Priority Mail Express Military Service (PMEMS) is a Priority Mail Express® Service available between the United States and designated Army Post Offices and Fleet Post Offices (APOs and FPOs) to provide Department of Defense personnel stationed overseas, and others entitled to APO and FPO mailing privileges, a delivery service to or from the United States with a money-back guarantee.

 

PMEMS Availability

• PMEMS is available at:
  • Post Offices for delivery to designated APO and FPO 5-digit ZIP Code™ locations.
  • Designated APO and FPO offices for delivery to the United States.
• PMEMS items must be presented no later than the local Post Office designated acceptance time.
• Priority Mail Express Military Service is not available between APO and FPO ZIP Codes.
• PMEMS may not be available at or between all Post Offices or at all times of deposit. A PMEMS directory, showing detailed local information about PMEMS, is available at Post Offices. 

PMEMS Service Guarantee

Delivery time is typically 3 to 5 business days depending on origin and destination; however, the scheduled delivery date is determined at the time of mailing. 

• Note: "Business days" exclude Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. PMEM items to an APO/FPO ZIP Code will not have scheduled delivery days of Saturdays or Sundays or on holidays.

To APO and FPO 

• PMEMS items mailed to APO and FPO destinations (from the United States) are available for delivery at the destination APO and FPO Post Office by 6pm on the designated delivery day.

From APO and FPO 

• PMEMS items mailed from APO and FPO locations (going to the United States) are delivered to an addressee within the delivery area of the destination Post Office by 6pm on the designated delivery day.

 

Military Mail and Diplomatic Mail, whether originating from the United States or from an APO/FPO/DPO ZIP Code, is considered Domestic for most USPS processing and receives a Domestic Rate and domestic tracking number. These items do fly on International Passenger Airplanes and must follow the same rules as any International item for contents (no aerosols, limited lithium-ion batteries, and other such restrictions). International transit hubs, International Airlines, Foreign Posts, and U.S. Trade laws, departments and rules all have requirements which are met with use of the U.S. Customs Declaration Form. For additional information, see: Sending Military and Diplomatic Mail Customs Forms - The Basics > Military and Diplomatic Mail Customs Forms Requirements

Sunday/Holiday Fee for PMEMS

• The Sunday/Holiday fee is not available to any Priority Mail Express Military Service piece being shipped "TO" an APO and FPO ZIP Code as the PMEMS service standard is in "Business Days".
• The Sunday/Holiday fee would apply, when applicable, for any Priority Mail Express Military Service piece being shipped "FROM" an APO and FPO ZIP Code.

PMEMS Refund Eligibility

PMEMS items may be eligible for a postage refund when, by the delivery time determined at the time of mailing:

• Items are not available for customer pickup at the APO or FPO address or 
• Delivery is not attempted in the United States or items are not available for pickup

 

PMEMS Refund Eligibility Exceptions

Postage is not refunded for PMEMS if the money-back guarantee service was not provided because the item was:

1. Delayed by Customs.
2. Destined for an APO/FPO or DPO that was closed on the intended day of delivery and delivery was not attempted the next business day.
3. The item/shipment was:
   • Properly detained for law enforcement purposes.
   • Delayed due to strike or work stoppage.
   • Delayed because of an incorrect ZIP Code™ or address; or forwarding or return service was provided after the item was made available for claim.
   • Available for delivery, but the addressee made a written request that the shipment be held for delayed delivery.
   • Undeliverable as addressed.
4. If authorized by USPS Headquarters, and the delay was caused by governmental action beyond the control of USPS or air carriers; war, insurrection, or civil disturbance; delay or cancellation of flights; projected or scheduled transportation delays; breakdown of a substantial portion of USPS transportation network resulting from events or factors outside the control of USPS; or acts of God.
5. The shipment contained live animals or hazardous materials and was delivered, or delivery was attempted within 3 days of the date of mailing.
6. The shipment was mailed December 22 through December 25 and was delivered or delivery was attempted within 2 business days of the date of mailing.
7. The postage refund requested is other than for loss, and the mailpiece was destined:
   • To or originated from Alaska or Hawaii.
   • To or originated from Guam, American Samoa, or the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (see 608.2.4.1 for ZIP Codes).
   • To the Republic of Palau, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, or the Federated States of Micronesia (see 608.2.4.1 for ZIP Codes).

To learn more and/or apply for a PMEMS refund, please see https://www.usps.com/help/refunds.htm#pme.