ZooKeeper’s Solution for Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands, and APO Shipping Addresses
If you’re shipping to a PO Box, Puerto Rico (PR), the US Virgin Islands (USVI), or a military APO address, you may have noticed that our system is set up to process orders exclusively through UPS. While this streamlines most of our shipping operations, it can pose a challenge for customers with these specific address types, as UPS does not deliver to PO Boxes or APO addresses, and certain restrictions apply to PR and USVI shipments. Don’t worry—we’ve got a solution! We can manually invoice and ship your order via the United States Postal Service (USPS). Here’s what you need to know about the process and why it matters.
Why Manual Invoicing Is Necessary
Our e-commerce platform is optimized for UPS shipping, which ensures efficient tracking, reliable delivery, and seamless integration with our order management system. However, UPS has limitations when it comes to certain destinations:
- PO Boxes: UPS does not deliver to post office boxes, as its service requires a physical street address.
- Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands: While UPS does ship to PR and USVI, USPS often provides a more cost-effective and practical option for these locations, especially for smaller packages or areas with limited UPS coverage.
- Military APO Addresses: UPS does not service APO (Army Post Office) addresses, which are used for military personnel stationed overseas or at certain domestic bases. These addresses require USPS shipping.
To accommodate these situations, we offer a manual invoicing process that allows us to bypass the system’s default UPS requirement and arrange shipping through USPS instead.
How the Manual Invoicing Process Works
If you have a PO Box, PR, USVI, or APO shipping address, here’s how we handle your order:
- Place Your Order: You can continue browsing and adding items to your cart on our website as usual. When you are ready to check out, take a screenshot of your cart and email it to: info@lionfishzk.com
- System Notification: Our system will flag the address as incompatible with UPS shipping and prevent the order from being finalized automatically.
- Manual Review: Our team will review your order and reach out to confirm the details. We’ll verify your shipping address and discuss USPS shipping price.
- Custom Invoice: We’ll generate a manual invoice tailored to your order, including the appropriate USPS shipping costs. This invoice will be sent to you via email for review and payment.
- Payment and Shipping: Once you approve and pay the invoice, we’ll process your order and ship it via USPS. You’ll receive tracking information as soon as the package is on its way.
Why We Use USPS for These Shipments
The United States Postal Service is the ideal choice for PO Box, PR, USVI, and APO addresses because:
- PO Box Delivery: USPS specializes in delivering to PO Boxes, ensuring your package reaches you without issues.
- Cost-Effective for PR and USVI: USPS often offers more affordable rates for these territories, especially for lightweight packages.
- APO Delivery: USPS is the designated carrier for military APO addresses, providing reliable delivery to service members worldwide.
- Reliable Service: USPS provides dependable delivery and tracking for domestic shipments, including to Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, and APO addresses, which are part of the USPS domestic network.
Tips for a Smooth Experience
To make the process as seamless as possible, here are a few tips:
- Double-Check Your Address: Ensure your shipping address is accurate, including any PO Box numbers, APO details, or specific information for PR/USVI locations.
- Contact Us Early: If you know your address falls into one of these categories, feel free to reach out to our customer service team before placing your order. We can guide you through the process.
- Allow Extra Time: Manual invoicing and USPS shipping may take slightly longer than automated UPS orders, especially for APO addresses, which can involve international transit. Plan accordingly, especially for time-sensitive deliveries.
- Monitor Your Email: Keep an eye on your inbox (and spam/junk folder) for the manual invoice and shipping updates.
Why We’re Committed to Helping You
We understand that not every customer has a standard street address or lives in an area easily serviced by UPS. Our goal is to make sure everyone can access our products, whether you’re at a PO Box, in Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, or serving in the military at an APO address. By offering manual invoicing and USPS shipping, we’re working to bridge the gap and provide a solution that works for you.
If you have any questions about shipping to a PO Box, PR, USVI, or APO address, or if you’d like assistance with your order, don’t hesitate to contact our customer service team. We’re here to help you get your order delivered efficiently and affordably!
Thank you for choosing us, and we look forward to serving you!
