Thanks for the ping and thanks to JK for hosting the photos.
Our nephew and his Co. deployed right after Thanksgiving. On a website set up for family and friends, one of the items mentioned in the news section was what can and cannot be sent in CARE pkgs.
Senders were cautioned that sending magazines with photos of women in shorts, swim suits etc would be considered contraband in the ME culture. Several folks were a bit upset because every magazine has advertising using models in stages of dress or undress whatever the viewers opinion might be. Hot Rod magazines, Golf Digest, you name it, is going to have photos in either articles or advertising.
Soldiers are instructed on what to do with said "contraband".
We have adopted our nephew and one soldier in the unit for the duration of their deployment. We use the flat-rate boxes available at the USPS for shipments. Customs form must also be filled out. Flat-rate is $8.30 postage + whatever insurance etc we choose. Boxes measure 8 1/2 X 11 x 6 inches. A bargain rate to provide a taste of home for our troops.
CUSTOMS FORM
First, list what you are putting in the box and its value as you pack in the items, and before you seal the box make sure you've got a complete list.
The customs form (available at the Post Office, a half page size white form) has multiple copies, so press hard when you are filling it out.
Under sender's name: put a little line or N/A in the "business" line, and USA in country line before you fill out the rest of the spaces.
Under addressee's Name, cross out business and street and just write in the address information between the soldier's name and the APO zip code, then cross out city and put “APO AE” in front of it and the APO number after it. Put nothing in the “country” line.
Check "airmail priority" (due to security, this is the only way you can send gifts to unknown recipients)
Check "gift"
Skip down to the bottom, sign and date it with the date you will be mailing it out.
Move over to the right and check EITHER "return to sender" (you have to send priority USPS and return postage is paid for you if they can't deliver it when it goes priority.)
OR check "redirect" and write "commander" or “chaplain” or a specific name you’ve been given and the same APO info, in case your contact is injured and evacuated and you don't want the stuff sent back.
Insurance is up to you, but I tend not to insure stuff not valued near $100 or if it doesn't contain CD's or DVD's or things more likely to be stolen or damaged.
Finally, you need to fill out the not large enough blank space for
"Detailed description of contents".
The trick is to categorize your items as much as possible, so you end up with as few lines as possible.
NOTE: if you are sending more than one box that contain different items, put "# 1", etc. on the box (like under the post office logo under the return address, and put "# 1", etc. on the customs form for it to the right of "description of contents". This way you won't mix up which form goes with which box.
Don't hesitate to list like items in a row if they won’t fit when written one under each other, like
stationery: 4 boxes 72 pencils, 3 pkgs 12 pens, 2 pkgs 40 erasers,..
or toiletries: 4 deodorant, 6 toothpaste, 1 pk razors, 3 body powder, etc.
or movies: 2 DVD, 1 VHS
or snacks: 2 bags candy, 5 bags microwave popcorn, 4 packs gum…
Then put the total number of boxes, bags, pkgs, loose items in that line in
the QTY. column next to it.
IGNORE THE WEIGHT COLUMN.
Put the combined value of everything in each line in the VALUE column.
ADD all the values in the value column for the total value.
IGNORE all the other boxes.
IF you have more questions, just ask patriciaruth.
FORBIDDEN ITEMS:
1. ALCOHOL and flammables (including mouthwash, perfume, aftershave, nail polish remover and nail care products, lighter fluid),
2. GLASS containers or other breakable items,
3. HOMEBAKED goods (only commercially wrapped food with good outdate is allowed by nonfamily members as many of these items get moldy during the long overseas shipping time and also to avoid unintended or intentional food poisoning),
4. PORK or any pork containing products, even if only used in manufacturing,*
5. RELIGIOUS items if you don’t know the person,
6. LIQUIDS (lotion, wet wipes, shampoo, conditioner, roll-on/stick deodorant, etc. are okay, but need to be put in ziplock bags in case they leak or melt. Double check caps are screwed on tight.)
7. large cans AEROSOLS (if send small travel size cans, please put in ziplock bags )
8. BATTERIES cannot go IN the device that needs them, due to electrical spark hazard and chemical leak hazard of older batteries. Remove any batteries and include a SEALED pack of new batteries of the size needed.
Also forbidden:
9. TOBACCO
10. firearms and ammo,
11. combustibles and explosives,
12. drugs
13. PORN
*If you buy jerked sausage, Slim Jims, or like products, be sure they are label all beef, and no pork products are listed in the ingredient label. AND when you write them on the customs form, write ALL BEEF sausage or such, so the box isn’t rejected for loading on the outgoing mail plane.