Are you saying that only two out of the fourteen boxes you've sent were actually received by your contacts or that only two arrived "unpilfered"?

I ask because I have a contract at a big base in Afghanistan I've been supporting for a few months. Suddenly last month, he informed me that the packages I sent in July to him were never received.

I've verified his address and we're both frustrated over this. The packages didn't contain any DVDs but they contained some great munchies and books. It adds up after a while! I told him I'd keep sending packages but I have to wonder if they've contracted out the mail services at the base.

I've sent hundreds of packages and this is the first time that my packages have gone missing. Grrr.

Thanks,

Jen

I don't think I've had a problem with items being removed from packages lately.  However, the ONLY packages that seem to be getting through to A-stan this summer (from me anyway) have been the large FRBs.  Since March, not a single letter has been received, not a single smaller package, not a single slightly larger package (I only send packages that can be carried under one arm, so we're not talking big packages). 

After reading this thread, I think I'll start including an inventory in the packages.

At the suggestion of the friend who hooked me into this site , I write and send a letter to the soldier the day before I mail the box.  In the letter is a packing list of what is in the box, so they will know what's coming to them.  I put another copy of the packing list inside the box before I seal it.

 My great concern right now is that I have a box of tobacco products to a group ready to go.  I'm concerned about listing "smokeless tobacco", "cigars" on the customs form (I hate those things).  Think I'll insure this box.

I am having the same dilemma with some boxes due to go out.  Do I skip the more desirable items that theives would steal and take the risk the boxes get opened in customs?  or do I list the items and most assuredly get the items stolen.  Seems to me getting the items there safe is only about a 50% or less proposition any more.

I sent another box to my contact who hadn't received the last two I sent him. I didn't insure it but the postal clerk suggested I put a delivery confirmation on it so we could tell if it at least made it to the APO mail depot in NY. I sent an email to my contact to give him a heads up that the box is on it's way.

I've never, at least to my knowledge, had any box opened up by customs. I wonder if they really read the forms. It seems that the postal clerks are more diligent about asking if I have any hazardous or liquids in the box. I've listed pricey stuff on the customs form before...but sometimes, my handwriting is illegible.... :)  I listed the contents as feminine hygiene pads, canned corn, peanuts and cookies, hoping to ward off any sticky fingers.

May I ask where your boxes are going? Mine are going to Bagram...a huge base and it only takes six or seven days to get there from the west coast. Feel free to send me a PM.

Jen 

All mail to Private Contrators...why do they do this, if they can take stuff out they can put stuff in? It would seem to me that it would be a security issue for all of it? Whats to keep them from putting something harmful in the boxes?

 I think I've mentioned this before, if not, here it is.  Last November I sent Christmas boxes and received all but one of the boxes back in late January - early Feb. (And to had to pay the shipping return charge, too).  Okay, I understand boxes can get delayed however the boxes with the pairs of wool socks and toques had been opened, removed and shipped back to me.  I was heart broken.

This June a great group of guys that we were supporting were coming home so I decided to send a box full of souvenirs of Canada.  T-shirts, caps, Frisbee, maple syrup suckers, etc.  I addressed the box like every box that I had previously sent my contact and low and behold it didn't arrive.  All those great souvenirs must have caught someones eye because the box never showed on either end.  It was insured (all xpresspost packages are) however since it had Atten: AnyMarine on it under his name not much could be done. I ate the cost of the souvenirs and the cost of shipping. 

Thankfully my contacts SSgt (and new friend)  emailed me an address where I could send a couple of new souvenir boxes to States side.  I was glad that I was able to find some of the souvenirs on sale since Canada Day was over.  I found it a very frustrating experience.

Tracking numbers only take me to the East or West coast destination for shipping over seas.  It doesn't let me know if it got to the designated person.

 
I used to send letters ahead of time.  I might have to start that practice up again.

what my post office told me to do -- might work for someone else.  If there are more than 5-6 items in the box (which I always have) and you have to fill out the custome addendum thing, list the more valuable items there.  He doesn't even think they come out of the plastic sleeve.  I also tape HEAVILY so it will be real obvious if the box is opened.  I just pray this works. 

My contact who is at Bagram emailed me today and said he received the package I sent five days ago. He hadn't received any of the boxes I sent in July. Also, I spoke to one of my contacts who is home now and he said that the postal facility at Bagram is run by Americans, and they are either USPS employees or contractors, but they are not locals. I listed some of the contents on my customs form as feminine hygiene pads and canned goods...so maybe those items didn't sound so appealing.This box had a delivery confirmation on it and the postal clerk gave it her own personal blessing. :-)

I've also started putting Priority Mail stickers along the edges of my boxes (for those of you who ship the FRBs) so they would know if the package had been tampered with. You can order the stickers for free from the USPS site.

There are other threads around here someplace on 'errant boxes' but i haven't found them yet since I can't recall what they were tagged as.

  Do remember someone posting about 'decorating' there boxes to prevent them from growing legs tho.  No self respecting "box lifter" will want to be seen with a "prettied up" box.

Someone else posted that they used stickers on all of the edges of the boxes so that the recepients would know if someone had cut the edges and resealed.

The decorated or stickered up boxes would also make it easier to id anyone who walked off with one of those boxes - since it wouldn't look like all of the rest.  Sounded like a good idea.  Our local Dollar Tree has huge stickers for a - yep $1.00 a sheet - that are intended for stick ons for kids walls that might be good for this purpose.