IRAQ & KUWAIT
there and I wouldn't dare to speculate. If anyone has any info that could help, please let me know. Thanks!***
The USPS offers free shipping supplies for the families of deployed soldiers. The number to call is 1.800.610.8734
and they don't ask for specific verification so I would think that non-family members (girlfriends, etc.) ought to be
able to get the service as well. I took advantage of this and it was great. The operator was very friendly and they
send you everything by mail at no cost to you. The boxes come in cases of 25 and the sizes they offer are
7x7x6 and 12x12x8 Priority Mail boxes. You can also get Priority Mail tape, shipping labels, and customs forms.
*The DUCK brand (as in Duck Tape brand duct tape) makes a dispenser that fits Priority Mail tape if you are
interested. I got mine at Office Max because Office Depot didn't have them, so I'm not sure where else to
tell you to go. They are about $7 or so.
I don't send my packages Priority at all. It really only makes a difference to get it to the Army Post Office faster, depending on where you live. Because I live on the east coast and my APO is a NY address, there really isn't any difference for me. Instead, I get the free USPS boxes, flip them inside-out, and use clear tape. Also, don't go to the P.O. with a Priority label and ask to send it regular mail. Instead, clip off the "Priority" part of the labels (top portion). This will still save you big bucks if you're sending out packages every couple weeks or even once a month for several months.
of the rotation of troops that is happening . That being the case, expect delays just to be on the safe side,
especially when sending perishables and/or something that could melt (neither of which you should be sending anyway). The weather may be mild now, but by late March the weather is almost always above 100 degrees
daily, so take that into consideration. If you sent a package February 1st it's possible that it won't be
delivered until late March or early April.
packages are arriving crushed and/or ruined because of bad packing. Putting things like little candies throughout the packagemaybe be very sweet and romantic for a trip to England, but it can be a disaster in Iraq or Kuwait.
If your goodies melt (and there's a GOOD chance they will) they can ruin everything else in the box.That's not very pretty or romantic, so think about protection first when packing. Make sure that if you are adamant about sending easily-melting candies or goodies, they are packed very well, in a separate, non-porous container. Aluminum cans are best for this. Consider putting the goodies in a Ziplock bag and then inside a tin or aluminum container. Coffee cans are good for this b/c they're not generally sentimental, so they can toss it when done. Remember that you can still make this pretty and sweet for your honey. Of course, you can still make it sweet without chocolate (HINT HINT!) **See MAKE IT PERSONAL**.
You'll want to cushion everything very well to make sure the box doesn't get crushed, as many of them do.
Include lots of packing materials to make sure that nothing inside the box is loosely tumbling around and thereis no "free space" in the box. Try not to send too much bubble wrap or packing peanuts. Instead, consider using softer items that you're sending that can fit in any cracks (like bags of candy, etc.). Make sure that you use a good quality shipping tape, no string, yarn, etc. Using lots of tape on the outside of the box will help to reinforce it by helping to distribute pressure more evenly around the box (like when you tape your windows during a hurricane or bad storm). Also, tape up all open seams around the box. This helps prevent snagging on conveyor belts and protects from rain (and sand once it gets over there). Tape over the label as well to protect ink from smearing, and I like to put my husband's address INSIDE the box, in case it is opened at customs and the outside label is affected.
stamp normally goes, so don't worry about send stamps. HOWEVER...make sure he/she is well-supplied with
paper, pens, and envelopes. It is my understanding that envelopes up to CD-Mailer size are free to send.
They are allowed to go to bazaars and markets sometimes so your soldier might send you something from
over there. If he/she mentions anything to you about that, be sure to remind them NOT to send any kind of
weapons (even decorative ones) because everything they send is subject to search and they will be
confiscated. They've already been told this (repeatedly, I'm sure) but go ahead and remind them anyway,
as a lot of people seem to be "forgetting". Also, very expensive and breakable items shouldn't be sent.
You don't want to get a package full of pieces that used to be a beautiful plate or figurine.
Packages can be sent Space Available. Obviously that takes longer, so if he/she says he/she sent something in
May, don't worry too much if it still isn't there at the end of June. Try to be patient and
realize that Space Available means exactly that...it will be sent as soon as they have room.
Large and/or bulky envelopes will be opened! If you have something like a CD that you want to send along
with a letter, for example, consider using a small box so that the envelope doesn't get opened and the CD lost.
Even if you are one of the very lucky few who gets to talk to your soldier every few days through
e-mail or phone, it's still nice to hear your name at mail call. If you talk a lot and don't
have much to say in writing, send a greeting card just to say hi. They'll be especially surprised
that you thought of them that way, given how much you already communicate.
