How to Send a Military Care Package

The holidays are here and many of us have loved ones overseas serving in the military. Here are a few helpful tidbits in sending care packages to them. Average shipping time is nine days. Factor in a couple of extra days due to the holiday shipping onslaught.

First, ask the recipient about any special procedures and forbidden items pertaining to their specific location. Some locations forbid the inclusion of rank to the addressee. In this age of "small footprint" diplomacy the military is keen on abiding by local customs. This means that in most places in the Middle East we cannot send adult literature, alcoholic beverages, or food containing pork products. Each area has different rules. Some places forbid even Maxim magazine while others do not. That is why it's important to first check with your loved one.

If you are sending more than two pounds worth of goodies, you will save money by using the "domestic flat rate box". It's about the size of VCR player and you can cram as much stuff in it as you like as long as the box retains its original shape. Shipping for this box is about $8. When you pick the flat rate box up from the post office also be sure to pick up two copies of the requisite 2976A customs form. It is also known simply as "the long form". I'll explain why its a good idea to fill out two of these forms rather than just one.

On one of the forms fill out box (1) "List of Contents" as vaguely as possible. I'll usually put something like, "Books, Magazines, Toiletries, Snacks." In box (5) where it asks for the items' monetary values always underestimate. Both of these measures are to prevent theft from unethical postal employees. You wouldn't want to list "Sony PSP game system. Value: $250."