Questions about mailing packages to deployed sailors on ships?

Question

I have heard it takes about two weeks for a package to arrive and we are only to use USPS.

If I send something of value, should I buy insurance, even though it is out of the postal system's hands once it leaves this country?

Also, if the post office marks it as fragile and there is insurance on it....are they more likely to take better care of it? (I've heard that some sailors get their boxes in pretty abused shape.)

Is there anyway I can send a package with speedier delivery so that I can send home baked goods?

Are there any items I am banned from shipping to a sailor on board a ship? (besides, obviously, alcohol.)

Thanks in advance...I am having a difficult time locating people that have the answers to these questions...and I would REALLY like to get this holiday package in the mail.

Answer 1

Two weeks???? Not in our Navy.

Usually about 4 weeks and that is if you are on a carrier.

Everyone else gets to wait a lot longer than that because they don't really get their mail delivered to them, small boys pick it up with supplies while in ports like Dubai if they are in the Gulf.

You have no other choice but to use the USPS.

You HAVE to physically take the box to the PO and do the mailing with a live person. You MUST fill out a customs form for the box to be shipped to anyone in the military using an FPO or APO address. These are the rules post 9-11.

YOu can't mail porn, alcohol or anything else that is illegal.

Only mail food products that can handle being in a box in the mail for a long time. During the summer months here and there do not mail anything with chocolate because it will melt and re-melt several times before the person ever sees it. Home baked goods will likely be really gross by the time they arrive so bake them when your Sailor gets home.

For the Navy, don't mail anything big, storage is minimal especially when underway. Don't mail anything of any real value, like IPod's they will get stolen or lost quickly.

If you mail it now it might get their for the holidays, but it is the thought that counts anyways.

Hope this helps.

Answer 2

My advice to you is go to the U.S. POST OFFICE and ask the PROS. THEY can give you better answers than most anyone on here.
If you could see what a package goes through getting to a ship....flown, helo'd, dropped...handled by MANY MANY people...BEFORE it gets to the ship.
Pack your packages with lots of cushioning if what you're sending might get broken. Use GOOD boxes..NEW ones, not those flimsy things like you get shoes in.
As far as restricted items: if you can't mail it here in the states, you can't mail it to a ship.
When sending things to a ship it goes through U.S. postal workers (civilian and military) all the way. It never leaves U.S. hands IF you use APO or FPO addresses.
Again, talk to your U.S. Postal office pros.
One last word: PUT THE RECEIVER'S AND SENDER'S ADDRESSES INSIDE the package, in case the label on the OUTSIDE is damaged.
(USN, retired)

Answer 3

Hi yes make sure you put insurance on your package. Make sure you also put it in a box that is very strong and can take a beating. Make sure that the contents is cushioned with popcorn or anything that will keep the contents from being broken or damaged. Eventhough it leaves the US the Postal Service will guarantee the value of the contents that is insured for the value insured for. Make sure that you use US Postal Service approved tape to seal the package, it will prevent it from opening when in route to its destination. Hope this helps you, also make sure that if there is fragile contents inside that the clerk marks it fragile. The box will take a beating on its way to your soldier but the contense will be in tact. I am a postal worker and my son was stationed in Iraq, but he got his packages in great shape, not because I worked for them but because I did these things. Oh yeah when you use your tape, don't forget to tape every opening and corner of the box, this will make the box even stronger against damage in route.

Answer 4

Whatever speed you use, it ships space available from the APO (be that on the east or west coast). Don't write the specific contents of the package on the customs form. "Electronics" works far better than "Ipod". It is true that you can only send mail via USPS. If it's something valuable, bu insurance on it. It's better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.