Tips for Forwarding Armed Services Mail
When you are sending mail to members of the armed forces there are a few key pieces of information you should know before mailing letters and/or packages. This information is particularly vital to know if your service member is stationed in another country.
- Complete a customs form for each package you mail to overseas posts. These forms should include all items that are shipped within the package.
- Mail letters to the unit in which your service member serves. You could send it directly to the base in which the service member was stationed prior to deployment. The letter is then forwarded to the appropriate federal post office box assigned to his or her unit in the deployment country.
- Ship items that are intended for service members who are deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan at least 25 days prior to a major holiday such as Christmas. It generally takes at least 20 days for a service member to receive a package from the United States while in these Middle Eastern countries. Considering the holiday rush during the Christmas season it is better to be safe than sorry.
- Learn which restrictions apply to mail letters and packages that are sent to service members. For example although in the United States your service member has freedom of religion this is not the case on foreign soil. In some foreign countries you are allowed to send one or two items related to religious faiths. However if your service member is deployed to countries of the Islamic faith you are not allowed to send any religious items that contradict the Islamic faith. Although this may seem unfair doing so, if received, could place your service member in danger.