Here’s something to keep in mind as we approach the busy holiday season—did you know you can receive a $2 discount off the flat rate of a Priority Mail Large Flat Rate Box? As a Stamps.com customer you already receive the discounted Commercial Base rate of $16.35 for the Priority Mail Large Flat Rate Box (it costs $16.75 at the Post Office) if you use a barcoded shipping label. You can get an even deeper discount when shipping to military (APO/FPO/DPO) addresses! This discount can be activated whether you’re sending mail to a military post, a U.S. Navy vessel, or a U.S. embassy.  

How does it work?
In the Stamps.com software, enter an APO address in the domestic packages section.  If it’s a valid APO/FPO/DPO address, this will automatically activate the Priority Mail Military Large Flat Rate Box discount and you’ll see the price drop to $14.35!

Selecting the right label
Please note: you only have the ability to receive the discount on barcoded shipping labels. This means that you should use printing supplies in the Packages section like the Standard 4 x 6 Plain Paper option, the SDC-1200 label, a Generic 4 x 6 Shipping Label, or the Narrow 2 x 7 ½ Shipping Label.

The APO/FPO/DPO Large Flat Rate Box  
If you’re sending mail at this discounted rate, you can use the specialized Priority Mail APO/FPO Large Flat Rate Box, which features an “America Supports You” logo and APO/FPO addressing block, can be ordered for free from the Stamps.com Online Store.

Additional resources
If you are shipping to military addresses during the holidays, you’ll want to take a look at these USPS shipping cutoffs. Need some tips on how to format an APO/FPO/DPO address? You can also download our FREE USPS Military Mail Guide for more helpful pointers. This guide provides step-by-step details on how to ship a package to a military address.

Sending packages via Military Mail can be tricky, especially when it comes to addressing the shipping label, determining whether or not to include customs forms and also understanding what you can and cannot send to military personnel. Learn how to ship packages to Military Mail APO/FPO/DPO addresses with the USPS.

Stamps.com has released a NEW USPS Military Mail Guide. The FREE downloadable PDF includes information on:

• How to address a shipping label for an APO/FPO/DPO package.
• How Military Mail is processed and if you need to include Customs Forms for your packages.
• What to do in case your Military Mail package goes missing.
• Estimated Delivery Times by Destination and Mail Class.
• Restricted products and specific shipping tips for APO/FPO/DPO packages.
• and much more!

DOWNLOAD THE FREE GUIDE NOW!

The men and women in the military look forward to receiving packages and letters from their friends and family back home.  However, many times it is tough to narrow down their exact shipping address if they are active duty military personnel deployed overseas. Due to this problem, the military has developed APOs and FPOs.

What is APO or FPO?
APO, which stands for Army Post Office, can take items for people serving abroad in the army or Air Force. Letters sent to an FPO, or Fleet Post Office, can be delivered to people in the Navy and on ship-based missions outside of the United States.

What makes APO/FPO address different from a street address is that part of the delivery is handled by the Department of Defense to get it to areas outside of the continental United States. Unlike mail sent to a street address or post office, APO/FPO addresses have “AA,” “AE” or “AP” listed in the state category. Although other shipping services, such as FedEx and UPS, send packages to other countries where military forces are concentrated, only the USPS is able to send an item to an APO or FPO.

USPS Tips For Mailing To APO or FPO:
Before you prepare your letter or package, there are a few things you will need to know about mailing items to an APO/FPO.

Tip #1  Packages must be less than 70 pounds and smaller than 130 inches in length and girth combined.

Tip #2  Don’t include alcohol, perishables, firearms or any hazardous materials in your package, either.

Tip #3  Some zip codes have additional restrictions, so it pays to research them before mailing your parcel. Contact the Military Postal Service Agency at 1-800-810-6098 for additional restriction details.

Tip #4  Addressing your letter or package properly will ensure its arrival. The Department of Defense requires you to use the service member’s full name, the unit and APO/FPO with a 9-digit zip code and a return address.

Tip #5  If you are just planning to mail a letter that weighs a few ounces, you will not need to fill out a customs form. However, if you are sending a package, you must attach a customs form detailing where your package is going and what is inside.

Tip #6  You must give your APO/FPO parcel to a USPS employee in order to mail it. If you don’t feel like going to the post office, you can schedule an in-person carrier pickup at your home through Stamps.com.

Going the extra mile to send a package to someone in the armed forces is an easy gesture that will brighten a soldier’s day. With these rules in mind, your shipping process will be problem-free.

Special Note for Stamps.com Customers:  To send a package to an APO or FPO address, Stamps.com customers need to use the “Packages” tab.  This “Packages” tab is built for domestic postage and does not automatically create a U.S. customs form.  You will need to complete and attach a customs form manually for your package.