Does apo mail go through customs

APO (Army Post Office) and FPO (Fleet Post Office) mail, which is used by the US military to send and receive mail, does go through customs, but the process is slightly different from regular international mail.

Here's what you need to know:

  1. APO/FPO mail is considered international mail: Even though it's sent from within the United States, APO/FPO mail is considered international mail because it's being sent to a foreign destination (a military base or post office outside the US).
  2. Customs clearance: APO/FPO mail is cleared through customs by the US Postal Service (USPS) before it's shipped to its destination. The USPS is responsible for ensuring that all mail, including APO/FPO mail, complies with US customs regulations.
  3. Duty-free: APO/FPO mail is generally duty-free, which means that recipients don't have to pay customs duties or taxes on the items they receive. This is because the USPS has a special agreement with the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to waive duties on APO/FPO mail.
  4. Restrictions and prohibitions: While APO/FPO mail is duty-free, there are still restrictions and prohibitions on certain items that can be sent through the mail. For example, items that are illegal or prohibited in the destination country, such as certain types of weapons or controlled substances, cannot be sent through APO/FPO mail.
  5. Inspection and screening: APO/FPO mail is subject to inspection and screening by the USPS and CBP before it's shipped to its destination. This is to ensure that the mail complies with customs regulations and to prevent the introduction of prohibited items into the country.
  6. Delivery: Once APO/FPO mail clears customs, it's delivered to the recipient at the military base or post office where they are stationed.

In summary, APO/FPO mail does go through customs, but the process is streamlined and duty-free, with restrictions and prohibitions in place to ensure that only authorized items are sent through the mail.