How to Ship to APO, FPO and DPO Military Addresses
APO, FPO and DPO addresses belong to US military and diplomatic post offices. APO is the Army/Air Post Office, FPO the Fleet Post Office, and DPO the Diplomatic Post Office. Even when the person is overseas, USPS treats these as domestic addresses for price. So you pay the same postage as for a parcel inside the US.
USPS is the carrier built for these addresses. Below is the exact address format USPS wants, the customs form rules, what it costs, and the 2026 holiday deadlines. Facts come from USPS's Military & Diplomatic Mail page and its 2026 holiday deadline list.
How to write an APO, FPO or DPO address
USPS says each shipment needs the recipient's name, rank and unit, plus the APO, FPO or DPO address with the 9-digit ZIP Code. Always add a return address. Here are USPS's own examples:
- APO: PFC JOHN DOE / PSC 3 BOX 4120 / APO AE 09021
- FPO: SEAMAN JOSEPH SMITH / UNIT 100100 BOX 4120 / FPO AP 96691
- DPO: JOHN ADAMS / UNIT 8400 BOX 0000 / DPO AE 09498-0048
⚠️ Do not add a city or country name, such as Germany or Japan. USPS says that can send the parcel into a foreign mail network instead of the military one. If an online form forces you to pick a country, choose United States.
What do AE, AP and AA mean?
They take the place of the state code. AE covers Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Canada, with ZIP Codes starting 090 to 099. AP covers the Pacific, with ZIP Codes starting 962 to 966. AA covers the Americas outside the US, with ZIP Codes starting 340. Copy the code exactly as the service member gives it to you.
Can I ship to an APO with USPS? Yes, at domestic prices
USPS says you pay domestic prices to an APO, FPO or DPO address, even if the mail goes overseas. Use Priority Mail, USPS Ground Advantage or Priority Mail Express, priced by weight and zone as usual.
USPS also has a special Priority Mail APO/FPO Large Flat Rate Box, free to order from The Postal Store. It costs $34.65 at the Post Office counter from October 4, 2026 to January 17, 2027 ($32.55 under the July 2026 prices). It is the same size as the regular Large Flat Rate Box, 12-1/4 x 12 x 6 inches.
Do I need a customs form?
Often, yes. USPS says you often need a customs form to ship to a military address overseas, and asks for detailed descriptions of the contents. Click-N-Ship tells you which form you need and walks you through it when you buy postage online.
Service members sending a parcel from an APO, FPO or MPO back to the US or abroad must create the customs form online, or fill out PS Form 2976-R, before going to the counter.
What can't you send to an APO?
It depends on the base. Each military post office follows US rules plus the rules of the country it sits in. USPS's APO/FPO/DPO Restrictions tool (postcalc.usps.com/militaryrestrictions) lets you look up the 5-digit military ZIP Code. Click-N-Ship also warns about some restrictions when you enter the ZIP Code, but USPS says the sender is still responsible for following the rules.
Size limits for DPO addresses
Packages to a DPO (diplomatic) address can be no bigger than 27 inches long, 14 inches wide and 14 inches high, USPS says. Pack smaller items, or split the shipment.
2026 holiday deadlines for military mail
USPS's recommended send-by dates for delivery before December 25, 2026, to APO/FPO/DPO ZIP Codes 090–092, 093, 094–099, 340 and 962–966:
- USPS Ground Advantage: Wednesday, November 4
- First-Class Mail: Wednesday, December 9
- Priority Mail: Wednesday, December 9
- Priority Mail Express Military Service: Wednesday, December 16 (not offered to ZIP 093, and only at selected military post offices)
💡 Ground Advantage is the cheapest, but its deadline is five weeks earlier than Priority Mail. If you miss November 4, Priority Mail still makes it by December 9.
Does UPS ship to APO addresses?
Only through a contract service. UPS lists APO, FPO and DPO addresses as destinations for UPS Ground Saver, which is for customers with a UPS contract and may be delivered by USPS. For most people, USPS is the simple choice.
Does FedEx ship to APO addresses?
No. FedEx says it cannot deliver to US military post office addresses such as APO and FPO. Use USPS.
Does Amazon ship to APO addresses?
Many Amazon items can ship to APO, FPO and DPO addresses, but not all. Amazon shows at checkout whether an item can go to a military address.
Packing tips from USPS
- Put a second slip inside the box with the delivery and return addresses, in case the outside label is damaged.
- Think about heat. USPS notes desert temperatures often pass 100 degrees, which can harm electronics, chocolate and other delicate items.
- Address it to a named person. USPS no longer accepts mail addressed to 'Any Service Member'.
- Print a clear label and don't tape over the barcode. If you print at home, schedule a free USPS Package Pickup.
How long does USPS take to deliver to an APO?
USPS does not publish one delivery time for military mail. It depends on the location and on military transport. Use the holiday deadlines above as a guide: USPS asks for Ground Advantage parcels about seven weeks before December 25, and Priority Mail about two weeks before.
Who to ask
For questions about a specific military address, USPS lists MilitaryMailOperations@usps.gov and USPS Customer Service at 1-800-275-8777. Your local Post Office can also check restrictions for a ZIP Code.