Mailing Address - FPO

The following are some basic instructions for sending mail to USS Key West sailors. In order to avoid delays, ALWAYS verify this information with your sailor and the United States Post Office.

First, think of the FPO (Fleet Post Office) address as their deployed (at sea) address. If your sailor is not at sea, mail will almost always reach him sooner if you use his "normal" address. This is also true if the Key West is only out on a short underway.

When addressing your FPO mail, the following layout is based on the Department of Defense's latest guidelines:

	First Line:
		[Rating/Rate-Enlisted, Rank-Officer (Not Required)] [Last Name], [First Name] [Middle Initial]
	Second Line:
		Division or Department (Not Required)
	Third Line:
		USS Key West (SSN 722)
	Fourth Line:
		FPO AP 96683-2402
	Example:
		MM3 Smith, John Q. USS Key West (SSN 722) FPO AP 96683-2402

Think of the last line as this--FPO is the city and AP (Armed Forces Pacific) is the state. Some may tell you to use CA (California) for the state instead, but don't. AP is the correct choice.

RESTRICTIONS: All mail going to an FPO address is subject to restrictions. Always review restrictions with the United States Post Office prior to shipping. You can find the most current information at their website. This information changes every two weeks, so rather than provide a direct link that would be obsolete within 14 days, the following is how to find the latest information:

• Go to their site at: www.usps.com
• Click on "About USPS & News" near the top.
• Click on "Postal News" under "Information and Activities".
• Click on "Forms and Publications" in the menu on the left side.
• Click on "Postal Bulletin".
• On the left side, near the top, you will find a picture of the cover of the most current bulletin. Click on it and this will bring up the PDF (Adobe) version. If you prefer, you can click on "HTML" below the picture for the HTML version. The HTML version loads much faster.
• Scroll down until you see "Other Information". Below that, click on the "Overseas Military Mail" link.
• On the left side, the APO/FPO Table lists the military zip codes and the restrictions that apply. Scroll down until you find the Key West's zip code. Currently it is 96683. This will tell you the current restrictions for Key West mail. The Legend on the right will define those restrictions for you.

Below are the current restrictions:

	A1		Mail addressed to "Any Servicemember," or similar wording such as "Any Soldier," "Sailor," "Airman," or "Marine"; "Military Mail"; etc., is prohibited. Mail must be addressed to an individual or job title such as "Commander," "Commanding Officer," etc.
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	B		PS Form 2976-A is required for all mail weighing 16 ounces or more, with exceptions noted below. In addition, mailers must properly complete required customs documentation when mailing any potentially dutiable mail addressed to an APO or FPO regardless of weight. The following are exceptions to the requirement for customs documentation on nondutiable mail that weighs 16 ounces or more: Known mailers are exempt from providing customs documentation on non-dutiable letters, and printed matter weighing 16 ounces or more. (A known mailer is anyone who legally applies a permit imprint to a mailpiece. Mail with meter postage is not considered to be from a known mailer.) All federal, state, and local government agencies are exempt from providing customs documentation on mail addressed to an APO or FPO, except for those APOs/FPOs to which restriction B2 applies. Prepaid mail from military contractors is exempt, providing the mailpiece is endorsed "Contents for Official Use - Exempt from Customs Requirements."
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	B1		PS Form 2976 or 2976-A is required. Articles are liable for customs duty and/or purchase tax unless they are bona fide gifts intended for use by military personnel or their dependents. When the contents of a parcel meet these requirements, the mailer must endorse the customs form, "Certified to be a bona fide gift, personal effects, or items for personal use of military personnel and dependents," under the heading, Description of Contents. Exceptions: All other exceptions listed in restriction B above are applicable to this restriction.
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	B2		All federal, state, and local government agencies must complete customs documentation when sending mail addressed to or from this APO or FPO weighing 16 ounces or more.
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	V		Express Mail Military Service (EMMS) not available from any origin.

CUSTOMS FORMS: As stated in the Restrictions, Customs Forms are required for all items weighing 16 ounces or more. You can complete the forms online at https://webapps.usps.com/customsforms/. Just be sure to use the APO/FPO Version. There is also a link to "Customs Declaration Forms Usage" to help you determine which form to use. If you prefer, you can pick these forms up at your local Post Office or have them delivered to you at no charge. Just select the "Order Customs Forms" link. Know that if you intend to order them, they are listed by title, not form number. Also, pay close attention to Restriction B1 above when completing the Description of Contents.

HINTS: There are several things to consider when mailing a package to your Sailor's FPO address. Please keep in mind that what you are purchasing from the Post Office is delivery to the Navy, NOT your Sailor. Once the Navy takes possession of your package, the Post Office's job is done. Keeping this in mind, do you really want to spend the extra money for Express shipping just to get it into the hands of the Navy in two days when it still may be three or four weeks before your Sailor receives it? Same thing for insurance. If your package was intact when the Navy received it, the insurance you purchased won't do you any good if it falls out of a Navy helicopter and gets squashed. So think about it before you spend the extra money.

The Post Office provides FREE boxes for Flat Rate Priority Mailing. This is often the most economical way to ship a care package. As long as you can close the Priority box without distorting it, it doesn't matter how much it weighs! Due to weight, regular parcel post rates often cost much more. You can either pick these boxes up at your local Post Office or order them online. Orders online are for a minimum of 25 boxes. They come in two sizes - 11"x8.5"x5.5" and 11.875"x13.625"x3.375". If you're sending a large quantity of items to your Sailor, consider using two of these boxes rather than a large one. Rumor has it that two smaller packages may actually make it to your Sailor faster than a large one as they tuck into smaller spaces easier.

Always be sure to pack your items carefully and include padding. Is there something you can put inside something else to make it travel better? And when considering perishable items, don't forget that it could take weeks for your package to arrive. It will also most likely be exposed to temperature extremes. If it will melt or spoil, don't send it. Secure items that may break open inside zip-lock style plastic bags. Popcorn is always a great packing material, but make sure it's plain and not buttered. When a Sailor has been at sea for weeks or months, even stale popcorn can taste pretty good. Don't ever doubt that either they, or one of their shipmates, will eat it! ha!