Question about Anysoldier package

[TMoore72]

I'm getting ready to mail my first box of items to my contact for the Anysoldier program.

I assume I have to complete a customs form for this, and if so, have any of you that regularly send items had any problems with these?

Thanks.

Theresa

[Leanna]

Nope, no problems at all, and I have sent, probably, 40 of them! It looks intimidating, but it's actually easy.

You do your return address and the soldier's particulars. Don't worry that the blanks are for "city, state" - just fill in "APO" for city and all that.
For contents - they want you to be specific, i.e. don't write "hygiene", write "6 razors, 4 lotions, 2 shampoos." I try to be accurate, but realistically, i'm only sorta kinda accurate!! Just do your best.
Mark a value to whole package. I assign a value between $15 - $25.
The P.O. will weigh the package and write down total - you don't have to weigh your items!
Mark "gift" and send it "priority" (assuming that is how you will send it).
Sign and date it.
On lower right corner, it asks what to do with package if recipient not there. This is because of rare instances where the soldier has been unexpectedly redeployed back home. unless you want it sent back to you (and I think they charge), mark "redirect to" Any local commander or chaplain". This way, the package would at least get put in the hands of someone else who really needs it.
I think this is up to the individual, but I think most don't insure the package unless you are sending them something like a camera or microwave. Many times the soldiers are out in the field/battleground when mail arrives and they can't sign for a package. Some packages are lowered off pallets from helicopters. It's hard to impossible for some to travel to an area where the package would be held for their signature. I just send them and trust it will be okay.
I assume you are using a military flat rate box large FRB that the P.O. gives you for free and charges one rate for sending.
I did this from memory so if I've left something out, feel free to ask more questions. A lot of the customs form is not filled in by the customer. Most things on it stay the same, time after time, except contents, weight and date, so it becomes easy. Good luck and bless you for doing this!

[LovinMyCoupons]

I had some bumps in the road sending my FIRST box. It was simple miscommunication. ( I was given the wrong box 2x) Agg. Anyway, the feeling is GREAT once it's all done and sent on its way.

Just try to go to the P.O. on off hours so you are NOT stuck in long lines.

I am currently working on my second box.

[TMoore72]

Thanks to both of you for the information. I'm sending my first box this week and this information is very helpful.

[imasugarfree]

hi
I am doing xmas stockings for deployed soldiers at xmas time..I had caalled the post office and they told me no meats of any kind? would you know if that is true>>and what are the best things you think the soldiers would like ,,my quota for this is 50 stockings imasugarfree@yahoo.com

[haley7944]

Wow, this is amazing my husband just deployed a little over 2 weeks ago and I have already sent 3 boxes (of course the flat rate priorty mail ones) and they have been so helpful to me at the post office. Of course being addicted to couponing I am sending tons of extra stuff for everyone. The support from those that dont have loved ones over there is encouraging that each soldier will get something. Keep up the support, my husband was so happy when he got his first package, he looks for the mail everyday. Believe it or not there are alot of soldiers that dont get anything from family or loved ones.

[clp8904]

Originally Posted by haley7944

Wow, this is amazing my husband just deployed a little over 2 weeks ago and I have already sent 3 boxes (of course the flat rate priorty mail ones) and they have been so helpful to me at the post office. Of course being addicted to couponing I am sending tons of extra stuff for everyone. The support from those that dont have loved ones over there is encouraging that each soldier will get something. Keep up the support, my husband was so happy when he got his first package, he looks for the mail everyday. Believe it or not there are alot of soldiers that dont get anything from family or loved ones.

That is very true about lookin fwd to mail and also sad about ones not getting anything from family. My son is in the USMC Bootcamp in Parris Island right now and he continually tells me how much he enjoys mail call. Another sad thing is that about 50 of his fellow graduates will not have any family with them for graduation day so many of us parents put together SAM (stand alone Marine) bags and hand them out that day.


THANK YOU to everyone that sends out these care packages.

[debl08]

Originally Posted by Leanna

Nope, no problems at all, and I have sent, probably, 40 of them! It looks intimidating, but it's actually easy.

You do your return address and the soldier's particulars. Don't worry that the blanks are for "city, state" - just fill in "APO" for city and all that.
For contents - they want you to be specific, i.e. don't write "hygiene", write "6 razors, 4 lotions, 2 shampoos." I try to be accurate, but realistically, i'm only sorta kinda accurate!! Just do your best.
Mark a value to whole package. I assign a value between $15 - $25.
The P.O. will weigh the package and write down total - you don't have to weigh your items!
Mark "gift" and send it "priority" (assuming that is how you will send it).
Sign and date it.
On lower right corner, it asks what to do with package if recipient not there. This is because of rare instances where the soldier has been unexpectedly redeployed back home. unless you want it sent back to you (and I think they charge), mark "redirect to" Any local commander or chaplain". This way, the package would at least get put in the hands of someone else who really needs it.
I think this is up to the individual, but I think most don't insure the package unless you are sending them something like a camera or microwave. Many times the soldiers are out in the field/battleground when mail arrives and they can't sign for a package. Some packages are lowered off pallets from helicopters. It's hard to impossible for some to travel to an area where the package would be held for their signature. I just send them and trust it will be okay.
I assume you are using a military flat rate box large FRB that the P.O. gives you for free and charges one rate for sending.
I did this from memory so if I've left something out, feel free to ask more questions. A lot of the customs form is not filled in by the customer. Most things on it stay the same, time after time, except contents, weight and date, so it becomes easy. Good luck and bless you for doing this!

ok, on my forms it says to list one item per line, however they onlly give you 4 lines and if you have more than 4 items you need to fill out more form, in my case I'll need 7 forms!!!! so what do you do there? And, do you mark ground or air? I assume air. And I need to know if you can send tuna lunch kits or chicken lunch kits or sardines? Please help if you can, really stuck on this one.