Perhaps folks have tips or ideas about completing them? I continue to write the "sent as a bonafide gift to serving military" on them but have heard that is not needed anymore? Of course I have a collection of the blank forms at home so I can complete them as I stuff the box, how else can there be an accurate inventory? Does the custom form make the box more or less of a target for pilfering? I'm just curious.

Thanks, Mom

Hello ThanksMom,

I've wondered the same thing about the pilfering.  I've wondered why the cost of items is needed also if it's not being insured.  For instance, I sent a pair of running shoes to a soldier that requested them and actually put the cost of them as being cheaper than they actually were.  I was afraid if I put the real cost, they would be stolen.  They weren't $100 shoes, but I still wanted to make sure they got to him.  (They did.) 

Take care,

Maggie

The postmaster at my local post office always tells me just to keep the cost number on the customs form low like nothing above $25, no matter what it is you are sending.  If you insure the package or request it to be sent back should the address be undeliverable...well then good luck on that.  If you sending insured, your item is more likely to get there without worries, but its the postal system and things happen from time to time.   Seeing the smaller $ amount will curb some temptations for pilfering in the mail, although it won't stop all of it. Just be sure to list in general what the package has in it (dont have to be exact, but give a clear definition of the contents) or else there is a likelihood of it being ripped open going through the system for inspection.  It doesnt happen much but they will do it if in question.

On the customs form instead of checking return to sender I check "forward to" and write "unit chaplain." I figure the chaplain will find a use for what I sent, much better than returning to me.

Thanks, Mom

This has been one of our frustrations with getting mail to it's destination.  In 3 years, after hundreds of packages, although we have only had 3 packages that we know did not get there, 2 of them were sent back to us for no known reason.  It seems that it doesn't matter what we put as to the intent of an undeliverable package, they do what they want with it.  We have tried putting another contact's name as the recipient, unit chaplain, unit commander, and finally treat as abandoned recently.  One unit didn't give an appropriate return date and a package followed them all the way back to their home base after their return, where the contact indicated that they would keep the snacks around for the ones who didn't go anywhere on leave.

We would like to know what has been the experience of others in regard to this.

Gran

Hi Gran!

  On the botttom of the customs form where it says "Sender's Instructions in Case of Nondelivery", I check the box for Redirect to the Address Below and write "Any Soldier, same address"  That way another soldier in the same unit will get it if "my soldier" doesn't. In 3 years and several hundred packages, I've never had anything returned. Hope this helps! Cheryl

Hi ThanksMom and Gran

Great posting topic! I am in need of feedback here, too.  I didn’t want to hijack the thread to include this “forwarding” issue.  Thanks for the segue…
There seems to be overlapping regulations here that postal Clerks often appear unable to tease apart and have even quarreled about in front of me.

Here’s the conundrum:  Our packages carry domestic addresses (APO/FPO) but are intended to leave the country and usually this means entering a foreign postal system.  Other countries often have fees associated with forwarding mail.  BUT, our mail is delivered to the APO/FPO system for subsequent delivery to the intended recipient.  

As Gran’s experience shows packages will be forwarded to the intended recipient when the address change is from official orders (for up to 60 days) and a “Change of Address” is on file.  Apparently, this mail is rerouted when it arrives at the APO/FPO hopefully, before leaving the country.  The treatment of other “undeliverable” mail after arriving at its destination—outside of the country—appears to vary.

I was originally told that selecting “Return to Sender” would cause me to incur additional postage fees for the return.  This is true for international mail (depending on the country.)  Another clerk said return charges do not apply since it is mailed to a domestic address and would be returned without charge to the sender.  (Gran, I’m assuming you incurred no return charges for the 2 returned pieces… lending credence to the second clerk’s assertion.)  

I tried “Forward to:” using a Chaplain contact with a complete address and was told that the Chaplain would have to pay forwarding postage upon receipt because it is “international” mail and the foreign postal service’s forwarding charges would be applied.  I do not believe this to be the case for APO/FPO addresses because they are not delivered to or by a foreign postal service.

Cheryl’s suggestion is a sly one.  USPS may no longer accept mail addressed to “any soldier” but may in deed be permitted to accept mail to be forwarded to “any soldier.”  Of course, it is up to APO/FPO to actually forward it to “any soldier” upon arrival.  I’m going to consider this and perhaps try it just to see the clerks debate its merits.

-betc 

 

It is correct that we did NOT have to pay anything for the return of the two packages, and one of them for sure had been attempted to be forwarded within Iraq, but didn't reach the person it was addressed to, so it was sent back all the way from Iraq.  I spent hours searching for contacts (that were compatible with the contents of the package) to write in the forward to space for the first couple of years, but after we got the two packages back, I quit trying that.  One clerk at the small town post office where we mail most of the packages said I was the only one he had ever seen put a name in there, so they may not even look for a name.  I figured I could use my time better in another way if they ignored the name I wrote in there.  I always put in a name at another location figuring there would be less likelihood of missing a contact at two different places.

I was just wondering if there was a better way to handle the customs form. 

Gran

I'm happy to hear postage fees do not have to be paid for undeliverable packages that are sent back....so far I havent had one returned but now I know.  My local postmaster wasnt to sure of the rule herself.  Usually I mark the custom form with another address of a different troop I have adopted just in case it does not get to the original sender for various reasons.  So far I have had really good luck with maintaining email contact with my adopted troops...so if you have an email address be sure to put that in the box with a personal letter or card when sending care packages.  Most tell me its actually easier for them to email back as opposed to writing a traditional hand written letter.  Some places they dont have a way to mail letters but can still email...go figure!  I always send an email to the ones who have given me an email contact just to be sure there have not been any changes to their APO/FPO address since registering on anysoldier.  But that didnt have to do with the customs form...sorry. 

The forward to unit chaplain is a GREAT idea. I have had 2 packages come back and that frustrates me. I would rather they go to anysoldier then waste the postage coming back.

 

momof6 

Another question - about the value listed.  Does anyone/everyone list the value of each item separately and then total them, or just put a total value for the entire package?  The listing of separate values for everything in the package is a real pain to me, one of the most annoying things about filling out the customs forms.  When I was really working hard the month before the increase to get every package in the mail ahead of it, I failed to put any value on one package, and the clerk at the post office asked Hubby what the value of the package was and he just picked the figure of $15.00 for the combined value for the total without listing the individual item value, and it went like that.  We had always put values for each listed type of item sent.  Am I to understand after all those years of doing that it isn't even necessary to do?

Gran

I always put one value for the box and have never had any problems.  And I mark the box as Redirect to Address Below and write "any clergy" - As suggested on AnySoldier.com website. 

Hi ipowell

I surely missed this on the website. Can you point me to it?

I'm curious about the distinction (in how the mail is treated) when redirected to a job title, such as, "clergy" versus "any soldier" that's prohibited by DOD.   It seems like the safest alternative since clergy is a job title.

Many Thanks
betc
 

If you allow me I will like to explain the customs form in a little more detail. 

The right side of the customs form is required to be filled out by companies, this is because they sell their products and they have to indicate value of the goods.  Value of goods is to help the import country know how much duty to collect - as we know, soldiers do not pay duties.  I never fill out the $ value of the package, I only declare value for insurance purposes when I insure a package.

On "Description of Contents" - a company must list each individual item description, to the right they have to put down how many pieces and the weight, value and HS number (harmonized code - for duty purposes).  As an individual I put down generic descriptions on the form, ex. socks, candy, magazine, etc.  I never put down quantities or list the value.  I have been sending out care packages since 2004 and only one package came back - I reversed two numbers on the soldier's address - incorrect unit number.  No, I did not have to pay return postage for the package that came back.

Section 16 - Instructions in Case of Nondelivery - I always select "Redirect to Address Below" and I write - 1st. Sgt or XO and below that I put the soldier's unit number.   At least this way I know his unit will receive it.

I hope this helps, but I know each post office is different and some clerks are not familiar with the form. 

Jo

 

 

 

 

I like Jo's suggestion. FWIW I have sent all my packages with "any soldier," "any marine" or "any sailor" in the "redirect to" box. None of them have been returned. I have gotten in the habit of putting a total value on the boxes because some postal clerks asked me to fill it in, but I have always "guesstimated" rather than worrying about exact values.

Barbara