Must read! Shipping to APO/FPO/DPO!!!!!

[manari06]

Hello everyone!!! I'm not trying to start a war with this thread but I think that it is necessary to addressed this a bit. I'm currently stationed in Germany and like me there's tens of thousands more service members all over the world.

I'm a firm supporter of this forum and the sponsors so this is why I purchase everything I need for my cars from here; but there’s a lot of confusion when it comes to shipping to APO/FPO/DPO addresses. Firstable it is a Domestic US address! Even though we are in a different country USPS charges domestic rates for shipping.

This is how shipping to those addresses works! You shipped a package thru USPS which is the only and economical way to ship to this addresses, USPS handles the package and ships it out from APO/FPO/DPO HUBS mainly in NY or SF and then handles the package over to the Military Postal Service (MPS) who takes over the package and delivers the package to its final destination. The Military Post office does not charge for flying the package to its destination so we are only paying USPS for delivering to the HUB.
When mailing from APO/FPO/DPO to APO/FPO/DPO it is totally free up to 70 pounds; Only when mailing from APO/FPO/DPO to regular Domestic address is when you have to pay for shipping because is a reverse process. I'm not saying that consumers shouldn't have to pay for shipping but let’s make it fair and not over inflate shipping charges. I'm not singling out any sponsor or private seller just educating so that there be less confusions and more happy buyers. It is a win situation for everyone.

Processing Military Mail
The Postal Service places APO/FPO mail on international commercial passenger service and
International cargo service aircraft from New York or San Francisco. When the plane lands overseas, the mail is tendered to the Military. The mail is then handled by Military Postal Service (Civilian) representative and transported to the Military Post Office for distribution to the service member’s unit for delivery to the recipient. The Military Postal Service Agency (MPSA) is an extension of the United States Postal Service providing Department of Defense personnel, their family members and other authorized users mail services around the world

APO/FPO addresses are not international addresses. Many businesses feel that because our
Customers reside in a foreign country; military mail goes through an international system. All mail goes through the United States Postal Service at the same rate you would pay for delivery to a US address.

This is where I gathered some of the info from. It is a PDF

file.http://www.shopmyexchange.com/Images...s/apoguide.pdf

https://www.usps.com/ship/apo-fpo-guidelines.htm

Our military service members and diplomatic personnel work hard for us overseas. Far from home, few things brighten their days more than mail from friends and loved ones. Although for APO/FPO/DPO shipments you pay domestic prices, you’ll need to follow special guidelines.

This should be a sticky!!!

[nbennettksu]

Good info; and thank you for your service!

[Cyclone Chris]

Well said. I'm tired of multiple BMW dealers tell me that its against the rules to Ship APO. I think they get lazy to just fill out a customs declaration form on anything besides letters.

[manari06]

Originally Posted by nbennettksu

Good info; and thank you for your service!

Just trying to clear the smoke and stigma about it!

[THE TECH]

Originally Posted by Cyclone Chris

Well said. I'm tired of multiple BMW dealers tell me that its against the rules to Ship APO. I think they get lazy to just fill out a customs declaration form on anything besides letters.

I'd bet that's the case 99% of the time.

[manari06]

Originally Posted by THE TECH

I'd bet that's the case 99% of the time.

Yup I bet also! I ordered wheels VMR 710 a little over a week ago and I know I got over charged for shipping but now I'm prepared and It won't happen again. I still got more upgrade parts to order so if they tried to give me the run around and bullshit me I'll take my busisness some place else.

[gallian93]

"Firstable" this is good info to know...
jk ... i know i shouldn't .... but i couldn't resist... flame on!!!

[manari06]

Originally Posted by gallian93

"Firstable" this is good info to know...
jk ... i know i shouldn't .... but i couldn't resist... flame on!!!

LOL!!!

[Poofyo101]

Actually the percentage of lost packages shipped to APO addresses are much higher for my online business than normal us addresses.
This could effect why businesses do not want to ship them to APO addresses.

[M3AN///AW]

In my experience, there are a number of vendors that are absolutely top notch when purchasing items and getting them shipped here to Germany at minimal cost. On a few occasions, the vendor didn't even charge me for shipping because I was military. Customer service folks, is what will bring buyers back every time.

[Moxie]

Originally Posted by M3AN///AW

In my experience, there are a number of vendors that are absolutely top notch when purchasing items and getting them shipped here to Germany at minimal cost. On a few occasions, the vendor didn't even charge me for shipping because I was military. Customer service folks, is what will bring buyers back every time.

List the ones that don't charge shipping....I had one that wanted to charge $50 extra to send a set of wheels casue they had to fill out the customs form -

[manari06]

Originally Posted by Poofyo101

Actually the percentage of lost packages shipped to APO addresses are much higher for my online business than normal us addresses.
This could effect why businesses do not want to ship them to APO addresses.

I know that packages get lost from time to time but the post office and the Military post office are very good at delivering and getting the packages to its final destination. I've been deployed 4 times and currently in Afghanistan never had any issues getting packages delivered here in Afghanistan so I know that Germany is even easier to get them on a timely manner. But for me is about charging the fair shipping charges as proven on this thread it is a domestic address and vendors should charge a domestic rate; also we can always insured the packages.

[Moxie]

Originally Posted by manari06

I know that packages get lost from time to time but the post office and the Military post office are very good at delivering and getting the packages to its final destination. I've been deployed 4 times and currently in Afghanistan never had any issues getting packages delivered here in Afghanistan so I know that Germany is even easier to get them on a timely manner. But for me is about charging the fair shipping charges as proven on this thread it is a domestic address and vendors should charge a domestic rate; also we can always insured the packages.

The only time anything arrived damaged was because it wasn't properly packaged by the vender trying to cram too much in a box w/o necessary packing materiel.....

[quality_sound]

Agreed. I never had an issue with lost or damaged packages when I was in Germany. Priority Mail takes about a week and that's MILES better than the 30-45 days Parcel Post takes.

I know Tire Rack doesn't charge any extra for shipping Priority to APO/FPO addresses.

[manari06]

Originally Posted by quality_sound

Agreed. I never had an issue with lost or damaged packages when I was in Germany. Priority Mail takes about a week and that's MILES better than the 30-45 days Parcel Post takes.

I know Tire Rack doesn't charge any extra for shipping Priority to APO/FPO addresses.

Yup ordered winter tires for my new M3 same time I ordered the wheels and just paid $86.00 for shipping thru Tire Rack

[positiveions]

Originally Posted by Cyclone Chris

Well said. I'm tired of multiple BMW dealers tell me that its against the rules to Ship APO. I think they get lazy to just fill out a customs declaration form on anything besides letters.

Agreed. People are lazy. Need to address this to BMW.
It's enough you guys pay the price, and place your life in harm's way.
God bless you all. And thank you for your services.

[ottoblotto]

All of my purchases with vendors or private always start with: "Would you mind shipping to APO AE? You can do a flat rate Priority mail box through USPS and its the same as shipping to NY/NJ." 95% of the time they are like no problem. Only a few have said no due to previous experience with lost mail. But, I tell them that they can also request signature confirmation to make them more at ease. Things can be done, its up to the seller if they want my money or the next seller can have it...

[manari06]

Originally Posted by positiveions

Agreed. People are lazy. Need to address this to BMW.
It's enough you guys pay the price, and place your life in harm's way.
God bless you all. And thank you for your services.

Yup or some just because we are military and overseas try to take advantage.

[Cyclone Chris]

On a positive note, I have to give props to Tischer BMW and IND. they had my parts shipped out APO the same day, and I received them 5 days later in England. Since I'm currently in Germany my wife calls me and tells me why I'm receiving parts from BMW even before I take delivery of the actual car. The downside of the customs form is that hey put down a value. So now I owe the wifey something. Lol.

On average I have 1-2 pkgs shipped APO every month. Whether it be Afganistan, Saudi, UK, or whatever other country. I've never had one lost. The Military Mail System is very reliable.

[manari06]

Originally Posted by ottoblotto

All of my purchases with vendors or private always start with: "Would you mind shipping to APO AE? You can do a flat rate Priority mail box through USPS and its the same as shipping to NY/NJ." 95% of the time they are like no problem. Only a few have said no due to previous experience with lost mail. But, I tell them that they can also request signature confirmation to make them more at ease. Things can be done, its up to the seller if they want my money or the next seller can have it...

Yeah Bro! this is what I'm saying, is not free plus we are paying for shipping just don't try to take us for a ride! bottom line is that all the post office charges is a domestic rate so they can not play that international shipping game. I hope that with this info military overseas buyer are better informed and armed, and for the sellers to realize that some of us did our home work on this.

[manari06]

Originally Posted by Cyclone Chris

On a positive note, I have to give props to Tischer BMW and IND. they had my parts shipped out APO the same day, and I received them 5 days later in England. Since I'm currently in Germany my wife calls me and tells me why I'm receiving parts from BMW even before I take delivery of the actual car. The downside of the customs form is that hey put down a value. So now I owe the wifey something. Lol.

On average I have 1-2 pkgs shipped APO every month. Whether it be Afganistan, Saudi, UK, or whatever other country. I've never had one lost. The Military Mail System is very reliable.

Yeah Bro I know what you mean! My car is not built yet it will be by the end of the month or begining of December and I already ordered wheels, winter tires and paddle shifters for it! The wife tells me the same thing. I know that theres good sponsors here that will ship fast and are reliable this is why I buy from the sponsors on here, but they all need to realize how much more business they will get if shipping charges to APO AE are fair.

[luis_m3]

Originally Posted by ottoblotto

All of my purchases with vendors or private always start with: "Would you mind shipping to APO AE? You can do a flat rate Priority mail box through USPS and its the same as shipping to NY/NJ." 95% of the time they are like no problem. Only a few have said no due to previous experience with lost mail. But, I tell them that they can also request signature confirmation to make them more at ease. Things can be done, its up to the seller if they want my money or the next seller can have it...

Exactly... I am also stationed in Germany and if a certain business/company does not want to ship to an APO add... Oh well, move on to the next one. I don't stress about it- for sure I don't see the need to write an essay on it.