Mailing Letters to Deployed Service Members

Letters can provide a tangible way for families to stay in touch with a deployed service member, alongside available phone, email, and video communication.

Postage Rules for Military Mail

Mail addressed to APO, FPO, or DPO addresses is handled within the domestic mail system when it uses the assigned military address format. A standard one-ounce letter that otherwise qualifies for the stamped-letter rate uses one Forever stamp, currently valued at $0.82.

Tips for Mailing to Deployed Service Members

• Use the complete military address including the recipient, unit or PSC details, APO/FPO/DPO designation, AA/AE/AP code, and ZIP Code.
• Do not add the foreign city or country to an APO/FPO/DPO address.
• Check customs requirements for parcels because requirements vary by contents, weight, destination, and current military-mail rules.
• Allow extra time. Transit varies by destination, service, transportation, security conditions, and operational restrictions.

After confirming the applicable domestic or international requirements for the address, compare postage stamp options for the planned letters.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does mail take to reach a deployed service member?

There is no single reliable delivery window for every military address. Timing varies by destination, service, transportation, security conditions, and operational restrictions, so mail early and use the current guidance for the assigned address.

Can I send care packages using stamps?

Letters and parcels follow different standards. Whether a parcel needs a customs form depends on its contents, weight, destination, and current rules. Check the restrictions for the assigned military ZIP Code before mailing.

Should I include my return address on letters to deployed personnel?

Yes. Use a complete return address. It provides an address for return handling when the item can be returned, but it does not guarantee delivery or return.