APO address causes STRANGE USPS Debug message

[mumzie]

I don't quite understand the message I received from the USPS debug when a shopper entered an APO address. More importantly - is there any action I need to take to enable APO shipments?

<?xml version="1.0"?>
<RateResponse><Package ID="0"><Service>EXPRESS</Service><ZipOrigination>our zip code</ZipOrigination><ZipDestination>Armed Forces Europe zip code</ZipDestination><Pounds>1</Pounds><Ounces>2</Ounces><Container>None</Container><Size>REGULAR</Size><Machinable>FALSE</Machinable><Zone>8</Zone><Postage>21.40</Postage><RestrictionCodes>A1-B-B1-C-D-U</RestrictionCodes><RestrictionDescription>A1. Mail addressed to 'Any Servicemember' or similar wording such as 'Any Soldier, Sailor, Airman or Marine', 'Military Mail', etc., is prohibited. Mail must be addressed to an individual or job title, such as 'Commander', 'Commanding Officer', etc. B. Form 2976-A required for all mail weighing 16 ounces or more, with exceptions noted below. In addition, mailers must properly complete required customs documentation when mailing any potentially dutiable mail addressed to an APO or FPO regardless of weight. The following are exceptions to the requirement for customs documentation on non-dutiable mail weighing 16 oz. or more: B. a. Known mailers (those legally applying a permit imprint to a mailpiece) are exempt from providing customs documentation on non-dutiable letters and printed matter weighing 16 oz. or more. Mail with meter postage is not considered to be from a known mailer. B. b. Federal, state, and local government agencies are exempt from providing customs documentation, except on mail to APOs/FPOs to which restriction B2 applies. B. c. Prepaid mail from military contractors is exempt, providing mailpiece is endorsed 'Contents for Official Use-Exempt from Customs Requirement'. B1. Form 2976 or 2976-A required. Articles liable for customs duty and/or purchase tax unless bona fide gifts intended for use by military personnel or their dependents. When contents of a parcel meet these requirements, mailer must endorse customs form, 'Certified to be a bona fide gift, personal effects, or items for personal use of military personnel and dependents', under the heading, Description of Contents. Exceptions: All exceptions listed in restriction B are applicable to this restriction. C. Cigarettes and other tobacco products are prohibited. D. Coffee is prohibited. U. Parcels must weigh less than 16 ounces when addressed to Box R. This restriction does not apply to mail endorsed 'Free Matter for the Blind or Handicapped.' </RestrictionDescription></Package><Package ID="1"><Service>PRIORITY</Service><ZipOrigination>our zip code</ZipOrigination><ZipDestination>Armed Forces Europe zip code</ZipDestination><Pounds>1</Pounds><Ounces>2</Ounces><Container>None</Container><Size>REGULAR</Size><Machinable>FALSE</Machinable><Zone>8</Zone><Postage>7.50</Postage><RestrictionCodes>A1-B-B1-C-D-U</RestrictionCodes><RestrictionDescription>A1. Mail addressed to 'Any Servicemember' or similar wording such as 'Any Soldier, Sailor, Airman or Marine', 'Military Mail', etc., is prohibited. Mail must be addressed to an individual or job title, such as 'Commander', 'Commanding Officer', etc. B. Form 2976-A required for all mail weighing 16 ounces or more, with exceptions noted below. In addition, mailers must properly complete required customs documentation when mailing any potentially dutiable mail addressed to an APO or FPO regardless of weight. The following are exceptions to the requirement for customs documentation on non-dutiable mail weighing 16 oz. or more: B. a. Known mailers (those legally applying a permit imprint to a mailpiece) are exempt from providing customs documentation on non-dutiable letters and printed matter weighing 16 oz. or more. Mail with meter postage is not considered to be from a known mailer. B. b. Federal, state, and local government agencies are exempt from providing customs documentation, except on mail to APOs/FPOs to which restriction B2 applies. B. c. Prepaid mail from military contractors is exempt, providing mailpiece is endorsed 'Contents for Official Use-Exempt from Customs Requirement'. B1. Form 2976 or 2976-A required. Articles liable for customs duty and/or purchase tax unless bona fide gifts intended for use by military personnel or their dependents. When contents of a parcel meet these requirements, mailer must endorse customs form, 'Certified to be a bona fide gift, personal effects, or items for personal use of military personnel and dependents', under the heading, Description of Contents. Exceptions: All exceptions listed in restriction B are applicable to this restriction. C. Cigarettes and other tobacco products are prohibited. D. Coffee is prohibited. U. Parcels must weigh less than 16 ounces when addressed to Box R. This restriction does not apply to mail endorsed 'Free Matter for the Blind or Handicapped.' </RestrictionDescription></Package></RateResponse>

[DrByte]

If you have debug mode enabled, you're going to get emails that look like that. That's the format that the USPS quotes come back in. Why are you running with debug enabled anyway?

You didn't say whether there was any sort of problem encountered by the customer.

[Jeffey]

There appears to be an issue with APO/military shipping and I see at least one other who had a similar issue recently.

APO shipping (via USPS) worked before the upgrade but now appears not to for some reason.

All other non-U.S. countries with same USPS shipping work fine. I have priority mail selected for Domestic along with the Air Priority for the other Countries so that appears to be correct.

U.S shipping (though via UPS) works fine as well and zone definitions are unchanged and look right.

Any ideas?

[dkmom]

I'm having the same issue - customers with APO addresses are getting an error message that says we don't ship to their area and to contact the store owner to make alternate arrangements.
Is there a fix for this yet?