{"id":45077,"date":"2023-04-07T10:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-04-07T15:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/shippingeasy.com\/?p=45077"},"modified":"2023-04-06T11:13:19","modified_gmt":"2023-04-06T16:13:19","slug":"how-to-ship-military-mail","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/shippingeasy.com\/blog\/how-to-ship-military-mail\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Ship Military Mail"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Whether it be gifts from loved ones or direct purchases, Military Mail can lift the spirits of military personnel. USPS Military Mail provides those stationed overseas with an affordable carrier option, so they\u2019re able to receive letters and packages. While Military Mail is technically classified as domestic mail, but it does follow some of the same processes and requirements as international shipments. This includes completed customs forms and compliance with international shipping restrictions. The mention of international shipping may come with a negative connotation, but we\u2019ll guide you through shipping military mail, so you can provide the carrier service to customers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Table of Contents <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. What is Military Mail?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Shipping Military Mail with USPS<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Delivery time frames and services for Military Mail<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. USPS free supplies and resources<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. Customs form requirements for Military Mail<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  6. Military Mail with UPS <\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  7. Tips for shipping to a military address<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  8. Holiday considerations for Military Mail <\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  9. Shipping to other specialty addresses <\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  10. Sending Military Mail with ShippingEasy<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  11. Conclusion<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n

    What is Military Mail?<\/h2>\n\n\n

    Military Mail<\/a> is a classification of USPS mail including both letters and packages sent to different military departments, service members, and their families living on military bases. Military Mail is technically domestic mail but does require attached customs forms for packages weighing over 16 ounces (1 pound). Military Mail is shipped through an extension of the USPS called The Military Postal Service. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Make Shipping Easy with a 30-day free trial<\/a>!<\/h6>\n\n\n

    Shipping Military Mail with USPS<\/h2>\n\n\n

    The Military Postal Service<\/a> provides the same services as USPS with only slight variations, depending on where the recipient is stationed. Military Mail delivery is also made possible with the help of the US Transportation Command, Air Mobility Command, Military Transportation Command, and Military Sealift Command. These agencies work to keep shipments safe throughout transit and ensure packages are delivered to the correct destination. <\/p>\n\n\n

    Delivery time frames and services for Military Mail <\/h2>\n\n\n

    The most commonly used services for Military Mail are Express Mail\u00ae Military Service<\/a>, First-Class Mail\u00ae<\/a>, and Priority Mail\u00ae<\/a>. The estimated delivery timeframe of packages will vary based on the service used and the package\u2019s destination. You can find estimated delivery windows below as well as on the USPS website.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
    Destination <\/th>Zip Code<\/th>Express Mail\u00ae Military Service Delivery Window <\/th>First-Class Mail\u00ae \/ Priority Mail\u00ae Delivery Window <\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
    Europe\/Atlantic<\/td>(APO \/ FPO AE ZIP\u2122 Codes beginning with 090\u2013092 and 094\u2013099)<\/td>3 Days<\/td>7\u20139 Days<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Iraq\/Afghanistan\/Middle East<\/td>(APO \/ FPO AE ZIP\u2122 Codes beginning with 093)<\/td>Service Not Available<\/td>7\u201313 Days
    \n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Japan\/Korea\/
    \nPacific Islands\/Far East <\/td>    		(APO \/ FPO AP ZIP\u2122 Codes beginning with 962\u2013966)<\/td>3 Days<\/td>7\u20139 Days<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Central America\/ South American\/Caribbean <\/td>(APO \/ FPO AA ZIP\u2122 Codes beginning with 340)<\/td>Service Not Available<\/td>7\u20139 Days<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n

    USPS free supplies and resources<\/h2>\n\n\n

    USPS offers free shipping supplies for Military Mail<\/a>, including Priority Mail Flat Rate\u00ae boxes and envelopes. These supplies can be shipped to your home or business at no cost. USPS also provides a Military Mail restriction tool to the public. The APO\/FPO\/DPO Restrictions<\/a> tool will show any restrictions or guidelines for the destination zip code and helps you avoid adjustments and reduces the risk of packages being returned. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    Customs form requirements for Military Mail <\/h2>\n\n\n

    As we mentioned earlier, all packages over 16 ounces (1 pound) require customs forms. Fortunately, Military Mail only calls for one copy of customs forms<\/a>, and they\u2019re included with your label! You\u2019ll just enter the customs information<\/a> for each item in your shipment when creating the label in ShippingEasy. <\/p>\n\n\n

    HS codes <\/h3>\n\n\n

    In addition to customs descriptions, you should also provide Harmonized System (HS) codes for your items. HS codes<\/a> are six-digit classifications used to identify your product and its characteristics. HS codes are universal, helping bypass language barriers to move shipments through customs easier. This infographic from our carrier partner, GlobalPost<\/a>, does a great job of highlighting the requirements for HS codes. <\/p>\n\n\n

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    Military Mail with UPS <\/h2>\n\n\n

    Military Mail is handled by its own dedicated postal channel. For this reason, there\u2019s no need to list city or country names in a military address. In fact, you should actively avoid including city or country names because you don\u2019t want Military Mail to enter domestic or foreign postal networks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The military address format is straightforward. Use the service member\u2019s full name and title, followed by the unit and APO\/FPO number.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Here\u2019s an example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    SSGT RECEIVER\u2019S NAME
    UNIT 2050 BOX 4190
    APO AP 96278-2050<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    APO stands for Army Post Office (Army and Air Force installations), and FPO stands for Fleet Post Office (Navy installations and ships). As shown above, the APO or FPO designation is followed by one of:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    AA = Armed Forces of the Americas
    AE = Armed Forces of Europe
    AP = Armed Forces of the Pacific<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Followed by an extended zip code. When sending Military Mail, provide a return address on the front of the package.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Please note, for Military Mail, UPS utilizes UPS SurePost\u00ae service which is currently available for packages picked up within the 48 contiguous United States for delivery to residential addresses in the 48 contiguous United States, Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, U.S. Territories and to U.S. Post Office Boxes\u2122 and APO\/FPO\/DPO addresses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Learn more about UPS over in our blog<\/a>.<\/h6>\n\n\n

    Tips for shipping to a military address<\/h2>\n\n\n

    We\u2019ve gone over how to ship Military Mail, but how should you package these shipments? When shipping to a military address, you should: <\/p>\n\n\n\n