Care Packages - lists of items, how to order priority boxes and how to fill out customs forms

[Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom]

You can order the large, priority-rate military boxes at this link: USPS Priority Mail FPO/APO Flat Rate Boxes - delivery is free. 

Or call and get the 'Military Pack' that includes six boxes, customs forms, tape and address labels at 1-800-610-8734.

This N4M group has creative and practical ideas to share: N4M Care Package Ideas

Just introduce yourself and everyone will chime in :) There is good info in the discussion groups, too for themes, food preparation and packaging etc.

I put together this list of often-requested items, complete packing and shipping info and tips, and a sample customs form, too -

Care package items and shipping tips.pdf and (shorter) Care packages 101

You can send up to 70 lbs in the large priority box, cost to mail is $12.95.

Deadlines for shipping, in order to arrive by the 2010 holidays:  NAVSUP pre-12:25:10 delivery mail-by dates.pdf

[Seabee.Mom.Idaho]

for APO addresses, its $12.50 for the large flat rate boxes. Depending on which post office you go to, they will try to charge me the full rate, but you have to firm with the postal staff, it is only $12.50 for military.  Some post office branches are more knowledgeable, so once you find a good branch, keep goingto them.  my local post office tried to tell me that the $12.50 rate was going to be changed to a higher rate, but unless i see the Post office lettering people know, i don't think its true.  And its a lot easier to just go down to the Post Office and pick up those free boxes.

[TexasDocMom]

The web site says 12.95...just fyi...

USPS web site package info

[lynda n]

Thanks for the info.  My Army son just deployed to Afghanistan last week, so we're getting ready to ship him stuff he is asking for (pillow, sheets, blanket,) the PX there doesn't have much, he had a lot more otions  in Iraq.

[rysony]

Hi Lynda,

 

  My name is Diane. Finally I found a site where I could communicate with other Moms that son's are deployed to Afghanistan. My son just arrived in Spin Boldak 2 weeks ago. He is Navy but working with the Army. He is a canine dog bomb handler. I have to run to the store but I am so excited to talk with you.

[rysony]

I am trying to get my profile done and some pics uploaded.

 

[TexasDocMom]

Bumping to the top...

[Chief88]

Fill those flat rate boxes every inch with something that could be used when sending overseas. Other wise if sending stateside use snailmail, it seems to get there in the same time frame. Unless you are sending to HI which has a terrible mailing results. I sent my son socks that never got there at all and because I sent them via company they are just lost! Funny I sent a practice care package to him there in HI and it followed him to 29 palms Cali and got there to him in training. Funny things happen this way! The Marines loved it and so did my son. Guess those socks are sporting different large feet somewhere!

[Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom]

Hi Glenda!  Is your son deploying soon?  Basing this on a corpsman mom who just gave me her son's current requests, plus my son's roommate who was there in summertime:  packs of tube socks as they go through them like crazy; same for towels.  Powdered drink mixes to add to water (Powerade, lemonade, single serving coffee etc).   This is the favored company for socks:  http://www.foxsox.com/ - though friend said tube socks were just as welcome by him & his buddies if not more b/c they get wet etc and it's good to be able to just replace them.  Also moms are sending cooling bandannas, great price at http://www.uscav.com/search.aspx?search=cooling+bandanna&tabid=...

[TexasDocMom]

Fox sox are good for dry conditions and back in camp, they are like putting on air, they are so soft! Tube socks for the wet and lots of them, they'll toss those.  My son said that the foxsox are padded up where they lace their boots, other wise they'll use duct tape to protect their shin skin. Seems to be more now, I remember it was 12.99 on the site, and they'll ship for free to Afghanistan. I found them with google for 9.99, and he took a bunch with him  and we sent more. He still wears them all the time.

If your son is leaving soon, he'll be there during the heat of the summer. Send lotions, etc as soon as possible so they don't melt and do not forget to put them in zip locks. Everything in zip locks, and send extra, all sizes, as big as you can get. Battery opertated fans? lots of batteries.  Cooling bandannas. Soft pillow cases, an old sheet that's soft. Dove soap.

[TexasDocMom]

I'm in Austin! My son recently discharged from the Navy after 7 years, and lives in San Antonio.

[D~W~G]

I hope you all do not mind if I steal your JPG to share with others :) 

[Chief88]

I'm making a list of the most wanted things from Sailors and Marines I had sent to. I stayed away from junk foods as much as possible but Nutella was worth it's weight in gold I have been told and A1 sauce!

Never mix hygiene with food items, things can tend to taste funny if packed together!

1. Water boiler, you can find one that has a rectangle shape in CVS cost about 23.00 it fits in a flat rate box better than the round pot looking one. My son said they were able to take almost everwhere and plugged into truck outlet as well as the one they had from generator! They used it for everything from soup to tea! 

2. Plenty of canned meats, I sent chicken, stews etc. Of course the chef boy r dee! 

3.Ramen noodles they mix it with MRE's and other stuff/canned meats and such!

4.Jerky..I made my own using oven drying method, which you can google but ended up buy a dehydrator and dried fruits like apples and oranges too along with corm and string beans too.  spent time doing but was able to send more since it so cost savings a huge one. That dehydrator paid for itself real quick!

5. Granola also made my own and they loved it. Cheap also

I bought a food saver to seal everything each can since they can get damaged and ruin other items in box. This was a little expensive but I still use it at home all the time. Found bags cheaper at costco

6.Plenty of socks since washing was hard to do there.ended up getting the large bags at costco also better quality than dollar store. I shoved those socks in crannies to fill up box too!

7. Those potatoes that come in bags from Idahoan, they mixed with canned meats and gravy I sent too.

8. Those flat taco soft wraps were the best to make PB&J and tuna etc!

9. canned fruits all kinds, don't send the clear cups since they can spoil if held out to long in a heated area.

10. nuts and dried fruits all kinds. 

11. Vitamins and cough drops were asked for.

12. Gum and hard candies.

13. Hygiene products and "Baby Wipes"! Plenty of wipes.....

14. Solar shower it lasted for them 3 months till it sprang a leak!

15. Books not romance but current ones, I shopped garage sales and friends were happy to unload also

15. scrabble with pocket dictionary a huge hit1

16. cards and small board games. I sent Trivial pursuit cards they loved this.

17. You can find cheeses that don't need to be refrigerated and meat sausages that aren't pork!

18. Foot powder and creams to ward off any fungus, they walk in a lot of watern there.

19. Mouse traps yes there is an issue with them there.

20. Zip ties all sizes

21. Cards to mail home to families like birthday, , etc!

22. Current magazines!

23. Tissues and TP which I vac sealed to condense!

24. Powdered milk and container to make in.

25. spices small sizes to season food

26. Hot sauce

27. microwavable dinners from shel at stores. My son add access to a MW

28.Muscle Milk powder and shaker!

29. Home made cookies, brownies all sealed up. You can use cookie tins and seal with saran wrap well. Pack with unseasoned fresh pop corn to prevent breakage.

30. Yes M&M's made a safe trip there and almost never melted. The bad food i sent! LOL

 Sorry this is so long but the list goes on

Any questions about anything just PM me!