Shipping to an APO address

[YELLAHEEP]

I'm trying to get a shipping quote on a pair of BIGoffroad leaf packs for a guy wanting them shipped to an APO address in New York.

The spring manufacturer uses UPS and UPS told them they can't ship to an APO address as it's US Post Office specific. :dunno:

Anyone know about shipping large items to an APO address and if there's certain stipulations or conditions?

Thanks!

[ECKSJAY]

There's no possibility of a physical address in New York? We had stuff shipped to our boxes at our unit all the time. We just had a box number at a physical address...and a soldier worked in the mail room (at the unit building). UPS used to deliver to us all the time.

[YELLAHEEP]

This is what I gave them and UPS said they couldn't deliver to an APO, and added that they didn't recognize the zip code...... :dunno:

598th Trans Group
PSC 72, Box 44
APO AE 09709

[kunaji]

That APO is for a place in the Netherlands. The 838th seems to be from Rotterdam. Maybe that's where the confusion is.

[tbburg]

APOs are for post office use, and they're unit/base specific. The system is set up to allow the post office to deliver us mail to units overseas. They don't represent a physical place in the US.
To ship to one, you have to use the Post office(which you already know) and follow their rules. Otherwise, you have to ship to the physical address. 'Hope the friend isn't in the Navy.(ships also have APO addresses :D)

[YELLAHEEP]

Yeah, I'm not sure what's up with this guy. He types with real broken english - not sure he's an American Serviceman of any kind..........

Anyway,first he says the APO is New York, then when I tell him UPS doesn't recognize the Zip Code, he e-mails back all pissy. He says UPS is lying to me because they don't want to ship to an APO address and THEN tells me it is in fact in Rotterdam, Netherlands.

I've been down this road before a few months ago - had another potential customer in the Netherlands that wanted some leaf packs. UPS direct shipping was well over $600 so he looked into having them sent to a boat-based container shipper but even that was over $300 and he was having a hard time feeling like he'd get good honest service going that route. Details in this thread: http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=980400&highlight=shipping

Anyway, I doubt I'm gonna find a way that isn't gonna cost a bundle to the customer....... :dunno:

[8Mud]

I've paid a little extra (special handling) and had manufacturers have an employee hand carry the item to the nearest post office. The shipping paid is to NY (or where ever the APO central dispersing unit is for that area of the globe). No big deal, just a little out of the ordinary. From NY the military delivers it world wide for free. A lot of East Coast mail order tire places send APO all the time, with no problems.
Many, most of the manufacturers even have an APO drop down in there order form and have figured out that with nearly a million people in uniform and a bunch of State Department scattered all over the world, it pays to be flexible.

UPS and Fed Ex don't (though they have on occasion) deliver to the NY APO. Some kind of on again off again feud.

This sight may help, http://www.oconus.com/ZipCodes.asp . I guess APO fraud is becoming more common.

I've used furniture movers who specialize in overseas deliveries before and gotten a whole motor delivered for a reasonable price ($300). The down side is it can take a month and a half to two months for delivery.

[fscrig75]

APO- Army Post Office
AE- Army Europe, this covers all services
AP- Army Pacific, again covering all services

The reason it shows up as NY is that is the location of the main receiving and sorting location before it heads overseas. A few years ago you used to be able to put APO, NY 00000; as a shipping address if the company tried to say they didn't send to APOs.

I think your running into such a big problem with UPS is that they need a physical address to ship to. Something like this, for international;

Name
Unit
Building Number
Street Name
Zip Code, City
Country

Now if I was a betting man, and I am, I would say this guy is probably a civilian working on a base there and using the Units mailing address to buy something from the states. It gets through customs a lot easier, and he won't have to pay some crazy amount of tax, from the host nation, either.

To use the APO address you will have to ship it through the USPS.

If you want to use UPS you need to ask him for the local mailing address and then just throw the country underneath the entire address. But this option is going to cause him to have to pay customs fees and probably a heavy tax from the government.

[YELLAHEEP]

Great info 8Mud/fscrig75 - Thanks!

I dunno if I can get the manufacturer to make the special switch to USPS and drop off 105 lbs of leaf packs...... but if they will, then if I understand correctly, I simply charge the customer for USPS shipping rate to the NY APO address? He'll be responsible for any other expenses once it arrives at the NY APO?

[8Mud]

Great info 8Mud/fscrig75 - Thanks!

I dunno if I can get the manufacturer to make the special switch to USPS and drop off 105 lbs of leaf packs...... but if they will, then if I understand correctly, I simply charge the customer for USPS shipping rate to the NY APO address? He'll be responsible for any other expenses once it arrives at the NY APO?
That's pretty much how it works, but you also have to have the sender break it down into separate packages so the weight isn't over 60 lbs. (used to be 70 lbs. but it changes so check the oconus site for the latest weight limitation info). If it's over weight they'll just send it back. But to tell you the truth I've shipped tires that were likely over 70 Lbs., so I'm guessing there may be a little flexibility in the limit.
You may also want to specify "space available mail" SAM, or priority mail. It's extra but gets flown over. SAM is often just as fast as priority, but a whole lot cheaper. The post office will usually advise the sender on the proper markings, the customs paperwork and such. The proper customs form and SAM marked in big letters with an ink marker on the box will usually get it where it's going.
I had a spring set sent over from Summit, they didn't even put it in a box. The APO address was pasted to the spring pack (along with the customs form) and covered in clear tape, with an additional shoe tag with the address as insurance (in case the other was scratched or damaged). The party pack (U joints, bushings and pins) where sent in a separate box.
Used to be UPS would deliver to the nearest Post Office (closest to the sender) and from there it would make it's way to the NY APO. But rumor has it the drivers bitched about having to stand in line at the post office, pretty much the same with the NY APO. Though there are also some security concerns likely mixed in with the process also. They really prefer a face and name to go with most packages to an APO.

[fscrig75]

I simply charge the customer for USPS shipping rate to the NY APO address? He'll be responsible for any other expenses once it arrives at the NY APO?


Right, though once it reaches the APO there shouldn't be anymore charges, its in the military system then.