Shipping to APO/FPO/DPO Addresses Via MPSA
Packages we dispatch to APO/FPO/DPO addresses can experience inconsistent transit delays of several weeks, although in our experience they almost always deliver. We are not allowed to open an investigation with the carrier until three weeks after the ship date, and the carrier may take up to another three weeks to reply. Our guaranteed safe arrival policy for these military or diplomatic mail delays is that, upon request, we will refund the order 45 days after the date of dispatch, but we will not reship to the same address. If the unpaid order later arrives, you are responsible for returning the package at your expense.
This page explains how shipping to APO/FPO/DPO addresses works, what restrictions may apply, and how military and diplomatic delivery differ from standard domestic U.S. shipping.
Dive Gear Express ships to APO/FPO/DPO addresses through USPS and the military or diplomatic postal system for most products, subject to restrictions for specific addresses. If you are unfamiliar with the MPSA or are a civilian placing a Dive Gear Express order shipping to an APO/FPO/DPO address, please read Important MPSA vs USPS differences. Our experience suggests most packages deliver in less than a month, but delivery times are inconsistent, and multiple packages from the same order may not all arrive together.
From our end, APO/FPO/DPO ZIP Codes are always treated as domestic Non-Contiguous US addresses. If the ultimate destination is outside the US, you are responsible for return shipping costs if a return is necessary. Return shipping from an international destination can be expensive, so please consider carefully before purchase.
Most addresses have strict formatting requirements. When entering an order for shipment to an APO/FPO/DPO address, always select United States as the ship-to country regardless of the ultimate destination. Use APO, FPO, or DPO as the city and AA, AE, or AP as the state, as specified in the recipient's address. Do not include the foreign city or country name. The address should include the recipient's full name, rank (when applicable), unit, and full 9-digit ZIP Code. When entering the ZIP Code, UPS and DHL options will not be available; USPS and Super Saver options will be correctly listed.
Standard limits are 70 lbs maximum weight and 108 inches combined length and girth. Many addresses have ZIP Code-specific restrictions that supersede these limits. DPO packages must not exceed 27 X 14 X 14 inches. Check the current USPS guidance and destination ZIP Code restrictions before ordering bulky items. As a result, we do not offer free shipping on cylinders, rebreathers, absorbent, DPVs, or gas boosters to APO/FPO/DPO addresses. We have also observed that shipments to DPO addresses containing batteries will likely be rejected and returned.
A few ZIP Codes have heightened security restrictions. Those specific ZIP Codes require in-person acceptance at a US Post Office, where the sender is recorded and the package may be inspected. We are unable to ship to those ZIP Codes. In these cases, we suggest using Super Saver shipping to a stateside contact who can forward the package.
To meet USPS acceptance requirements, we use their electronic addressing database. The ship-to address entered at checkout must validate against USPS records. Failed validation is common for non-government addressees such as commissaries and contractors. If validation fails, we can override it and ship if you confirm the address is correct and accept responsibility for delay or non-delivery. Please ensure the address is current and correctly formatted before placing your order.