Post Offices and Mail Rooms

“Military Mail” is a general term for the class of mail that is sent to APOs and FPOs, not a class of mail in itself. The Department of Defense requires all Military Mail packages to include the full name of the soldier, his/her unit, the APO/FPO with a 9-digit zip code and a valid return address. APO/FPO addresses have “AA,” “AE” or “AP” listed where a state normally would be on an address label.

While you don’t need to fill out a customs form if you’re sending a letter via Military Mail, you do need to fill this form out if you’re sending a package that weighs more than a pound. You should list everything in your package on the form, as well as its final destination. Your parcel must be given to a USPS employee in order for it to be mailed to an APO/FPO.

Military Mail is a way for the average person to send mail to men and women serving in the armed forces who are stationed abroad without incurring additional postage fees. People deployed in the military also can use this service to send mail to other members of the military who are abroad for free. Packages can be sent by Military Mail to Army Post Offices (APOs) for people serving in the Army or Air Force and Fleet Post Offices (FPOs) for people serving in the Navy and missions in the water

Military Mail is the only way for a package to get mailed to an APO or FPO. UPS, FedEx and other shipping services aren’t able to send packages to this USPS offshoot. Packages sent by Military Mail must be less than 70 pounds and cannot include perishables, alcohol, firearms or explosive materials. Some APO/FPO addresses have additional restrictions.

Arrival time of Military Mail packages depend on the destination of the package or letter. Packages sent through First-Class Mail and Priority Mail typically take between 10 to 15 business days. Priority Mail Express, which is only available to certain destinations, takes 3 to 5 business days and Parcel Select Ground takes about 24 business days.

Customers mailing items to and from international destinations, including APO/FPO/DPO addresses, must provide detailed item descriptions on customs forms. First-Class Mail International letters containing only documents are not affected.

Our mail is shipped through the German Customs system which classifies it as International Mail.

1. All outbound international packages, including small personal gifts, e-commerce orders, and military and diplomatic mail (APO/FPO/DPO) must follow these rules.

2. Every item in your package needs an appropriately detailed description on the customs form.

3. Each description must be specific: Detailed descriptions should make it clear what the item is, what it's made of, and what its purpose is.
General descriptions such as “clothes,” “electronics,” or “gifts” are no longer acceptable. Descriptions must clearly identify the item, what it is made of, and its intended use.
For example, instead of a general category like "electronics," you must be specific about the type of electronics, like "laptop computer;" "mobile phone," or "television."

Failure to provide accurate and specific customs information may result in packages being delayed, rejected, returned, or destroyed by destination-country customs authorities.

Helpful tools:
U.S. Postal Service (USPS) Customs form creator⚠
USPS Harmonized System (HS) Code Lookup⚠

• Up to 45 days before arrival:
  You or your sponsor can email your respective Postal Service Center (PSC) a set of your orders
  -or-
  Your sponsor can stop by the respective PSC associated to where you will be assigned according to your orders.

• If you have already arrived at USAG Ansbach:
  You can stop by the respective PSC associated to where you will be assigned according to your orders.

PSC locations are:
Shipton Kaserne
Storck Barracks
All others are Katterbach Kaserne

Right now, we’re using two systems to notify you when a package arrives:

1. AMPS (amps.usps.gov) – sends email notifications for packages to be picked up at the service window during normal business hours.

2. Pitney Bowes Smart Locker System – sends email notifications from no-reply@pb.com when packages are placed in secure lockers for pick-up 24/7.

Important Reminder:

Some customers have accidentally deleted emails from no-reply@pb.com, thinking they were spam. As a result, they missed picking up their packages.

To help avoid confusion and missed pickups, here’s what you need to know:

What’s Changing:

• AMPS will continue to send emails for packages picked up at the service window.

• no-reply@pb.com will be used only for packages placed in smart lockers. Only registered customers will receive smart locker deliveries. If you’re not registered, your packages will stay at the service window.

How the Smart Locker System Works:

• The smart lockers provide a streamlined, contactless delivery process where customers receive an email with a barcode that they can use at the kiosk to retrieve their packages 24/7.

• The mail lockers are located at Katterbach Kaserne, Shipton, and Storck Barracks and pickup availability is related to a patron’s assigned mailbox location.

• Soldiers, DoD Civilians, family members, and retirees with a local APO mailbox are eligible to use the new smart lockers.

• Your package will go in a locker only if you’re registered, the item fits, and a locker is available.

• Registered customers will receive locker pickup emails from no-reply@pb.com.

• If you prefer not to use the smart lockers, just let us know—we’ll make sure your packages stay at the service window.

How to Register for Locker Delivery:

• Stop by the Postal Service Center front counter or complete the online form at https://forms.osi.apps.mil/r/G5aV7mswsq.

• Provide your name, mailbox number, and personal email address (not a .mil).

• You can also add the email address of any authorized family member.

You can request for the Post Office to hold your mail if you are on leave, TDY or on medical leave. Visit https://forms.osi.apps.mil/r/Djy9pMWZ6q.