See: https://faq.usps.com/s/article/How-Do-I-Address-Military-Mail
Make sure you include the unit and box numbers, for APO/FPO/DPO shipping addresses (if assigned). To prevent mail from entering foreign mail networks, do not include city or country names in APO/FPO/DPO shipping addresses.
Address Standards
Overseas military addresses must conform to domestic addressing standards. For additional information, visit the Addressing Military & Diplomatic Mail.
The delivery line (the second line from the bottom in the address) must show the word “UNIT”, “CMR” (Community Mail Room), or “PSC” (Postal Service Center) and number; and box number assigned.
- The last line must contain the APO or FPO designation, the appropriate two-letter "state" abbreviation, (AA, AE, or AP) followed by the ZIP+4® or five-digit ZIP Code™ number (when applicable "United States" or "USA" would be the country name utilized).
- "AA" (Armed Forces of the Americas) replaces the previous designation of Miami (340).
- "AE" (Armed Forces of Europe) replaces the previous designation of New York (090-098).
- "AP" (Armed Forces of the Pacific) replaces the previous designation of San Francisco (962-966).
Example of a Military (APO/FPO) Address
The Department of Defense (DoD) has requested that those who send mail use the service member’s full name (with or without grade, rank, etc.), or a specific title (e.g., Commanding Officer, Supply Officer, etc.). Also required is the unit designation and APO/FPO (Air/Army Post Office™ or Fleet Post Office location) information with the nine-digit ZIP Code™ number (if one is assigned) and a return street name/number, city, state, and ZIP Code.
For parcels, mailers are asked to write on one side only with the recipient’s information in the lower right portion.
Note: Do not include the country or the base camp’s city, as it might be routed through the host country’s mail system.
Address Format for (APO/FPO) Military Mail Going to a Dependent
- Mail addressed to dependents must include the following:
- Full name (includes first name, middle name or initial, and last names)
- C / O full name (includes first name, middle name or initial, and last name)
- "OPC", "UPR", "UNIT”, “CPR”, or “PSC” and number; and box number assigned
- APO or FPO (“city”) designation and the appropriate two-letter AA, AE, or AP (“state”) abbreviation followed by the ZIP Code™ or ZIP+4® Code number.
- Address Format for Sending Mail to a Diplomatic Post Office (DPO)
- Effective January 18, 2009 the Postal Service makes a distinction between diplomatic overseas mail and military mail.
- A Diplomatic Post Office (DPO) is a designated USPS® civilian Post Office™ location that falls under the jurisdiction of the postmaster of either New York City or San Francisco. These facilities are operated and managed by the Department of State to serve overseas personnel at American embassies and consulates. DPO is the preferred name for mail addressed to Department of State overseas offices.
- Customers shipping items to a DPO address in a Priority Mail® large flat-rate box will pay the same price for the Priority Mail large flat-rate box as for a box shipped to an APO/FPO address.
With this change, DPO last line address information must contain the DPO designation and the appropriate two-letter state abbreviation (AA, AE, or AP), followed by the ZIP+4® or 5-digit ZIP Code™ number.
Military Mail ZIP Code™ Areas
On July 15, 1991, the military APO/FPO/DPO (Army Post Office/Fleet Post Office/Diplomatic Post Office) overseas ZIP Code™ areas were aligned to reflect the overseas location of the ZIP Code number. Addresses served by the military postal system now have a standardized address format.
Generally the three-digit service areas are:
- 090-092 Germany
- 093 Contingency
- 094 United Kingdom
- 095 Atlantic / Mediterranean Ships
- 096 Italy, Spain
- 097 Other Europe,
- 098 Middle East/Africa
- 340 Americas (Not US or Canada)
- 962 Korea
- 964 Philippines
- 965 Other Pacific / Alaska
- 966 Pacific / Indian Ocean Ships