Tips for Mailing to Service Members in Iraq

Customers wishing to send messages of support to troops engaged in Iraq are advised to use the following guidelines:

• All mail must be addressed to a specific service member. Mail addressed to "Any Service Member" will be returned to sender. The U.S. Department of Defense recommends visiting www.defendamerica.mil and clicking the "Support Our Troops" icon to find out ways to support service members.
• Family members who send regular mail need to use the soldier's full name (without rank), unit and APO address, and include a return address.
• Families should not put the country or the base camp's city on the mail, officials said, because it might get sent through the host country's mail system.
• Most areas of the Middle East have been authorized Free Mail for personal correspondence being sent from the service member overseas back to the U.S. However, family members sending mail to service members in a free mail zone must still include postage.
• Each country has customs regulations that apply to all incoming mail. These may include prohibitions on certain kinds of food or entertainment products. Host countries mostly prohibit the entry of alcoholic beverages of any kind, narcotics, munitions, pork and pork by-products, pornography, and material contrary to the Islamic religion.
• Wrap packages securely.
• Liquid-filled containers tend to break.
• Powdered items can open during transit causing concern over what kind of substance it is. Please pack the items in sealed plastic bags.
• Label packages properly and list all contents.