Shipping to APO/FPO/DPO Addresses Via MPSA
The packages we dispatch to APO/FPO/DPO addresses may inconsistently encounter transit delays of several weeks; although in our experience the package will always eventually deliver. We are not allowed to open an investigation with the carrier for three weeks after the ship date, and the carrier can take up to another three weeks to reply. Our guaranteed safe arrival policy for the handling of these MPSA delays is that upon request we will refund the order 45 days after date of dispatch, but will not reship to the same address. In those cases, when the unpaid order arrives then you are responsible for returning the package at your expense.
Dive Gear Express offers shipping to APO/FPO/DPO addresses via MPSA through USPS for most of our products, subject to their restrictions for specific addresses. If you are unfamiliar with the MPSA or a civilian placing a Dive Gear Express order shipping to an APO/FPO/DPO address, please read Important MPSA vs USPS differences. Our experience suggests most packages deliver in less than a month, but our long time repeat customers tell us delivery times are inconsistent and that orders with multiple packages shipped all at the same time may not arrive all at the same time.
From our end, the APO/FPO/DPO zip codes are always considered domestic US addresses. This means if the ultimate destination for your APO/FPO/DPO address is actually outside the US, you will be responsible for return shipping costs should a return be necessary. Return shipping costs to the US from an international destination can be relatively expensive. Your complete satisfaction is our goal, so please consider carefully before purchase.
There are strict formatting requirements on most addresses. When entering an order for shipment to an APO/FPO/DPO address, always choose the ship to country as United States regardless of the ultimate destination country. To prevent mail from reentering domestic and foreign mail networks do NOT include state, city or country names in shipping addresses. The address must include the recipient's full name and rank, unit, and full 9-digit ZIP Code. When entering the zip code you will notice that UPS and DHL shipping is not available. However, USPS (US Postal Service) and Super Saver options will be correctly listed as available shipping options.
The standard restrictions are weight, not exceeding 70 lbs, and dimensions, not exceeding 108 inches total length plus girth. Many addresses can have zip code specific restrictions that supersede the standard restrictions. Packages to many APO/FPO/DPO zip codes that exceed 35 pounds or 35 X 17 X 17 inches have very expensive surcharges imposed, experience lengthy transit delays, or particularly for DPO addresses may be rejected entirely. As a result, we do not offer free shipping on cylinders, rebreathers, absorbent, DPVs, or gas boosters to APO/FPO/DPO addresses. Recently, we have observed that shipments to DPO addresses of any device containing any type of battery will be rejected and returned to us.
A few zip codes have heightened security restrictions. Our understanding is those specific zip codes require the package to be presented at the counter of a US Post Office where the individual who is mailing the package will be recorded, and the package itself can be inspected as part of the acceptance process. We are unable to ship your order to those zip codes with such security restrictions. In these circumstances we suggest you take advantage of our Super Saver option to ship your package to a stateside friend or relative who can then personally mail the package on to these restricted addresses.
In order to have our MPSA packages accepted by the US Postal Service, we use their electronic addressing database. As part of the process of printing a combined address and postage label, the USPS database will validate the Ship To address you entered during payment checkout for your order. Failed validation is common for non-governmental addressees, such as commissaries and contractors. If the USPS database fails to validate your address, we can force our system to ship to your address if you confirm the address you provided is correct and are willing to accept responsibility for delay or non-delivery. We appreciate the job you are doing for your country and we really want to ship your order. Please help us by taking the time to provide us with a current and correct format for your address.