Posted on 10/19/2003 1:55:49 AM PDT by VOA
Preamble -- October 18 marks my first shipment of care packages to a Military service-person overseas
(specifically to Baghdad). I was going to do it since about summer, but hesitated...partly because I wasn't
sure how to proceed. Thus, I now present a (Very) Quick Guide to the sending of care packages.
Point #1: Timing IS EVERYTHING
Keep these DEADLINE dates in mind (from the US Navy website at this URL:
http://www.chinfo.navy.mil/navpalib/questions/holidaymail.html
The Naval Supply Systems Command's Postal Policy Division, in cooperation with the U.S. Postal Service and military postal officials from all of the services, notes that it’s not too early to mail 2003 holiday cards, letters, and packages to and from military addresses overseas. In fact, everyone is encouraged to beat the last minute rush, and bring holiday mail and packages to the nearest U.S. Post Office or APO/FPO military post office by these suggested dates:
| For military mail addressed to APO and FPO addresses, the mailing dates are: |
For military mail FROM APO and FPO addresses, the mailing dates are: |
|
|
Revised: 25 September 2003
Point #2: Identify Your Target (Service Person)
You must have a specific service person's address for the mailing of letters or packages; the "any service man"
mailing is a thing of the past.
Even if you don't know a person serving oversears personally, you know someone who does.
Ask around, check with your faith community (church, temple, etc.), your city newspaper.
For example, my hometown newpaper even has a website with service- persons names and military
address. In my case, I contacted the employer of a U.S. Army chaplain; they had his APO (military)
address and e -mail address.
Point #3: If Sending A Package, Try To Contact The Service Person FIRST, if possible
Even though 99.999% of service personnel would love (and be happy with) a nice, supportive letter from
stateside, a package really sends the message.
Luckily, I was able to exchange e-mails with a Chaplin in Baghdad and thus he gave me a prioritized list
of school supplies his unit needs to help their adopted elementary school
Take-home message: prior contact gives the service person what they need, maximizing the benefit/cost
factor.
Point #4: Consult the USPS (United States Postal Service) for information
Talking to counter personnel is helpful, but time-consuming, so go to www.usps.gov
Consult: "Supporting Our Troops FAQs" at http://www.usps.supportingourtroops/supportingfaqs.htm
Military Addressing Tips at http://www.usps.supportingourtroops/addressingtips.htm
Military Packaging Tips at http://www.usps.supportingourtroops/packagingtips.htm
Other Ways To Support Our Troops at http://www.usps.supportingourtroops/otherways.htm
These will give you the basics and answers virtually all your questions.
For those who desire to send packages, the take-home is that you can box up goods in a "Domestic"
Priority Mail box, take it to the US Post Office, fill out a PS Form 2976-A Customs Declartion and
Dispatch Note" for each box you send.
Point #5: OBEY Restrictions on your mail! Don't tick off the host country!!
While at the "Supporting Our Troops FAQs" at http://www.usps.supportingourtroops/supportingfaqs.htm
click on the Overseas Military Mail link. Use the military "zip code" in your service person's military
address to determine which (of that huge list of) restrictions apply to your shipment.
Of course, the usual biggies are the prohibition on shipping pork and against shipping religional material'
for other than personal use by the service-person.
DON'T be intimidated by the restrictions list...take a few minutes to work through it in order to avoid
problems.
Point #6: Time to get the box and all the stuff to go in it!
Make out your shopping list
Go to the USPS office and pick up an appropriate shipping box.
In my case, I found I could load and send two "Domestic" Priority Mail boxes.
I took the box with me to the store, and noted if the items to ship would fit that box.
Load up box, leave one flap easy to open, in case the Post Office counter-person wants to
inspect the contents.
Also write out a "shipping manifest" to go into the box. This could help postal workers to
reassemble the shipment if the box should break. Xerox a copy for your records (or store
on computer)
Point #7: Time to mail!
Take your box(es) to your local post office.
Fill out a Form 2976 or Form 2976-A for customs purposes.
I used the Form 2976-A for each box. Here is the important part...put this verbatim phrase in the
box for description of the box contents:
"Certified to be a bona fide gift, personal effects, or items for personal use of
military personnel and their dependents."
Pay the shipping charges. In my case, it cost about $14 for me to send a TOTALLY packed
Priority Mail box, weighing about 10 pounds.
Priority Mail going the APO or FPO route should take 10-15 days to arrive; the less expensive
parcel route takes more like 24 days.
Point *8: Contact your service person, if possible
Because tracking is not available for even Priority Mail going through the APO/FPO
system, send an e-mail to your service-person to let them know the package is on the way;
include the "shipping manifest" in the e-mail for two reasons.
The shipping manifest lets the service-person know what material is "in the pipeline" and thus
they can customize/re-prioritize their wish-list for other donors.
I always send him American food/candy/cookies and various types of toiletries. However, for the Christmas package, I wanted something taht I can wrap in Christmas paper for him to open or to give to his friends, if he so chooses. I might just stick in Xmas paper, Scotch tape, and ribbon so he can wrap his gifts too.
Thanks to everyone for the great suggestions.
My nephew in Baghdad also requests snacks and hard candy. He says they don't always make it in the best condition but they taste the same so he doesn't care.
He also requests specific books, CDs, and DVDs (we sent him a portable DVD player).
Books and magazines are good for trading once the service person is done with them.
I have but it has always been pretty specific, like peppermint tea, gummy bears and stationary for three particular troops I sent to.
What I find works is just going through the grocery thinking about what I'd like to have out there, knowing the limits of the facilities.
This is how I came up with the boxed drinks and small cans of fruit and applesauce.
Oh, I also had a request for saltines specifically.
The snack "combos" those little hard pizza roll up snacks travel well as does peanut butter and jelly, get plastice jars.
Some of these things add weight but it is worth the extra cost if you can afford it.
Good luck.
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