Shipping to APO, FPO, and DPO Addresses

Standard Operating Procedure (SOP)

Shipping to APO / FPO / DPO Addresses

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1. Scope and Definitions

APO / FPO / DPO
Military mail destinations. These are handled through USPS regardless of physical overseas location.

• APO – Army / Air Force Post Office
• FPO – Fleet Post Office (Navy / Marines)
• DPO – Diplomatic Post Office

Key Rule:
All APO/FPO/DPO shipments are treated as USPS shipments, not FedEx, UPS, or DHL.

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2. Shipment Type Decision

Before quoting or processing, determine shipment type:

A. Small Parcel Shipment (Standard Process)

Use USPS directly when:

• Shipment consists of individual boxes
• Total shipment is manageable (typically < ~10–15 boxes)
• No palletization required

B. Large Shipment (Consolidation Required)

Use consolidation when:

• Shipment is palletized or large volume
• Example:
  • 1,000 backers + 5,000 targets
  • 20+ boxes
• USPS direct shipment becomes inefficient or cost-prohibitive

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3. Small Parcel Workflow (USPS Direct)

Step 1: Prepare Box Data

For each box:

• Measure dimensions (L × W × H)
• Determine weight
• Identify contents (if needed for internal reference)

Important Rules:

• Each box must be processed individually
• USPS does not support multi-box quoting in a single entry
• Even identical boxes must be entered separately (or calculated once and multiplied)

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Step 2: Use USPS Rate Calculator

Navigate to: USPS.com → Calculate a Price

Input:

• Ship From ZIP Code: 55449 (Action Target) (confirm if needed)
• Ship To:
  • City: APO / FPO / DPO
  • State: AE / AP / AA (auto-populates)
  • ZIP: Provided by customer (e.g., 09439)

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Step 3: Enter Package Details

For each box:

• Weight
• Dimensions
• Quantity = 1

Repeat for each box OR:

• If identical boxes:
  • Calculate one box
  • Multiply cost by total quantity

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Step 4: Select Service Type

General guidance:

• USPS Priority Mail → Preferred for APO/FPO/DPO
• USPS Retail Ground / Standard → Rarely used for military mail

Note:

• APO/FPO/DPO is technically treated as domestic mail but behaves like international
• Priority typically offers better reliability

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Step 5: Calculate Total Shipping Cost

• Sum all individual box costs

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Step 6: Apply Markup

Apply standard margin:

• Typical: 10%–20%
  

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Step 7: Provide Quote

Deliver:

• Total shipping cost (with markup)
• Service type (Priority recommended)

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4. Large Shipment Workflow (Consolidation Required)

Step 1: Identify Consolidation Need

Trigger conditions:

• Pallet shipment
• Excessive number of boxes
• High USPS cost or labor burden

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Step 2: Contact Customer

Request the following:

“Please provide a stateside consolidation point address and all required routing information for forwarding to your unit.”

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Step 3: Required Customer Information

Customer must provide:

• Consolidation point address (U.S.-based)
• Unit information (final destination)
• Required identifiers (if applicable):
  • TCN number
  • DSN number
  • Unit number
  • Contact name (e.g., John Doe)
• Any special labeling instructions

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Step 4: Create Sales Order

Ship-To Address

• Enter consolidation point address

Order Notes

Include ALL provided routing data:

• Final APO/FPO/DPO destination
• Unit identifiers
• Contact details
• Any special instructions

Principle:
More information is always better for downstream handling.

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Step 5: Create Shipment Placard (Required)

Create a document (Word or equivalent) containing:

• Final destination (APO/FPO/DPO)
• Unit information
• TCM / DSN / routing numbers
• Contact name

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Step 6: Labeling and Placement

For palletized shipments:

• Print placard
• Attach:
  • Front of pallet
  • Back of pallet

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Step 7: Shipment Execution

• Ship to consolidation point via standard domestic carrier - may be any LTL carrier.
• After delivery:
  • Consolidator assumes responsibility
  • They route shipment to final APO/FPO/DPO destination

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5. How Consolidation Routing Works

The consolidator determines final routing based on:

• Information on placard
• Sales order / packing slip data
• Internal military logistics systems

Key Insight:
You do NOT control final leg routing.
Your responsibility is to provide complete and accurate data.

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6. Edge Cases and Exceptions

A. Customer Insists on Direct USPS (Large Order)

• Possible but inefficient
• Requires:
  • Manual calculation of every box
  • Potentially very high cost (e.g., $8,000+)
• Proceed only with customer approval

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B. Customer Does Not Know Consolidation Process

Guide them:

“Please check with your logistics or supply chain contact for a consolidation shipping address and required routing information.”

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C. Mixed Box Types

If boxes differ:

• Each must be calculated separately
• No batching allowed

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7. Key Rules Summary

• USPS is mandatory for APO/FPO/DPO
• No FedEx, UPS, or DHL
• Each box must be quoted individually
• Large shipments require consolidation
• Always collect routing data from customer
• Always include redundant labeling

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8. Quick Decision Flow

1. Is shipment small (few boxes)?
   • YES → USPS direct
   • NO → Go to consolidation
2. Is shipment palletized or large volume?
   • YES → Request consolidation point
   • NO → USPS direct

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9. Operational Best Practices

• Always over-communicate shipping constraints
• Avoid underestimating labor for large USPS shipments
• Default to consolidation for anything non-trivial
• Include redundant routing info on:
  • Sales order
  • Packing slip
  • Physical labels