Frequently Asked Questions
Our Facilities
If a package is left at our facility after hours, despite clear written instructions posted on our door, there is NO guarantee this package will still be there when we re-open the next business day. ShipitAPO is not responsible for package left by Amazon (or any other delivery company) after hours.
If a package is left at our facility after hours, despite clear written instructions posted on our door, there is NO guarantee this package will still be there when we re-open the next business day. ShipitAPO is not responsible for package left by Amazon (or any other delivery company) after hours. We are not responsible for packages left by Amazon delivery when our facilities are closed.
Getting Customer Service
If you no longer wish to be a ShipitAPO Member, click here, log in and then choose to Close Account under your Account Settings.
Managing Your ShipitAPO Account
For a package to be successfully processed under your ShipitAPO Account the Account Owner name or ANY name found on your list of Authorized Users MUST MATCH the name found on the package, unless it is Pre-Claimed beforehand.
If neither their name or your name is found on the incoming package or in your Member account profile when we attempt to process the package, the package will be held. Additionally, the ShipitAPO Account Holder is responsible for ensuring that these Authorized Users are eligible for APO/FPO/DPO privileges. Your Authorized Users are responsible for using the exact format of your ShipitAPO address. All ShipitAPO services are charged to the holder of the account.
To update your Authorized Users list, once logged into your ShipitAPO Account, look under Account Settings, then for Authorized Users.
If one of my Authorized Users uses my ShipitAPO account, who is responsible for paying for services?
Specific Package Service Request options include: Changing a package's destination address, changing the mail/postal class, changing insurance coverage, requesting an overpack, selecting Jump the Queue, requesting a 14-day hold, and other packaging services. Options requested will be applied to only the specified package.
$10.00 -- Handling fee per incoming package.
$20.00 -- Consolidation Fee.
$10.00 -- Extra box fee (if more that one box is required)
TBD -- Outgoing postage based on weight and dimensions of resulting box(es).
$10.00 -- Handling fee per resulting box(es).
$2.50 -- Issue Resolution Fee per incoming package. This includes 14 days of free storage per package.
Accordingly, how practical/valuable such a service is to you, can only be decided by you. It all depends on what you want consolidated/combined and why.
Should you want us to perform such a consolidation, please contact us first.
About Your ShipitAPO Packages
- There is an emergency with a package, as in it's leaking;
- It is a suspicious package;
- We need to positively identify the contents;
- When we are paid a Package Inspection Fee
We are not responsible for packages that are not in our possession.
About Your Billing
While other national carriers apply DIM Weight for all package sizes, the USPS only uses DIM Weight for packages over one cubic foot for Priority mail, Priority Mail Express, and Parcel Select Packages.
Online retailers whose products are light weight and larger in size (i.e. larger plastic toys, sports equipment, pillows, bubble wrap) will likely pay the DIM Weight price instead of the standard, physical weight price. If a package's calculated Dimensional Weight is more than the physical weight, the shipper is required to pay the Dimensional Weight rate.
But how is dimensional weight calculated?
- First, you need to determine if your package is greater than one cubic foot (1,728 cubic inches). To do this, use the formula L x W x H. If the result is under 1,728, your package is UNDER one cubic foot. If the result is over 1728, then your package is OVER one cubic foot and DIM Weight pricingmay apply
- Next, weigh your package to find its actual physical weight.
- Finally, calculate the DIM Weight by using the USPS Dimensional Weight formula, which is L x W x H/166. (The 166 is known as the DIM Divisor--the USPS uses 166 while other national carriers use 139 as their divisor.) If the result of this calculation yields a higher weight than the actual physical weight of the package, you will pay the DIM Weight price.
Let's look at an example
Supposed you have a package that measures 16" x 12" x 10" and weighs 2 pounds. Use the formula L x W x H to determine if the package is over one cubic foot.The result is 1,920 cubic inches which is over the 1,728 one cubic foot threshold -- your package will qualify for DIM pricing.
Using the USPS formula 16" L x 12?"W x 10" H/166 we calculate the DIM Weight value to be 11.57, or 12 pounds which is greater than the package actual weight of 2 pounds. Since the DIM Weight of your package is greater than the physical weight, you are required to pay the shipping rate for a 12 pound package. As you can see, using the smallest box size for your products is very beneficial to keep your shipping costs low.
Understanding the USPS
When it becomes available for use with our software we will offer it as an option.
The USPS has many rules and regulations regarding what can and cannot be mailed. In general, these are the rules, but some zip codes have more strict limitations:
- No package can exceed 72 inches in any length/dimension. {Length is ALWAYS the longest side of the package}
- No package can exceed 130 inches in total size. {Total size is calculated by adding length + width + width + height + height}
- No package can exceed 70 pounds in weight.
- All packages that exceed 108 inches (total size) but do not exceed 130 inches must be mailed via Oversized Parcel/Ground mail services. These packages can take 6-8 weeks to be delivered. {Most mailable bikes are in this category}
- Each APO/FPO/DPO zip code has its own set of restrictions, which supersede all general size, weight and content restrictions above. Use this tool to get familiar with your specific zip code restrictions.
We do offer a repacking service, but not all items are repackable into small enough or light enough boxes to be mailed.
If you have questions about which mailing class is right for you, what items can be overpacked, repacked, or consolidated, or are curious about the difference between Priority, Express, and Parcel Post, please check out our FAQs for more information.
Contents
The USPS has strict limitations on contents that can be mailed to you abroad. Specifics about prohibited materials can be found at this link: http://pe.usps.gov/text/pub52/welcome.htm and in more detail at our Prohibited Items FAQ section.
Prohibited materials that we receive regularly include aerosols, batteries, alcohol, flammable materials, solvents and corrosives. It is better for our members to know what is prohibited by the United States Postal Service BEFORE attempting to forward them. If we are unable to forward a package on to your Package Destination Address, oftentimes we are able to forward your packages to another stateside address or work with you to return the package(s) to the vendor. (See Service Requests in our FAQs).
It's especially important to be aware of the US Postal Service regulations around Lithium batteries. As of 15 November 2012, the United States Postal Service, again permits the mailing of items containing lithium batteries.
Insurance
NOTE: ShipitAPO uses a 3rd-party insurance carrier, which provides insurance coverage that may differ from what is provided by the USPS.
ShipitAPO provides three ways for you to manage insurance, postal class and overpacking and other options for your packages. All are available from within your ShipitAPO account.
First is a global setting, which means that all packages get processed as your settings request but can be changed on a per-package-basis as often as you want. The idea here is that you stagger your incoming packages so you have time to update your ShipitAPO account to reflect the way you want us to process your packages.
Another is a specific package process. You enter a tracking number for a specific package (provided to you by the merchant or shipper) and only that particular package will be processed the way you choose, all others will be processed per your Global Settings. This option is useful for when you have more than one package arriving at your ShipitAPO Address at one time.
The last is via OneReview. With your OneReview All Packages preference set to YES, all packages are stopped for you to review. Upon review you can select a desired processing option for only that particular package, which can include specific insurance, postal class, destination and overpacking.
Please review our insurance restrictions here.
Note that some of these options have additional fees.
Please review our insurance restrictions here.
Letter Mail Forwarding
Prohibited Items
If you feel the shipper has made a labeling error, please send us your order confirmation and shipping confirmation emails so we can review them. If we determine the shipper did make a mistake and mis-labeled your package, we will mail it to you normally.
In summary, these are the new regulations:
- The lithium batteries must be installed inside the electronic device.
- No more than two batteries may be mailed per packages.
- No "bare" batteries are allowed to be mailed, such as packages containing only a "replacement/spare" battery or nonrechargeable lithium batteries such as watch/coin batteries.
However, we have a service to make them compliant. For a fee, we open the package, install the associated batteries and reseal the package, making the package and its contents compliant with the new USPS rules.
If you plan on sending us a package with an "external" lithium battery in it, please email customer service with the tracking number along with the order/shipping confirmation email, as this will expedite the process.
ShipitAPO Rewards
When you refer a friend to ShipitAPO and they ship a package within 30-days of registration, we will reward you with six (6) Package Points® / Parcel Points®, crediting them to your ShipitAPO account. The more friends you refer to us the more Points you earn. There is no limit.
For every six (6) Package Points® / six (6) Parcel Points® earned, upon redemption, you receive one (1) Handling Fee Credit. For each Handling Fee Credit used, we waive our Handling Fee (based on your ShipitAPO Membership level) for your next package.
No Points are earned when redeemed Points are used when forwarding a package.
All Package Points® / Parcel Points® expire on 31 December of the year earned and cannot be converted to actual currency in any form.
Business/Procurement Accounts are ineligible.
About Us
ShipitAPO is the original APO/FPO/DPO forwarding company. We've been at it for more than 20 years. Tax-free shopping while you are living abroad.
Useful Links
Our Contacts
302-307-4516 (phone or fax)
All voicemail is returned via email.