No Shipping to APO??


November 16, 2010, 08:51 AM
I've been in Afghanistan for about a month and decided today that I would order a Vertical Foregrip for my M4. So, I thought the Magpul RVG looked pretty good and went to order it when I realized that that website doesn't ship to APO addresses. So, I went to other websites - like bravo company, US Cav, and Midway - and each of them had the same policy.

Does anyone know why these tactical gear / gun sites wouldn't ship items to the people who could use their stuff the most? Maybe there's some law in place that forbids it, but it seems rather silly to me. I don't think the policy was just for weapon accessories, I think it was for everything.

It's not a big deal since I guess I could just have someone send it to me but it's the principle of the matter that kind of bugs me. Anyone else think this is weird?

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November 16, 2010, 08:54 AM
Export control laws for anything related to military use can be awfully complicated.

November 16, 2010, 08:56 AM
You can't get a free vertical foregrip from good ole' uncle sam?

November 16, 2010, 12:13 PM
I envy you younger generation of servicepersons...When I was in, it was unlawful to modify the issued weapon, at least in standard line units.

Probably as noted above...Military hardware going out of country (as an APO indicates, under normal circumstances) make companies nervous.

November 16, 2010, 01:50 PM
Yea, most companies just don't do it. You're best bet is to get a buddy/relative to buy it and send it to you, but I don't know about the legalities of that, since its still likely considered 'export of military hardware'

Shadow 7D
November 16, 2010, 06:00 PM
OK, take your beer, porn, poggy bait, girl friends pic, sisters number etc. to a combat unit, the dusty guys on the truck that come through every day (wait by the haji mart or shoppette) I'm sure one of them would be glad to trade one off.

November 16, 2010, 08:02 PM
It's a lot more stuff than just gun parts, there are quite a few electronics places that won't ship to APO's either.

The best way around it that I have found is to order through Amazon, in many cases you can get one of their third party vendors to ship to an an APO. There are quite a few gun accessories available through Amazon.

November 16, 2010, 11:16 PM
I mentioned this to a buddy in my unit and he handed me a VFG, so problem solved. I didn't think it would be hard to get a VFG, I was just surprised at the APO thing. I mean, as far as I can tell, the policy extended to other things that have nothing to do with military hardware. Granted, most of their merchandise is probably related to military-type stuff, so I guess they just don't want to deal with the pain. It's a shame, though.

Shadow 7D
November 17, 2010, 04:57 PM

knew lots of guy who got everything mailorder, hell we had a better game room than MWR they bought so much stuff

Sheldon J
November 17, 2010, 06:31 PM
Daughter had the same problem when she was stationed in Korea, she wanted a printer that was on sale at one of the major electronic stores and they would not ship it to her, so she had it sent to us n we forwarded it, anyone that sends stuff to APO can get a single rate box for free from the USPS or as we did in lots of 25 delivered to the house n still for free....

November 17, 2010, 09:20 PM
Register with the following link. You will be required to enter a military email address. No yahoo.com, or hotmail, etc. The guys here can help you as they helped me. If not p.m. me and if I can I will be more than glad to help a fellow soldier out.


December 2, 2010, 10:34 AM
Had the same problem myself. DSG wouldn't ship PMAG's to an APO. Called my buddy, had them shipped to his house so he could send them to me. I should've known better than to ask a lawyer for a favor. :rolleyes:

He started reading the USPS code and he won't ship them to the APO. Told him to ship it to my buddy who will and he won't do that either, he'll only drop them off in person.

So I now have 3 PMAG's and 6 issue mags. Had 10 PMAG's but my soldiers asked to trade since they had none so I traded a few away. Can't wait to get my other 10 in...

December 3, 2010, 12:32 AM
Many vendors do not use USPS in general. No one else ships to APO/FPO.

USPS delivery confirmation is not available to APO/FPO adresses. The lack of proof of delivery leaves the shipper open to false claims that the item was never received, wasn't mailed, etc and the resulting financial loss when a refund is wrongfully paid to an unscrupulous customer.

December 3, 2010, 12:47 AM
Remember US Cavalry. Feds raided them and threatened to levy fines and criminal charges over paperwork related to export. In this environment nobody is going to risk losing their business.

December 3, 2010, 07:39 PM
Amazon.com will ship to APOs and tacticaltailor.com might have one, and will ship. What's wrong with your supply/armoror? When I went to Iraq last year everyone in the company got a vertical forgrip/bipod combo and mountable surefire.

Not sure if these guys will, but they sell that kind of stuff and are owned by veterans.
