How to Mail a Military Care Package
Most military members look forward to care packages from loved ones back home. To make sure what you send gets safely to its intended recipient, follow basic tips for preparing and sending your care package.
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Instructions
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Check to see what is allowed to be shipped. Each country has its own restrictions on what you can send to service members stationed within its borders. The U.S. Postal Service provides lists of what the restrictions are. See Resources for a link.
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Choose sturdy packaging. Flat rate priority boxes from the U.S. Postal Service work well. These boxes are available in three sizes, hold up to 70 pounds and are relatively inexpensive to ship. Priority mailing supplies are free from the USPS website or your local post office.
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Secure the package well. Use more tape on the military care package than you ever thought was necessary, especially if the package is being delivered to Iraq or Afghanistan. All seams of the box should be taped well. Use your local newspaper as packing material as it can serve a dual purpose. When you shake the box, the contents should not move around. Package similar items together. Soldiers have reported that care package food may taste like soap, for instance, when the two items were sent together and not packaged separately. If there is a possibility of an item spilling or opening in transit, be sure it is securely enclosed in a separate plastic bag.
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Address the package correctly, including the recipient's title, first and last name, unit, APO/FPO/DPO, and complete zip code. The Post Office will no longer deliver packages addressed to "Any Service Member."
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Complete a customs form if you're shipping the package overseas. The form you need will depend on the value of the items you're shipping and the service you're using. Customs forms can be found on the Post Office website. See Resources for a link.
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Protect the contents. If you place stickers across the seams of the box before it is taped, the soldier will easily be able to tell if the package was opened or tampered with while it was in transit. If you are sending expensive items, check with the Post Office about the possibility of the package being insured.
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References
Resources
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