However, international mail service to Canada is still suspended. Learn more.
Free Shipping Supplies
No matter where your loved ones are, you can use our free shipping supplies to brighten their day!
Holiday Deadlines
Find deadlines for sending military cheer and check Post Office™ Holiday Hours.
Shipping Restrictions
Find out what you may ship internationally. Restrictions vary by country so review all guidelines carefully.
Use Click-N-Ship for APO & FPO
Sending Overseas. Click-N-Ship® service allows you to create Priority Mail International® and Priority Mail Express International® postage and address labels. When you send an international package through military and diplomatic mail, follow the destination country's restriction policies and include customs forms when necessary. Click-N-Ship will guide you through the customs forms process.
Sending to the U.S. Department of Defense employees sending packages to the U.S. from APO/FPO locations using Click-N-Ship may also use USPS Ground Advantage® service. When shipping to the U.S., follow U.S. domestic restriction policies.
Get Free Boxes
You can order free Priority Mail® APO/FPO Large Flat Rate Boxes online from The Postal Store®, and your mail carrier will deliver them to right to your door at no charge.
Military Guidelines & Country Regulations
Click-N-Ship will alert you to some of the prohibitions and restrictions based on the 5-digit Military Post Office ZIP Code™ you're shipping to, but you are responsible for ensuring your package complies with the laws and regulations of the U.S. and the destination country. You often need a customs form to ship overseas. Click-N-Ship will also let you know which customs forms you need.
Anyone sending an international package with an APO, FPO, or MPO Zip Code™ in the return address needs to create a customs form online or fill out PS Form 2976-R before visiting a retail counter for the clerk to create the label.
Helpful Links
Find additional information using the resources for military mail and country regulations.
- Check out International Shipping Prohibitions and Restrictions.
- Look up a ZIP Code™ in the APO/FPO/DPO Restrictions Tool.
- APO/FPO/DPO inquiries: MilitaryMailOperations@usps.gov.
- Ask your local Post Office™ location.
- Call USPS® Customer Service at 1-800-ASK-USPS (1-800-275-8777).
Addressing Military & Diplomatic Mail
Each shipment to an APO/FPO/DPO needs the recipient's name, rank, and unit, and the APO/FPO/DPO address with the 9-digit ZIP Code™. Always include a return address. Mail and shipments must be addressed to a specific person; addressing to "Any Service Member" is no longer permitted. To prevent mail from entering foreign mail networks, do not include city or country names in APO/FPO/DPO shipping addresses. Here are properly addressed shipment examples:
Army/Air Post Office (APO)
PFC JOHN DOE
PSC 3 BOX 4120
APO AE 09021
Fleet Post Office (FPO)
SEAMAN JOSEPH SMITH
UNIT 100100 BOX 4120
FPO AP 96691
Diplomatic Post Office (DPO)
JOHN ADAMS
UNIT 8400 BOX 0000
DPO AE 09498-0048
Schedule a Free Package Pickup
Print your own shipping and postage label at home. When your package is ready, schedule a free Package Pickup1 and your mail carrier will pick it up during normal business hours.
Tips for Sending Military & Diplomatic Mail
Expand AllProperly Prepare Your Shipment
Whether shipping to domestic or overseas military and diplomatic Post Offices, make sure you follow the guidelines for preparing your box or envelope correctly so it arrives on time. Learn about size and weight requirements, calculating postage, and dropping off your shipment.
Tuck an Address Inside the Box
It's a good idea to include a second piece of paper with the address inside the box, just in case something happens to damage the label on the outside. Be sure to include both the destination address and your return address on the spare copy.
Keep Temperature in Mind
Remember that outdoor conditions can affect the contents of your package. Desert temperatures typically exceed 100 degrees, which can damage delicate goods like electronics.