Hello,
I'm trying to send a parcel to a member of the US military who is currently deployed. The address I have is an APO number. I asked at my local post office and was told I needed to put a street address and country on it, which I don't have. Then they said I could send it with a BFPO number, which I don't have either. I emailed Royal Mail customer service and they said they had contacted the BFPO department and they will contact me directly when their enquiries are complete. That was 2 weeks ago. I've searched online, but I can't find any up to date information on how I might do this.
I am not trying to get out of paying international postage. I know the BFPO postage rate is for UK service members, not US. I'm happy to pay postage to the US. I would greatly appreciate if anyone knows how I can address my parcel and send it safely. There's a soldier somewhere horrible who desperately needs cheering up.
ANNOUNCEMENT : ALL OF ROYAL MAIL'S EMPLOYMENT POLICIES (AGREEMENTS) AT A GLANCE (Updated 2021)... HERE
ANNOUNCEMENT : PLEASE BE AWARE WE ARE NOT ON FACEBOOK AT ALL!
Sending mail from the UK to an APO
Forum rules
For help with tracking please see...HERE
For information about your item being in HWDC Langley please see...HERE
For information about any other mail or if you have a complaint or general query, we first suggest you contact Royal Mail, see the link HERE.
Implications on mail after the UK's exit from the EU
From 1st January the rules for sending and receiving items to and from the EU will change.For more details please see... HERE
For help with tracking please see...HERE
For information about your item being in HWDC Langley please see...HERE
For information about any other mail or if you have a complaint or general query, we first suggest you contact Royal Mail, see the link HERE.
Implications on mail after the UK's exit from the EU
From 1st January the rules for sending and receiving items to and from the EU will change.For more details please see... HERE
-
Snaggletooth
- EX POST OFFICE
- Posts: 2220
- Joined: 13 Sep 2011, 20:17
- Gender: Male
Sending mail from the UK to an APO
It might be an idea to talk to the BFPO yourself. Direct contact details are at the very bottom of this page:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/british-for ... e-services" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/british-for ... e-services" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
-
TrueBlueTerrier
- FORUM ADMINISTRATOR
- Posts: 72327
- Joined: 30 Dec 2006, 10:29
- Gender: Male
- Location: On my couch
Sending mail from the UK to an APO
I don't know 100% but as a former BFPO receiver you should be able to send the parcel to the USA, and on their price list. Then as long as you have the correct format of address https://stamps.custhelp.com/app/answers ... itary-mail" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; once in the US it will be treated as Domestic Mail just like the UK do for BFPO mail.
I had a similar problem when my family wanted to send stuff to a BFPO address as the Local PO wanted to charge them for international mail, and a friend sent something from Australia to me in Bosnia via BFPO, they paid the Aus - UK Price.
Basically as I understand it all Military Mail for deployed personnel with a proper address is counted as International Mail to their home country, and then their home country use the Military system for onward transmission.
Also the BFPO address for a US serviceman would be pointless as there is usually no way of transferring it over to them even in the same theatre/Base.
Further AFPOs don't have street addresses for Security reasons so the Post Office should treat it as though you are sending to a US PO Box,
I had a similar problem when my family wanted to send stuff to a BFPO address as the Local PO wanted to charge them for international mail, and a friend sent something from Australia to me in Bosnia via BFPO, they paid the Aus - UK Price.
Basically as I understand it all Military Mail for deployed personnel with a proper address is counted as International Mail to their home country, and then their home country use the Military system for onward transmission.
Also the BFPO address for a US serviceman would be pointless as there is usually no way of transferring it over to them even in the same theatre/Base.
Further AFPOs don't have street addresses for Security reasons so the Post Office should treat it as though you are sending to a US PO Box,
All post by me in Green are Admin Posts.May use chatgp to generate posts
Any post in any other colour is my own responsibility.
If you like a news story I posted please click the link to show support
Any news stories you can't post - PM me with a link
Retired
Any post in any other colour is my own responsibility.
If you like a news story I posted please click the link to show support
Any news stories you can't post - PM me with a link
Retired
-
caliente
- Posts: 2
- Joined: 01 Mar 2017, 14:58
- Gender: Female
Sending mail from the UK to an APO
Thank you for the replies. it's helpful talking to someone who understands the situation. Now I just have to explain it to my local post office and hope they can process it.