Shipping To APO Address

LeeG

I had a fellow Board Member win one of my coins. Has an APO address. I've seen a couple post's here with some horror stories about Military Mail delivery. Sold for $30. Looking for some ideas on correct shipping method to ensure safe delivery to the correct person. Thanks, Lee

MadMarty

Priority Insured, and you need a customs form...

Outhaul

Don't believe all the crap you hear about the APO/FPO system. I was stationed overseas for years and never had lost mail, nor did anyone else I know.

Cheers,

Bob

dldallen

Lee,

Have lived with my APO address for over nine years now and can only relate one missing shipment. It was insured and the claim was paid. My collections continually change and the most expensive coins I've handled were several thousand each. With that background, I heavily rely on the APO service and can say with certainty that I fully trust it as an extension of the US Postal Service and even more. The military extension takes even more care of the mails and has extra steps and rules to further secure the mails.

As the Postmaster at our APO, I can tell you the biggest things we help folks with as far as shipping:

1) Package very securely - as you would any item even mailed in the states of value
2) Insure the item - under $50 is not signed for or tracked, but it is protection. Some folks like to over-insure to get the tracking and signature comfort. It won't get you any more restitution though if the item comes up missing.
3) Signature receipt works but doesn't give you any coverage if the item is lost
4) Don't waste the 45 cents on Delivery Confirmation - USPS will sell it to you but it only tracks the item to the APO hubs (Miami, NY, and SF). There is no tracking mechanism at APOs outside the USA. Our APO still logs these items and obtains signatures for them but that is an extra step we take and is not a requirement. Most APOs do not take this step as they are busier than our small APO.
5) Use the proper Customs Form. If less than 16 ounces and $50.00 value, the small green form. If you request any additional service (over $50 insurance, return receipt, etc), then you must use the large Customs Form. Since 9/11, a package without a customs form will be tagged for surface or cargo aircraft only which will greatly slow delivery. Also be truthful on the form - you are signing a legal document and folks have been charged and fined for filing false documents.

Could go on forever but an APO is simply a military extension of the US Postal Service to areas where the USPS does not provide service. You can find similar horror stories for items shipped within the USA or within the same state for that matter. Bottom line is to properly package, insure, and document the item, wherever you ship it. The only difference you will find is that APO mail is typically slower due to the greater distance required to travel and the fewer options available to lift mails to these far off places.

Drop me a PM if you need any further assistance and rest assured, the military will get the mail through if the USPS gets the mail to them! Dave

LeeG

Thanks for all the help. I'm retired Navy so I have a long history with FPO's. Been a few years since I retired so I just wanted some updated info. Appreciate It! Lee

Bikingnut

It's not as bad as it sounds. Can be a little slower. If it is going overseas, yes you will need to fill out a customs form. Back in 1988 while I was on board the USS Carl Vinson in the Indian Ocean, me and a buddy bought a bag of 5000 "unsearched" wheats. Although it took a while, it did eventually make it to us. Mail was a lot slower getting to the ship then too.

joeyuk

Bikingnut, we had the USS Carl Vinson along side many times. I was on the USS Seattle from 80-84.

itsnotjustme

I've been in Brussels for 6 months now. Never a lost package out of a couple dozen so far. Just send insured (if cost warrents) and don't forget the customs form. Numismatic items attracts less attention than valuable coins.

mayor1

In my 17 years overseas, shipped and received many coins with never a loss. USAF 1963-84.

TWQG

I waive the shipping costs to APO's.

coppercoins

I worked in an APO (09090) while stationed in Germany. It started out as a detail I was assigned to do for a weekend and turned into a two year relationship and volunteer job with those stationed there to do the work. I helped out, played football with them, went out with them - it was a great time. Never had any trouble at all with my mail, and did what I could not to cause problems for others. As for horror stories, I don't know of any.

eyoung429

Holy cow......I was alongside a few times as well.....back in '84 to '87

USS Roanoke AOR7 MR

Got out of the navy found my wife and have lived here in Cali since.....

DDR

I received coins for many years through APO and never had a problem. When our APO postmaster saw a package for me in the incoming mail that looked like it contained a coin, he would call me up at my office right away to let me know there was a coin from the States waiting for me. Great service!