Before Mailing Our Your Soldier A Package
***DO NOT SEND PORK OR PORK BY-PRODUCTS!***
Watch out when sending goodies that melt easily or are perishable. Even if you are sending the package in,
for example, February, there is a possibility that it may not be delivered until April, when it will be well
above 90 degrees on a daily basis. Granted that this delay is not the most likely scenario,
but it is entirely possible. *See GENERAL INFO*
If you feel like you absolutely must send things like this (chocolates, etc.), by all means do, but be sure to pack
them very well and in separate, non-porous packaging (like a tin can...coffee cans work well) so that if
they do melt or spoil it won't ruin everything else in the box.
The USPS advises not to send Chocolate at all and I would follow that advice! It WILL melt!
Alcohol is not allowed, but of course, some people are trying to smuggle it into/out of the country.
The problem with this is that if your soldier gets caught, even if they didn't know you sent them alcohol,
he/she may be in BIG trouble. Don't take the risk.
First of all, this is against customs in the countries you're shipping to.
That being said....
While many couples like this idea, remember that not only is it illegal, but others can easily obtain things
like this from your guy and you might end up being passed around his unit. He may take every precaution to keepphotos/items secure, but in close-quarters situations like they are in now, you really never know. And even password-protected CD-ROM's/VDR's/DVD's are not 100% safe from...that's right...HACKERS. It does greatly reduce the chance, though. Passwords on simple electronic items like this are very easy to override for even an average computer user. Just make sure that if you do make the decision to send these things, you (and your guy) are comfortable with the idea of others seeing/handling them as well. Again, this might not be the most likely scenario, but if you've learned anything from your military relationship, it should be to expect the unexpected. AGAIN... "personal porn" or "for your eyes only" items are still considered pornography, and are also forbidden by local customs.
I have noticed on several forums, chats, and discussion boards that people seem to either not
be aware of the dangers/risks of sending certain items or they just don't think about them.
I hope you will consider this:
It is recommended (strongly) that you not send any of the above listed items (chocolate, alcohol, porn, etc.).
But in addition to that, there are a few other things you should consider. Remember that whatever
you send is subject to local customs and the intense heat of the region. Be respectful of the Islamic faith
prevelant in the region and consider the sheer phsysics of the heat (don't send things that can expand
and explode). That being the case, I would very strongly urge you to think about the fact that
these things are illegal and/or offensive or will not survive the trip:
Alcohol
Pornography and other sexually explicit materials
ABSOLUTELY NO PORK or pork by-products
Chocolate
Anything in an aerosol can (shaving cream, pressurized air, etc.)
Narcotics
Anything contrary to Islam (although I understand that sending one Bible or Torah or religious greeting
card to a few soldiers is usually not a problem...what we're talking about here are bulk mailings)
Munitions
Fruits, Vegetables, Plants
If you're sending things small enough to fit in a large envelope, consider using a shoebox instead.
The postal service is advising that bulky envelopes will be opened. Many people have lost
things like CD's because they were sent in a big envelope instead of a box. Just use good judgment.
It's probably not such a good idea to send over a lot of things he/she doesn't need. While one civilian t-shirt might be okay, they don't get "weekends" or "days off" like normal, so be careful about civilian goods that they can't use. Also, send things in packages they can throw away instead of sentimental tins or other packaging that they might want to keep.
