So... a marine told me to go ahead and try to send my boyfriend in Iraq beer. Can I? Also can I send cigarettes, chew and porn? Don't answer if you're just going to say that alcohol, tobacco and porn are bad.
2006-10-30 09:06:21 · 12 answers · asked by charlottesamanthamirandacarrie 3 in Politics & Government ➔ Military
I'm already sending tons of sweet things. I need to know about whats illegal to send.
2006-10-30 09:11:52 · update #1
Pretty much anything you can send through the mail you can send to Iraq. The only restrictions I know of is that on some FOBs when they have beer they are limited to two. If I were to send alchohol I let him know that you are sending it so that he could make sure that he doesn't open it in front of the wrong people. Maybe with shipping also hard alchohol would be more economical in terms of alcholhol to weight ratio.
2006-10-30 09:11:51 · answer #1 · answered by seantherunner 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, I won't say they're bad, but I will say that they're readily available in the commissary and PX over there. Bless you for thinking of your warrior boyfriend! You'd do better to contact a local American Legion post or VFW post if you want to send material items - they can tell you how to ship your stuff with other folks' stuff so you get a cheaper postage rate - but they will tell you that it's a lot more convenient and useful to send money so the guys can buy their own beer and the like. We also suggest prepaid international phone cards - that's what most of the guys like best - being able to talk to folks back home - or, as we referred to it while in Viet Nam - "back in the world".
Do be aware that it can be very problematic to send porn - the postal service is kind iffy on that, and the Muslim authorities in Iraq - to whose opinions we do try to give some regard - seriously dislike the idea of porn in any form coming into their country. I'd check very carefully on that one - you have to fill out a customs declaration on packages going to the war zone, and if you get caught falsifying such a form, it's a federal prison sentence and a rather large fine! Again, thank you for thinking of our fighting men and women. Whether or not one supports the war, the warriors deserve our support - 'cause the warrior don't get to pick his fights!
2006-10-30 09:17:39 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
They are not bad but illegal and against regulations. Military Exchange Prepaid Calling Cards
The Department of Defense Military Exchanges have been authorized to sell the following prepaid calling cards to individuals and organizations who wish to purchase these cards for our troops serving overseas in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
https://thor.milexch.com/scs/default.aspx
12 Ways to Support Our Troops
By Lance Helgeson
http://www.aarp.org/bulletin/yourlife/Articles/a2004-12-07-12support.html
You can adopt a specific or random service person for a prayer circle.
http://www.presidentialprayerteam.net/troopsadopt.php
You can write to a service person.
http://anyservicemember.navy.mil
There are dozen of organizations, which allow you to purchase items and present it to a service person, but there are other options you might consider. Visit the closest VA Hospital or for something really unique try:
www.snipersonline.org (They ask for contributions to buy items that the Government refuses or that is out of stock.
God Bless You and the Southern People.
2006-10-30 09:17:01 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know whether it's completely kosher or not, but a friend of mine sends her husband's old Maxim and Playboys. She gets really appreciative letters from the soldiers. I don't know about the beer or cigarettes.
2006-10-30 09:30:03 · answer #4 · answered by Tara P 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No you can not send Porn or alcohol.. both are prohibitted...
hello
first i think that that is wonderfull what you are doing we are also mailing and emailing thing to some of the troop`s we go through www.anysoldier.com it is a great site check it out!!!
we are mailing a small xmas tree with some light`s decoration`s etc.. do they have a computer if so maybe some xmas music..
book`s magazine`s anything to read they always seem to love...
snack`s are alway great, BUT homemade food item`s rarley get eaten..
soldier`s are told for safety reason`s not to eat anything homemade or unwrapped from ppl they don`t know....
we have gotten to know the troop`s we send to over the last six month`s and now they are comfortable and thrilled to have us send homemade food item`s....
keep in mind when packing a box to send to iraq do not send anything like crayons or chocolate from may to late october as it will melt...
if it can melt it WILL!..
do not pack soap. perfume. tpast. ect...... in the same box with food even if wrapped in plastic bags,.... as the food will taste like the soap , no matter what you do...
When packnig anything that could leak put it in ziploc bags in the box first.. if it can leak it will.
Finally.... When you ship to an APO address you only pay the postage in US mail from where you live to NY state.. at that point it is turned over to military Mail.
It is then flown to Iraq or whatever country you are sending to and sorted and trucked to the proper place.
Be sure to put in personal letters and incldue your email address as most soldiers do have some ability to email and will at least let you know the package arrived.. also check back on any soldier site to see if your contact updates thier page.. they often do.
The ranges of what the guuys have can be from tents and no electrric or puter access to living on a Normal base with a full PX(store).. The ones living on Reg bases do have access to PX's for toiletry items etc... anyone in an FOB which is a forward operating base is without a PX usually.... THen yu have remote locations and those living on Iraqi bases those guys have the least amounts of luxuries..
Right now its the rainy season starting and the bugs are bad.. lots of biting flies... so fly strips,, those ones you hang are good to send as well.
Also DEET based repellents
Good suggestions for Iraq soldiers that we have seen them really like...
Microwave popcorn,
Chips but in a can like pringles so they dont get smashed
Powdered gatorade or single serving drink mixes
Antibacterial soaps, t pastes and shower gels
Wet wipes
Books, board games,Music CD's and dvd 's
Just about any non perishble food that yu can microwave is a hit.. ramen noodles etc..
Also as its getting cooler there now hot chocolate and apple cider will be in request.
Skittles and pnut m and m's seem to be popular as well as tootsie rolls
Also send used dvds or ask the guys if they want them because many we ship to do not,, a they can buy them over there for 1.00 a dvd for new releases.. bootleg copies you know..
The dvds we do send are usually ones we record of TV shows they are missing back home.
Each soldier has a description on the site and soem have specific requests others do not.. all want letters and are happy for anything they get... Weve been at this for a while now and have worked out most of the bugs around shipping to the guuys..
keep in mind that is you put in an email you are more likely to hear from your guys,, but its no gaurentee.. you can also incldue stationary and envelopes and self address a couple to you and they may mail you... these guys are busy but we have seen that most will take a minute to say thanks if they can,..and wehave really gotten to know many of thema and even thier families a bit... You dont need to send stamps though as Mail for them to send is free.
If we can be of anymore help let us know I will check back here.
Good Luck
Wis2006
Let your guy know about any soldier he can sign up as well
2006-10-30 09:45:45 · answer #5 · answered by Wis2006 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You can send what you think would make him feel more comfortable because thats the point give them pieces of home so they know they are being supported plus they cant get the comforts of him over there but i would recommend sending him letters, pictures, cookies or any sweets, toiletries, thats kind of thing anything you think will help him be more comfortable but try to keep it small remember they cant carry a lot around with them over there
2006-10-30 09:09:24 · answer #6 · answered by amberslilsis06 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
i asked the post office if i could send alcohol over there and the answer i got was no
2006-10-30 09:51:21 · answer #7 · answered by michelle a 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
go on to the FPO web site list of what you can send & can not send, porn is on tha list of can not send, hope this helps
2006-10-30 09:10:51 · answer #8 · answered by quasar 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I wouldn't try sending alchohol or pornography to a Muslim country.
2006-10-30 09:39:27 · answer #9 · answered by bowlingcap 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
sorry to hear your fella,s over there, why cant we send a huge bus and bring them all home for christmas,
2006-10-30 09:13:54 · answer #10 · answered by crazychick.uk 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋