Included in this section many of the lessons that have been learned about shipping to our deployed service personnel.  This list of hints is by no means inclusive, and please feel free to send me anything you think should be added!

MILITARY ADDRESS'S: All come with their own set of specific restrictions.  Restrictions change, sometimes frequently.  Ensure you are in compliance with your soldiers restrictions by checking them OFTEN!!!!
 
ADDRESSING YOUR PACKAGE:  All packages must be addressed to a specific person, not to a title, job position or "Any Soldier".  Write or Print your labels in large, block letters that are easily readable.  Once you have addressed the package, cover the entire address with clear tape!
 
ORIGINAL PACKAGING: Keep products and food in the ORIGINAL MANUFACTURER'S wrap and/or box to facilitate quicker inspections and final delivery.
 
PROTECTING THE CONTENTS: One thing to remember when packing a care package is protection and padding.  Before packing up your box, line the box with a industrial strength garbage can bag.  The bag protects the contents from all manner of things.  During the Spring and Summer months, it keeps dust out of the package.  During the Fall and Winter months, it protects the contents from water damage.  If your box opens during shipping, the garbage bag keeps it all contained.
 
EXTRA ADDRESS LABEL: After you've packed your box and sealed the garbage bag up, tape a extra mailing label to the bag before sealing the box.  If the box is damaged or destroyed, the bag will keep the contents together and the address label will tell the postal workers where it should go to.
 
BOX TYPES:  A general rule of thumb, the smaller the box, the faster it travels.  All packages mailed to our troops are shipped on pallets, using uniform sized boxes that are easy to stack helps speed things along.  Large or oversized boxes may not fit the pallet as easy and be looked over for more uniform boxes to fit the load.  The US Post Office will provide priority shipping supplies for free, visit the Priority Supply list under the Links section of this website for a comprehensive list of supplies you can order.  You can also call USPS at 1-800-610-8734 and request the Military Pack. 
 
Customs Forms: Customs forms are required for all packages over 16 ounces.  Customs form requirements will usually be outlined in your soldiers Zip code restrictions, another reason to check those restrictions frequently.  The general rule of thumb is that the small or green form can be used for packages 16 ounces up to 3.99 pounds.  The long or white form is required for all packages in excess of 4 pounds.  PLEASE NOTE: that is just a general rule of thumb!!! Check your zip restrictions for specific information.  Another note on customs forms.  The long (white) form will allow you an area to redirect your package to another address if it cannot be delivered to your soldier, the small (green) form does not allow for redirection.
 
INSURANCE ON PACKAGES: Yes, you can insure your packages to APO/FPO addresses and the insurance will cover the package until it arrives in your soldiers hands. This does apply to combat zones. Make sure to keep your receipts and forms for the insurance. You have up to one year from the date the package was mailed to file any claims. The insurance covers loss or damage. Consult with your local Post Office for information and/or claims.
 
PLASTIC STORAGE TUBS:  If your soldier is in a semi-permanent location, consider using a storage tub in place of a box.  Rubber Maid Rough Neck tubs have locking lids and ship great!  They come in a range of sizes to accommodate most any item you wish to send.  They can be reused by your soldier for storing their belongings, as furniture, for shipping stuff back home, etc.
 
TAPE: When packing your boxes up, use either clear plastic packing tape or priority mail tape.  Do not use masking tape, duct tape or scotch tape, these simply do not hold up during shipping.  When packing in plastic storage tubs, use fiberglass strapping tape.  Make sure to tape all of the exterior seams on your boxes.
 
PACKING FILLER: Strength is everything, there is no guarantee if your box will be the one on the TOP of the pallet or the BOTTOM of the pallet.  The box must be able to support the weight of those that may be loaded on top of it.  Dead space in the box creates weak points where the box may collapse when others are stacked upon it.  Rather that leaving voids or filling the voids with lightweight packing material, go for strength.  Loose hard candy makes a wonderful filler for all those tiny air spaces in a package.  Unshelled peanuts is another great filler.
 
RE-USABLE PACKING MATERIALS: Individual packets of Kleenex used as packing material; it helps to cushion other items in the package, the tissues are conveniently pocket sized, and they can use it for toilet paper which is in short supply in many places! Use plastic grocery sacks as packing material, they are great for stuffing in between odd shaped items, they take on any shape and best off, they are free!
 
SENDING LIQUIDS: Consideration should be made when packing items that may break or open during shipping.  If you are sending anything such as drink boxes, mouthwash, shampoo, toothpaste or any powdered drink mix, you should package these items in their own zip loc bags prior to packing them.   No one wants to pack up a box, only to have it confiscated and torn apart because there was a strange, powdery substance leaking from the box.
 
PACKING SOAP: Never pack soap in the same package as food stuffs.  Even if packaged in Zip Loc bags, the odor from the soap will permeate the food items and make them extremely unpalatable.
 

BAKED GOODS: When sending home made baked goods, again you want to think of durability in the packaging and how well the item will travel.  Do a test in your own home kitchen.  Bake the item and pack it up as if you were going to ship it, then let it sit in a cabinet or on your counter for 3-4 weeks and check and see if it's even still edible!  Sometimes we luck out, and our mail makes it to our troops in 14 days or less, but you cannot count on this.  Things happen, bridges get blown up, supply routes become unsafe or are changed, people get injured or are sick and there are not as many hands available to sort mail.  All of this must be taken in to account when packing for the sandbox of choice.

Nestle USA's baking products has added a section that provides great tips for making and sending homemade treats, as well as "desert safe recipes". Visit their web site here.

Pack home made baked goods with a slice of bread or sliced plain bagel to help keep the item fresh during shipping.  Unbuttered, un-salted popcorn helps protects cookies from breaking. 

 
DISPOSABLE CAMERAS: When sending cameras, be sure to add a small, padded envelope for return mail.  Weigh the camera in the envelope and add the necessary postage to the envelope in advance so your soldier can mail the camera back home.  Alternatively, slip a couple of dollars in to the padded envelope so they can pay for the postage to ship it back.  The only "Free Mail" allowed is letters. 

Waterproof disposable camera are a bit more impervious to the conditions they are exposed to and may hold up better.  Please remember, DO NOT publish any photo's that you may receive.  Let your soldier share or publish their photos once they get home.
 
JUST REMEMBER: Its not the merchandise that is in the box that matters as much as the love and attention that went in to putting the box together.  Do not feel bad because you cannot run out and build a 100 pound wonder of a box, the little packages mean as much if not more than the shopping store in cardboard.

If you have any suggestions or would like to see something added, please do not hesitate to email me!