If you have valued customers in the armed forces, you may need to make changes to your shipping method to ensure packages are deliverable.
If DCL receives an order containing an APO or military address, here are the steps that will need to be taken to fulfill and ship that package.
What are APO addresses?
APO (army post office) addresses are military mailing addresses used by the US Department of Defense for deployed service members.
APO addresses typically have a format similar to a standard U.S. address but may include unique details such as APO, FPO (Fleet Post Office), or DPO (Diplomatic Post Office) in the address line.
How to Ship to an APO Address?
APO addresses can only be shipped via USPS.
If an order contains an APO address and USPS is the designated carrier for that order type, the product will be fulfilled and shipped out.
If an order with an APO address comes in with a shipping service other than USPS, the order will be placed on hold, and the following steps must be taken.
Get approval to ship USPS or update the shipping address to a non-APO address
An Order Administrator (OA) will send an email or notification to our client, informing them that their order includes an APO address and explaining the need for a street address or the approval to ship via USPS and the service level needed.
Update the shipping carrier to USPS
If the order is at stage 10 in our eFactory system, our customer can change the shipping carrier and service independently. See our article on Changing an Order.
If our client requests it, our OA can make the changes for them.
Update the shipping address
If the order is at stage 10 in our eFactory system, our customer can change the shipping address to a non-APO address. See our article on Changing an Order.
If our client requests it, our OA can make the changes for them.
Be aware of any product restrictions or regulations that may apply to shipments to military bases. Ensure that the shipped items comply with these regulations.
By following these guidelines, DCL aims to streamline the process of shipping to APO addresses, providing our customers in the military with the best possible service. We appreciate the dedication and service of our armed forces and are committed to ensuring their orders reach them securely and on time.
Will These Changes Affect My SLA?
The Service Level Agreement (SLA) for shipping is predicated upon the receipt of an order that is deemed ready for shipment. It is important to note that any modifications made to an order, such as placing it on hold to adjust the address or service level, will have a bearing on the SLA. The SLA commences when the pertinent information required for the shipment of the order is received.