How do you ship an online sale to an APO, FPO or DPO address?
Ship it at domestic prices, but with a customs form: every APO/FPO/DPO package that weighs 16 oz or more or contains goods needs one, so every sale does. Make the form online with the label; a handwritten one means a trip to the counter.
Leave any foreign city or country out of the address, keep used electronics, spare lithium batteries and flammable liquids out of the box, and keep DPO packages within 27 x 14 x 14 in.
Rates verified on
Postage in the examples is from Notice 123 effective Oct 4, 2026, which includes USPS's temporary holiday prices for Ground Advantage and Priority Mail until 12 a.m. CT Jan 17, 2027. The fees quoted here are the same as in the July 12, 2026 edition, before the holiday prices began.
The rule, in USPS's words
“The mailpiece weighs 16 ounces or more (regardless of its contents, value, shape, or mail class). The mailpiece contains goods (regardless of weight, shape, or mail class).”
“Mail showing in the recipient’s address the name of a foreign city and country, in addition to the designation and address of an APO, FPO, or DPO, is subject to the postage prices and conditions for international mail.”
“Ship to an APO/FPO/DPO and you’ll pay domestic prices.”
“Used, damaged, and defective electronic devices (excluding devices that are new in original packaging, and manufacturer-certified new or refurbished devices) containing lithium batteries are prohibited (refer to 623).”
“Lithium metal and lithium-ion cells and batteries not packed in equipment (i.e., batteries packed with equipment or batteries sent separately from equipment) are prohibited.”
“Any item bearing a customs form and paid with only postage stamps.”
What it costs, with examples
| Box | Online | Post Office |
|---|---|---|
| APO/FPO/DPO Large Flat Rate Box (to a military address) | $31.34 | $34.65 |
| Large Flat Rate Box | $32.75 | $36.10 |
| Medium Flat Rate Box | $22.02 | $25.80 |
| Small Flat Rate Box | $12.95 | $14.65 |
| Item | To APO/FPO/DPO |
|---|---|
| Used phone or laptop (lithium battery) | prohibited |
| New phone in original packaging, battery installed | mailable within the limits: 4 cells of up to 20 Wh or 2 batteries of up to 100 Wh, no lithium battery marks |
| Spare lithium batteries, loose or packed with the device | prohibited |
| Flammable liquids packed under Packaging Instruction 3A (flashpoint above 20°F, under 100°F) | prohibited |
| Hand sanitizer | prohibited |
Edge cases
- Address format: name, then a PSC, UNIT, CPR, OPC or UPR line with the box number, then APO, FPO or DPO with AA, AE or AP and the ZIP Code (DMM 703.2.3.1). "Any Service Member" is no longer allowed.
- Drop-off: a package with a computer-generated customs form and printed postage can go in a collection box or a pickup; one with a handwritten form, or paid only with stamps, must go over a counter (DMM 703.2.5).
- The military Large Flat Rate Box pays the regular Large Flat Rate price if sent to a non-military address (DMM 123.1.4.2).
- Claims: insured APO/FPO/DPO mail sent by Priority Mail, First-Class Mail or Ground Advantage retail can be claimed from 45 days to 1 year after mailing (DMM 609.1.4).
- Box R retirees: APO and FPO mail to military or State Department retirees (Box R) is limited to 16 oz (DMM 703.2.2.2).
- Lithium consignments to APO/FPO/DPO are limited to two packages (Packaging Instruction 9E).
- Hazmat in general: Publication 52, 611 sends you to the International Mail Manual and Department of Defense conditions as well.
What to do
- Copy the buyer's military address exactly, with no city or country names.
- Make the label and customs form online (Click-N-Ship or your label tool) and describe the contents in detail.
- Check the item against the prohibited list before you accept the sale.
Questions
Do I need a customs form to ship to an APO?
Yes for any sale: a customs form is required when the package weighs 16 oz or more or contains goods (DMM 703.2.7.3).
Is shipping to an APO international?
No. You pay domestic prices (USPS), unless the address also names a foreign city and country, which makes it international mail (DMM 703.2.3.2).
Sources
Rates verified on from each official page below.
- USPS Notice 123, Price List (effective Oct 4, 2026)
- USPS Domestic Mail Manual 123: Priority Mail retail prices and eligibility
- USPS Domestic Mail Manual 609: filing indemnity claims for loss or damage
- USPS Domestic Mail Manual 703.2: overseas military and diplomatic mail (APO/FPO/DPO)
- USPS Publication 52, Packaging Instruction 3A: flammable liquids
- USPS Publication 52, Packaging Instruction 9E: lithium batteries, international and APO/FPO/DPO
- USPS Publication 52, 611: APO/FPO/DPO mail
- USPS: Domestic Shipping Prohibitions, Restrictions & HAZMAT
- USPS: Military and Diplomatic Mail (APO/FPO/DPO)
Free 1-page Reseller Cheat Sheet: fees on 8 platforms, Media Mail and stamp prices
What each platform takes from a $10, $25 and $50 sale, Media Mail 1-10 lb, Ground Advantage to Zones 1, 5 and 8, and the Forever stamp, on one printable page. The link appears as soon as you sign up.