- 1). Even if your intention isn't to send mail to a particular friend of family member, it is no longer permitted to address mail to "Any Soldier" or something similar. Choose a soldier's name at anysoldier.com if you don't have a particular person in mind. Write a soldier's name on the package, the army unit's name, APO (Army Post Office) as the city, and AE (Armed Forces Europe) as the state, then specify the zip code and put United States as the country. All packages sent to the troops must go through U.S. Postal Service mail, so they can be scanned for security purposes at a postal center in the United States before they are sent to the troops.
- 2). Contact the U.S. Postal Service for free boxes, forms, labels, and tape, specific to sending packages to Iraq and Afghanistan. Call 1-800-610-8734, press 1, and inquire about the Military Kit. This saves a lot of money and it makes sure that you get the proper supplies required to successfully send mail to these distressed areas. Send the package ahead of time. The mailing duration can be anywhere between seven and 21 days, or longer during holiday times. Mail your package three weeks in advance, if it needs to get there by a special occasion or date.
- 3). Include the soldier's name and address on the inside of the package, as well as on the outside. In case it gets damaged or the address isn't legible anymore, it can still get to the recipient. Mail being sent overseas often undergoes weather and handling wear and tear.
- 4). Measure and weigh your package, as nothing more than 84 inches long or more than 130 inches when you add the length and the girth will be accepted. No packages that weigh more than 70 pounds are mailed, either. Fill out the right customs form with the most exact information possible. All packages are scanned with an X-ray. Forms aren't necessary with cards and letters that weigh less than 16 ounces. For packages that weigh less than 1 pound and are worth less than $400, use Form 2976. For all letters, cards, and packages that weigh 1 pound or more (regardless of their worth), use Form 2976-A and the 2976-E envelope. On the customs form, it is wise to write a smaller value than your package is actually worth, to decrease the chances of stealing. Mark "Gift" on the form rather than "Merchandise" to avoid import taxes.
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