How to pack a care package for the troops overseas

Receiving care packages is a special thing for any soldier who is stationed overseas. However, mailing the packages may not be as easy as it sounds. There are a few things involved in mailing a care package that you don't know about. This article will sum up these things for you and also give you some tips on what soldiers are requesting for their packages.

Boxes

Shipping is getting pretty darn expensive these days, but the postal service has tried to make things a bit easier for mailing to the troops. The flat rate boxes are the best deal for sending care packages because they do not go by weight and you can jam as much stuff as you can into the box.

The flat rate box costs are as follows. Small=$4.50, Medium=$10.70, Large=$14.50. But, if you get the large one and are shipping it to an APO address (overseas) it is $2.00 off, making it $12.50 instead.

Also, you can order a military care kit for free. The kit contains two "America Supports You" large Priority Mail Flat Rate boxes, four medium-sized Priority Mail Flat Rate boxes, six Priority Mail labels, one roll of Priority Mail tape and six customs forms with envelopes. All you have to do to receive this kit is call 1800-610-8734. I just did this and it is very simple, no waiting around on hold or going through a bunch of options just to talk to a person.

Customs Forms

The customs forms are a pain in the butt. My advice is to get the customs forms before you go to the post office. The reason for this is that every single thing going into the box must be written down on the customs form. If you have a lot of items going into your package you don't want to find yourself at a table in the post office trying to go through everything. It is much easier to get the customs forms ahead of time and fill them out at home.

If you do not order the military care kit, then simply ask your local post office for some customs forms to take home with you. Get the boxes ahead of time too!

What are the troops asking for:

If you need ideas for what to send in a care package, here is a list of some of the things they are asking for. Of course not everything will be on this list, so remember what you would want to have if you were over there and perhaps that would be something you could send over as well.

• Pencils

• Black pens

• Bars of soap

• Shampoo

• Socks (black or white)

• Snacks (beef jerky, trail mix, cookies)

• Single drink mixes for water bottles (Crystal light, Hawaiian punch)

• Shoe inserts

• Toothbrushes and toothpaste

• Flip Flops (shower shoes)

• Black gloves

• Baby wipes

• Envelopes

• Notebooks/paper

• Books/Magazines

• Small games (Cards, Dominos)

Tips for packing

A couple things to remember when packing the care package.

• If it can leak then put it in a plastic baggie. Anything, including stuff like shaving cream, needs to be put in a baggie or else it may leak on the rest of the stuff in the package.

• Do not send anything pornographic.

• Use a seal-a-meal for homemade items like cookies or candies. Using the seal-a-meal will make the package of treats air tight and keep it fresh longer.

• Instead of Styrofoam popcorn, use real popcorn. Pop it and put it in large ziplock baggies. Then items like the homemade cookies have less chance of being crushed by the time they get to the soldiers.

If you have anything to add to these lists and tips please feel free to comment below. Care packages are something every soldier looks forward to getting and hopefully this article will help you or someone you know make a soldier happy!