First tip is to avoid a liquid product and go for a gel or other non-liquid product if possible.  Failing that, if a product has any ability to leak (and this includes cans) then please use one of two packing methods:

1.  Zip-Loc bags.  Use two of them, one upside-down over the item, then the next right-side up over the first bag.  Squeeze all the air out of both bags before sealing them.  This will trap leaks and keep the other items in the box from being ruined.  Also, it keeps the items fresh longer for the soldier.  Keeps sand out of the rings on a can, moisture from flimsy packages, etc.  The plus here is this leaves a zip-loc bag for the soldier to use for other things...

2.  Use a food vacuum sealer, such as FoodSaver.  Tip on this however.  Never vacuum out ALL the air.  If you put something 'squashable' in a vacuum bag, the machine will squash the heck out of the item.  Vacuum most of the air, but leave just a bit of looseness to the bag.  FoodSaver-type machines are THE best idea for all food items.

 

And never mix foods with hygene items! The food always picks up the smell (and taste) of the hygene stuff and who wants to eat Axe flavored chips?

 Thanks, Mom

How about carbonated drinks like Monster that I see so many guys ask for?  Can I send these or will the cans explode from the heat and agitation during shipping? 

Thanks for all you do, Marty....and thanks for giving me a great firsthand way to teach my kids who heros are.  It's great for them to read about heroes in their books, but so much more powerful to actually be able 'speak' to one thru letters and witness upfront and personal the sacrifices they and their families willingly undertake.....

I had one group of Marines request Mountain Dew..."Lots of Mountain Dew" .  I sent them repeated cases (24 cans) and they always made it "no casualties" as my Marines put it... I boxed them and wrapped it in triple garbage bages, then put it in another box....I have seen them recommend bottles over cans...but the cans made it on repeated shippings for me and my Marines...Good luck...

Pat,

Thanks for your idea.  Can I ask how you mailed them--did you use the USPS?  I'm guessing that it was very expensive?  I usually stick to the flat rate boxes to manage costs but find that there are things I want to send but avoid b/c of shipping costs.  Just want to make sure I'm not missing out on any 'tricks!'....THanks!

Hi,  I use the USPS and usually use there boxes (not the flat rate boxes).  Walmart has cheaper boxes, but i like the sizes at the post office. yes, it does cost more, and my Marines did give me the nick name "weight lifter" because "you had to be a weight lifter to lift my boxes"...Now that the prices have gone up, it will cost more, but most of the time it was less then 20$. I do ship ground-parcel post, and no insurance, so that helps...hope this helps...pat

Hey everyone

 Just wanted to point out that you can actually ship the two together as long as they are packed right. My buddy in Iraq had no problems and no bad tasting food  (lol). The key is what was mentioned before: Ziploc bags work best.. seal everything in. and obviously, I pack them so that they play nicely in the shipping box.

I ship them together because I have my brother used to tell me that all of his stuff arrived safely and with no mixing (and that was 140 degrees in Iraq!!) and my other soldiers that I knew also verified that it works. To me, it is more fun to open a random package and sift through the stuff.. but hey it may not work for everyone. If you don't pack it right, then yes, the risk is high for some seriously bad tasting or evern worse.. ruined food :)

 Thanks to al! :)

I think it also helps to pack them snugly, so they don't have any room to jiggle around.  I know the common wisdom for shipping is to "float" stuff in packing kernels, but that's for fragile items, not leak-prone items.  I've had good luck (so far!) with packing the box full.  I don't like to leave any space unused anyway.

I like all of the information that is being posted here.....much more informative than the other site I am on. I can't even read the updates on their site! I wondered myself about sendning energy drinks in cans, but the few posts here about how to pack them helps out. Also, something that I've figured out has to do with those millions of plastic grocery bags. Sometimes we run out of things to use them for at home, but they work great when filling void space in boxes and the soldier can always find a use for them!

We have been told by our postal clerks that there is a restriction against sending liquids to Iraq, but they haven't refused them when we send body wash and shampoo.  We never send sodas no matter how many ask for them.  Have you ever seen kids shake up warm sodas and spew them?  MESSSSSY!

Gran

ThanksMom:

And never mix foods with hygene items! The food always picks up the smell (and taste) of the hygene stuff and who wants to eat Axe flavored chips?

Does this apply to food in cans? I always thought cans were pretty imprevious to picking up outside flavours.

dmin:

ThanksMom:

And never mix foods with hygene items! The food always picks up the smell (and taste) of the hygiene stuff and who wants to eat Axe flavored chips?

Does this apply to food in cans? I always thought cans were pretty imprevious to picking up outside flavors.

 Absolutely!

Not because the can will suck in the flavor of that soap, but guess what happens to the soap when the can bursts due to laying in the sun at 120 degrees for a few days. 

I posted earlier, use zip-loc bags on cans too...2 bags or use the FoodSaver-type bags.

I have never sent soda myself, but I do know those that have.  If they are sending individual cans, some of them wrap them up in disposable diapers first.  That way if they do explode it will all be soaked up by the diaper.

deb:

I have never sent soda myself, but I do know those that have.  If they are sending individual cans, some of them wrap them up in disposable diapers first.  That way if they do explode it will all be soaked up by the diaper.

What an interesting idea. Such creative folks sending things, too. I think I'd try to find something else to use in the hopes it wasn't needed to soak up soda and could serve as another useful item (tm). Perhaps some t-shirts, handtowels, or the like? I've not gotten brave enough to send any such liquids so far, though.

Thanks, Mom

I sent some soda a couple of weeks ago, but wrapped it in bubble wrap and bagged it.  I'll be interested to see if (and in what condition) it arrived.  I didn't put anything else in the box that might be ruined, in case it did burst.  I talked to a lady recently who had kept her son supplied in Sundrop while he was there, and she said she'd never had any burst. She just sat the 12 packs down inside a larger box and packed around them--didn't wrap each can.

It may turn out to be a sticky mess, but at least he'll know I tried!