I shipped a book out around a month ago to an apo address, I fully expected the book to go lost because of some confusion at the post office over which form to use but the date of system action by PBS was marked for June 6th, tonight when I checked the book and request has completely been moved from my account. Is this normal? I always assumed if a book went lost there would be at least an email or message to inform you of the fact. 

The book does show up lost on my transaction archive but I guess I was expecting a little more feedback from the site as fortunately I've never had a problem with any other books I've mailed out. 

Just to add a little more information.I don't use any of the PBS postage/dc or anything. I even handwrite the address. 

So it's not in your list of books mailed and not in your transaction archive either?

The book would be moved to your Transaction Archive and marked as Lost.  The receiver would have received two reminder emails in the week it was about to go lost.  After it has been moved to the TA, the receiver can mark it as received in their own TA.  At that point you will get a message and credit.

I don't recall if the sender gets a message about lost books.  I like to use PBS postage on the APO books as they can take so long.  

Your messages from PBS can be found in the Club Communications link on your My Account main page.  Helpful way to check to see if your messages are getting through your spam filter.

Sometimes books going to an APO address can take a little longer than a standard, domestic address. Be patient, it very well can still be marked as received. When a book has "gone lost" and thusly moved to the Transaction Archive, the receiving member can still mark it received there. Like others, when sending to an APO I will frequently use PBS postage on the book to avoid what has just happened.

Good advice on the PBS postage. Thanks to all for the replies. 

Always use printable postage or DC on APO addresses.  Every single book I've mailed to APO addresses has gone lost and never marked received.

I recommend PBS postage for any media rate to Guam, HI, AK, and other over water places as well as the APOs.  Those boats can be slow.  (Or I'll check how much first class costs, worth it for paperbacks.)

That said, all of my books to APOs did eventually arrive.   Eventually. 

I've mailed APO, used PBS Tracking & counter postage.  IIRC it took awhile, but did arrive and was marked.  Unfortunately Tracking only works up until the packing leaves the US then there will be no more scans.  The jump-off point is the last scan.

The first year I was a member I lived in Germany with an APO address.  All my books arrived within 7 days after the "lost" date so don't give up hope, it just takes a little longer.

The USPS has custody of mail and packages destined for APO addresses til items arrive in NY where they are loaded on a  military ship to Europe.That's why tracking isn't useful-- I wouldn't waste your money on it.

I've mailed to apo address once before and it was received with no problem. For whatever reason I had problems finding the correct custom form this time. When I filled  out the form the website would say "custom form not needed for this address" so I just left it up to the PO to decide what needed to be added to the package. 

But the tracking is worth it for the quick credit, not the information.