Care Packages for Our Favorite Soldier!!

Hello, friends and family!!  Once again, I am updating the blog.  As you know, Patrick will be deploying shortly.  For his safety over seas and my safety here at home, I will not be posting details on this blog.  (Ex. departure dates, specific locations, his address, etc)  I will be happy to send that information out in an email or through a facebook message.  I'll address this in more detail in a later blog.  However, I will say this.  I will be receiving that information myself on Wednesday, June 19th.  Feel free to contact me if you would like this information before I get it to you!


As we prepare for the upcoming deployment, many of you are asking how to send care packages to Patrick. I have found a helpful forum website that has some great information. I will post the link as well as the information, in case anyone wants to learn more.


  http://www.militarysos.com/forum/care-packages

Care Package Ideas

USPS has put together a "mili-kit" with all of the supplies you will need. The kit includes:

Military Care Package Mailing Kit
Since Priority Mail service supplies are the packaging of choice for families preparing care packages for service members overseas, the USPS has created a "Mili-kit" based on the items most frequently requested by the military.
The kit contains:

• Three (3) each of flat rate boxes O-FRB1 and O-FRB2
• Two (2) each of Cube boxes OBOX7
• Address labels - Label # 228: 8 each
• Address labels - Label # 106-A: 1 each
• Customs FORM 2976-A: 8 EA.
• Customs FORM Envelope 2976-E: 8 EA.

You can get these items individually from any post office or their website.

You can get them all together and delivered to your front door for FREE by following the directions below.

The kit may be requested by calling 1-800-610-8734 (Packing Supply)

• Choose your language (“1” is English, “2” is Spanish).
• Choose option 1 (it states it is for Express Mail service, Priority Mail or Global Express Guaranteed).
• When you reach a live agent, request “CAREKIT04.”
• Please allow 7-10 days for delivery.

Note: These are free supplies, postage must be affixed.

The boxes in this kit are flat rate and ship for the same price regardless of how much they weigh. The boxes (included in the kit), their pictures, dimensions, and prices to ship are as follows:

• O-FRB1  11" X 8.5" X 5.5" $10.35
• O-FRB2 11-7/8" x 3-3/8" x 13-5/8" $10.35
• OBOX7  12" x 12" x 5-1/2" $11.85

RULES FOR WHAT CAN BE SENT
There are some rules regarding what you can/cannot send in care packages. Some of these vary by country. Generally, they are:

• No obscene/pornographic material (magazines, movies, etc.)
• No Bulk religious material (enough for personal use only)
• No Pork/pork by-products
• Absolutely NO alcohol.
• No Aerosol items (deodorant, bug spray, canned air, etc) should also not be sent for safety reasons.

TIPS FOR PACKING

• Toiletries (lotion, toothpaste, etc) are best shipped in ziplock bags. This will keep them from getting all over everything if they leak/bust.
• If possible, it's best to separate toiletries from food as much as possible. No one wants to eat cookies that taste like soap.  The bags will also help that.
• Consider temperatures. It's probably not a good idea to send a huge box of chocolate during the summer months.
• Cushion breakables.
• Don't send battery operated items with the batteries in them. You don't want it to turn on during shipment.

Addressing the Package
Use the address labels that come in the kit. DO NOT write the city/country in any part of the address. Use the service member's rank, full name when addressing. 
Be sure to include a return address.

Here's an example. These are not real names or addresses.

 

Sealing and Finishing Touches
The box (if not flat rate) should be free of writing on that outside that suggests it's something else. For the flat-rate boxes, that won't be an issue and you should use the priority tape that comes in the kit. Seal all the cracks and secure the package with tape. Don't be afraid of using too much. Place the address label on the bottom, right-hand corner of one side of the package. A customs form is also necessary for shipping internationally but the post office worker will put that on for you later.

Customs Forms
Either use the customs form that comes in the kit or ask your local USPS worker to set you up with the correct one. There are several carbon copies so be sure to press down hard enough that it goes through. The bottom layer will serve as your receipt and you want to make sure it's legible. On the form you need to fill out:

• Names/Addresses for both the sender and the recipient.
• "Detailed" description of the contents. (Magazines, snacks, letters, etc). Do not worry about individual weights of the items. It's in the package's best interest for you NOT to list any valuable/electronics because that make it more prone to theft or "disappearing".
• Check "gift".

The postal worker will weigh the package when you arrive at the post office and fill out the remainder of the form for you so be sure not to put it in it's clear envelope. When they are done, they will ask you to approve the form with your signature. They will then put the form in the envelope and attach it to the outside of your box. This is something you should let them do. It's easier that way.

Here's an example of the instructions on the front.



The areas circled in blue are what you'll need to fill out.



Insurance
*This section is iffy. Ask your postal worker for clarification.*
You can also insure the contents of your package with USPS. Just let the postal worker know you want it. The cost of the insurance will depend on the value of the contents but is fairly inexpensive. This will protect you against lost/stolen/damaged packages even after the package is out of the USPS's hands. To help your case, it is also a good idea to take pictures of the package/what's in it so that you have proof of the value.
Shipping Time Frame
Now your package is on it's way. Here's a table that gives ESTIMATED times of shipping. These will and do vary.

oIRAQ / AFGHANISTAN / MIDDLE EAST

(APO / FPO AE ZIP™ Codes beginning with 093)
Express Mail Military Service ................................Not Available
First-Class Mail / Priority Mail™ ...............................7–13 Days
Package Services (*) ...............................................20–24 Days

oJAPAN / KOREA / PACIFICISLANDS / FAR EAST

(APO / FPO AP ZIP™ Codes beginning with 962–966)
Express Mail Military Service .........................................3 Days
First-Class Mail / Priority Mail™ .................................7–9 Days
Package Services (*) ...............................................30–45 Days


Do NOT pay to have the package shipped more quickly. Once your package reaches the country it's headed to, it's out of the hands of the USPS and it will often take just as long regardless.