How to Send Packages to Servicemen in Afghanistan

Army Post Office, or APO, number addresses are used worldwide to send mail using the U.S. Postal Service, USPS to servicemen located abroad. Mail is sent using the regular USPS services and normally there are no additional international charges for sending mail to service members located abroad. If you want to send packages to servicemen in Afghanistan, you will need the service member's full name, the service member's unit and APO Box number and nine-digit zip code.

Instructions

1. Bring the package you want to send to to your local post office.

2. Prepare the shipping label for the package.

3. Place your name and return address information in the upper-left corner of the shipping label.

4. Place the service member's address in the lower-right portion of the label. Put the service member's full name on the first line. Put the service member's unit and APO number on the second line. Put the nine-digit zip code on the third line.

5. Give the package to the postal clerk and pay the required shipping fee.

Tips & Warnings

• Packages shipped to an APO box in Afghanistan generally can not exceed 70 pounds and a combined length and girth measurement of 130 inches. You have to use USPS to ship a package to an APO box. You should not ship firearms, alcohol, perishable foodstuffs and hazardous items to APO boxes.

• As Afghanistan is considered an active war zone, package delivery delays are possible.

References

• USPS: Military Addressing Tips
• APOAddress: APO Number Address
• Oconus: Restrictions on Shipping to APO FPO Addresses