FedEx Military Shipping (All You Need to Know)
Whether your loved ones are stationed abroad and want to send care packages, or you are in the military yourself and want to know how to get to your base, there are a lot of addresses you need to know when shipping items to APOs and FPOs.
In this article, we’ll show you how military transportation works. More specifically, we’ll let you know if FedEx is capable of serving those serving in the Armed Forces, so keep reading to learn more!
Will FedEx offer military shipping in 2022?
Due to government security restrictions, the United States Postal Service (USPS) is the only carrier authorized to deliver mail and packages to Army Bases (APOs), Navy Fleet Bases (FPOs) and other military locations in 2022. That being said, FedEx offers delivery to countries that may have military personnel, but packages cannot be delivered directly to military bases.
To learn how to deliver packages to loved ones in the Armed Forces, be sure to read the rest of this article for more facts!
What is military transportation?
Before we get into the details of FedEx’s military shipping policy, it’s helpful to know exactly what military shipping is.
Simply put, military shipping includes any mail or package sent to a military address, whether domestic or international.
There are several types of military addresses:
- Army Post Office (APO). These addresses are used in conjunction with Army or Air Force facilities.
- Fleet Post Office (FPO). These addresses are used in conjunction with naval facilities.
- Diplomatic Post Office (DPO). These addresses are used in conjunction with U.S. diplomatic locations such as consulates or embassies.
Mail sent from the US to either of these locations is considered domestic (even if it is sent internationally) and priced accordingly.
Does FedEx deliver to military PO Boxes?
For government security reasons, only the United States Postal Service (USPS) can deliver mail and packages to military addresses.
That being said, other shipping services like FedEx do deliver to countries where the military is stationed.
So FedEx will be able to deliver packages near military personnel (i.e. close enough for them to collect), but not directly to them.
Why can’t FedEx ship to military bases?
Simply put, FedEx cannot deliver goods to military bases because the U.S. government has decided not to let them.
Needless to say, military bases abroad are vulnerable and could be targeted.
Therefore, in order to ensure the security of military facilities and troops, the government decided to entrust only the State Post Bureau to serve the people.
Likewise, if only one agency is allowed access to a military base, it will be easier for the government to monitor deliveries.
Can FedEx ship to military bases?
While the government has fairly strict policies on who can and cannot ship to military bases, there seem to be instances where FedEx can ship to bases.
For example, if you know the base’s building number, office number, and street name, you can send your FedEx package there.
This will work as long as the base commander does not restrict access to the base in a way that prevents delivery drivers from entering the base.
Usually, the base visitor center will have someone call the recipient to pick up the package, or act as an agent to collect the package on behalf of the recipient.
FedEx packages can also be delivered to military bases if they are sent via the Ground Economy (formerly SmartPost) service.
With this service, FedEx handles most of the shipping process, but leaves the “last mile” of delivery to USPS.
In terms of military transportation, the last mile includes transportation from the point of departure in the United States to the point of arrival at the military base.
In other words, when shipping with FedEx Ground Economy, USPS will be the one handling the actual delivery.
FedEx Ground Economy packages can be shipped to military addresses because USPS is allowed to ship to military bases.
To learn more, you can also read our post on FedEx Delivery Instructions, FedEx Delivery Instructions, and FedEx Government Owned.
in conclusion
In most cases, FedEx cannot deliver goods to military bases. This is because of US government shipping restrictions. Still, there are ways to work around these limitations.
On the one hand, you can send FedEx packages to the city and country where you or your loved ones are located and have them pick it up. It is also possible to send a package through FedEx Ground Economy and have USPS ship it to the base.
