I live overseas at an APO address. The US Military has specifically created this military mail system so that US Military, Embassy and Civilians who work overseas have the benefit of US Mail priveleges without high international fees. For example, all of our mail has a US zipcode. Someone stationed in Japan has their mail go to a California facility.That mail then goes overseas via military and civilian flights and usually arrives in 10-15 days if sent prioirty mail. All the seller needs to do is use a customs form. The mail then goes by military vehicles to the post office on the bases. The mail never touches the foreign postal systems. It only needs to clear customs at the host nation airport before delivery.
I am so frustrated at the limited buying opportunities I have because sellers instantly think is is a strictly overseas transaction or they have no idea what an APO is. Millions of Americans are overseas serving our country as soldiers, teachers, office workers, engineers, embassy people, etc. and we deserve the same opportunities as stateside buyers. We understand that some items such as perfumes, alcohol etc have restrictions. So many of us view this refusal to understand or ship to us as a prejudiced, limiting situaton.
Thanks for considering and understanding this process!

I live overseas at an APO address. The US Military has specifically created this military mail system so that US Military, Embassy and Civilians who work overseas have the benefit of US Mail priveleges without high international fees. For example, all of our mail has a US zipcode. Someone stationed in Japan has their mail go to a California facility.That mail then goes overseas via military and civilian flights and usually arrives in 10-15 days if sent prioirty mail. All the seller needs to do is use a customs form. The mail then goes by military vehicles to the post office on the bases. The mail never touches the foreign postal systems. It only needs to clear customs at the host nation airport before delivery.
I am so frustrated at the limited buying opportunities I have because sellers instantly think is is a strictly overseas transaction or they have no idea what an APO is. Millions of Americans are overseas serving our country as soldiers, teachers, office workers, engineers, embassy people, etc. and we deserve the same opportunities as stateside buyers. We understand that some items such as perfumes, alcohol etc have restrictions. So many of us view this refusal to understand or ship to us as a prejudiced, limiting situaton.
Thanks for considering and understanding this process!

I'm not a seller, but can understand their reluctance and/or unwillingness to ship to APO/FFO addresses.

Why would a seller choose to have to fill out customs forms, and wait up to two weeks, or more, for the buyer to receive their package? If it's traveling halfway around the world, the chances of items being damaged would increase too. Before pulling out the prejudice card, why not accept that their are disadvantages for the seller, and be grateful to those who are willing to work with the system?

Hi! If the buyer is willing to wait up to 2 weeks, why not? I see your point about damages to a small degree...but the postal system is just as rough stateside as anywhere.
There are also disadvantages to living overseas, being exposed to terrorism, threats, swine flu outbreaks tripling every week in Asia, being 7,000 miles from loved ones...sending your comrades home in a box...and taking their wife and kids to the airport...filling out a customs form and waiting 2 weeks seems a lesser inconvenience. Plus, the vendor is already paid before shipping and insurance is quite reasonable and paid by the buyer. (I must note that most of my damages though were due to careless packing, regardless of distance.) I guess it is all about perception and having access to US goods and shopping online is a quality of life issue. EBAY has become an American icon...and we are grateful to the very, very few who respect and work with the APO system to give us that diversion, consideration and convenience.
Nonetheless, thanks for your reply.