Shipping info for APO/FPO address - plus FREE materials from the post office

[Mary, Proud Mom of Nick]

Flat-Rate Box vs Alternative Shipping Options
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This is probably a "refresher" for most people, but as there are lots of new people around, and we also have people who view the forum and do not join, so I thought that I would just take a moment to post some practical information about shipping to military guys and gals.

Not all that long ago, the U.S. Postal Service starting offering a new flat-rate box just for use to sending to military guys & gals (APO/FPO addresses). This box measures 12X12X5.5" and the current shipping cost is $10.95 (or $10.50 if you print the postage online). You must use a special flat-rate box for this, which you can order for free at www.usps.com Click on Supplies on the lower left and then click on flat-rate. Though some post offices stock these boxes, not all of them do, and often they are also out-of-stock, so it's HIGHLY recommended that you order your own supply. You can order as few as 10, and again, they are free to order, and there's no shipping cost. BUT this may not be your best/least expensive shipping option.

Smaller flat-rate boxes are also available, which are not specific to use for military mail. There are two different shapes, and each are a flat-shipping-rate of $9.80 ($9.30 if you print online). These boxes can also be ordered at www.usps.com Though it's true that the larger military box is probably better, so that you can pack more into it, if you don't need such a box, then this will save you just a little.

How much does it weigh? This is always an important question, because often times 5-pounds is kind of a general rule of the "breaking point" of if you should send it Priority Mail flat-rate box, or if Parcel Post would be less expensive. Most postage rates are now calculate by where you're shipping from, and where you are shipping to, so you always want to look online to see what is going to be the best option for you. Never assume that a flat-rate box is always going to give you the best price, because if what you're sending is not very heavy, then you could be overpaying. Go to www.usps.com and click on Calculate Postage at the top. Use the Domestic calculations, even if the package is going overseas to a military person. If you have a compatible printer, and you're able to print the postage online, you can save a little bit of money for some services. A scale comes in very handy, but not all of us have a postage scale. You can get a rough idea of the weight by weighing yourself on your bathroom scale, and then weighing yourself holding the package. FYI, most bathroom scales do not do very well with light-weight packages, so most people find weighing themselves and then themselves holding the package works better. If you ship frequently, you may wish to invest in an inexpensive scale. I have found good buys on eBay in the past.


What are you shipping? This is a VERY important question. If you're new to shipping, you may not know about Media Mail. This is a special category for items such as CD's, books, DVD's, etc. Below is the exact information from the US Postal Service website. You can save a LOT of money by using Media Mail, but it is NOT for items other than those listed below. Media Mail is priced by the pound. You pay the same amount if you're shipping 8 ounces or 13 ounces or 1 pound. So if you have a package which is 1 pound 4 ounces, then perhaps you can find something else to go with it, like another CD, DVD, or book. . . because in this example, you're going to pay the same amount all the way up to 2 pounds.


Media Mail is used for books, film, manuscripts, printed music, printed test materials, sound recordings, play scripts, printed educational charts, loose-leaf pages and binders consisting of medical information, videotapes, and computer-recorded media like CDs and diskettes. Media Mail cannot contain advertising.

You can also order the customs forms online, so that you can keep a stack of them at your desk. Again, they are free, and you find them in the same area as the boxes at www.usps.com Often people ask "Which form do I use?" Yes, there are two forms. The "green" form 2976 and the multi-page "white" form 2976-A. You can see details of when to use these forms by clicking HERE, but for the most part, the green form 2976 is for packages 16oz or less, and the "white" for 2976-A is for everything else. If you're ordering the forms online, you may also wish to order some of 2976E, which is the clear envelope for the larger "white" form 2976-A. For those who enjoy doing things on the computer, you can complete and print-out the forms online by clicking HERE. If you create an account, it will fill-in the sender information for you. Though you might think this is more of a "hassle", there's lots of the information you do not need to enter, and once you've done it a few times, it's very quick and easy. Also, this means that you do not have to keep customs forms handy, and you do not have to fill them out by hand. You simply complete them online, print them out, and sign/date. FYI, the "white" 2976-A customs form will add weight to your package. If you're shipping something which is 15 ounces, and you think you're just under a pound. . . you won't be after you add the customs form and envelope. The post office calculates the rate AFTER everything has been attached. (See below about Shipping Assistant too)


Some people think if they ship things Priority Mail that it will get there faster. Not necessarily. Click HERE to read the thread about how military mail is handled. Priority Mail might get to the "gateway" point a little faster, but once it is put on the plane to "cross-the-water", it is all treated the same. It's usually not worth the extra $$ to pay for Priority Mail if there is a less expensive option.

If you ship a lot, you may wish to consider using a service such as Endicia. You can read the thread I posted about it by clicking HERE. Another option, which I have used before and is FREE from the U.S. Postal Service is "Shipping Assistant". This is software you download and works quite well. You can either print a label with the postage included, or just the label. It also prints customs forms. You can find out about it by clicking HERE.


Other miscellaneous tips on shipping:

If you are using a flat-rate box, PACK IT FULL! You're paying the same price, no matter the weight, so do not leave any "empty" space. I usually keep some little items like jelly beans, mints, stationery, etc. around to "fill-in-the-gaps". If items are individually wrapped/packaged (like packets of hot chocolate) then I will take them out of the box and put them in a zip-loc bag so that I have more room to pack more items inside the box.

Packing material - I have read, several times, that it's usually not good to use "packing peanuts" and it's better to use newspaper for packing.

Place items which have any possibility at all of opening or melting in a zip-loc bag.

Don't ship "smelly" hygiene items with food items. You'll have cookies tasting like soap!
Invest in tape. . . LOTS of tape! I have never heard anyone say "you used too much tape"! Tape is your friend. Use it like you've never used it before. The box is going for a LONG ride. FYI, you can sometimes find Priority Mail tape at the post office for free. You can't order it online though. But if you use the free Priority Mail tape at the post office, and you're using a flat-rate box, make sure you do not cover the "flat-rate" information. Honestly though, this tape is not very strong, and you're better with the clear plastic tape. Do what I call an "H" on the top and the bottom of the box. . .at least. If it's a large box, you will want to go around the middle as well. Again. .. don't be afraid to use the tape!

If you print postage online, or through Endicia, most post offices will allow you to bypass the line, and place your package on the counter. Bonus!
Delivery confirmation. Though it's now offered for APO/FPO. . . IT DOESN'T USUALLY WORK. It's "free" if you're shipping Priority Mail and using the online postage. . but. . don't worry if you do not find any information about it when you try to track the package. If it's free, then no problem. . . but I do NOT recommend paying for this service. 99% of the time that I have used it (and honestly I've never seen it work for APO/FPO, but I'm still going to say 99%) you will see no delivery confirmation when you track it.

Don't forget that there's also flat-rate envelopes. The cost is $4.80 ($4.75 online) and can sometimes come in handy, depending upon what you're shipping. Again, they can be ordered at www.usps.com
If you're sending canned items to a remote area, think about adding some plastic spoons/forks/knives/napkins. If something is going to have to be poured into a bowl to heat-up, then you might also think about adding some microwavable bowls. If you're sending items which need a can-opener, then you might want to include them. If given the choice, choose items with a pop-top lid.

Don't forget to add a personalized note or letter to each box you send, so that the guys/girls in uniform will know how much they are appreciated.

[Molly Molly Fo Folly]

Amazing simply Amazing.....
Fantastic info !!!