I just shipped my first two packages today.  I had each in a priority flat rate box.  I thought these were 4.95, but they charged me 10.30 each.  They were heavy - 8 and 9 lbs.  Was it the higher cost b/c it is international?  It shouldn't be the weight, since it was a flat rate????

TIA,

Sandy

The Flat Rate envelopes are $4.95.  There are two different Flat Rate Boxes (FRBs) that ship for $10.35 (one box is 11" x 8.5" x 5.5" and the other is more of a "shirt box" style).  If you use the Flat Rate APO boxes (12" x 12" x 5.5") the cost $11.95 to mail but are APO ONLY.  That's the set price per box, no matter what it weighs up to 70 pounds.

When you order at www.usps.com, all boxes are free, as are the custom forms, and will be delivered to your house.

I personally prefer the FR APO boxes.  For $1.60 more you can stuff a bunch more in there!  The gel insoles will fit diagonally and it you are mailing writing paper you don't have to bend it in the package.

Just make sure to use the "good tape" and be generous with it.  (you can also get free "priority mail" printed tape free from the post office, but its not that great IMHO)  I've had boxes returned with can food add dented, but the boxes and seams held up well using the good tape.

I'm sure you have already read to never, never, never ship hygiene items and food in the same package.  The cookies will taste like soap on the other end no matter how well they were originally packaged.  Double bag any liquids.  I even single bag any gels / creams / meltable solids (deodorant and air fresheners).  If the box is received crushed the semi-liquids would (hopefully) not have effected the other items. 

You will soon learn to fill every crevice with goodies for your contact.  I have unboxes instant oatmeal and granola bars, flattened the boxes and shoved them between cans and sides of the box (I think we all do) so the contact understand that I'm not sending leftovers from my pantry.  If sending food FRBs, use gum, small packages of nuts, hard candy or sucker as filler between items.  If sending a hygiene FRB, consider using hair ties, pens, chapstick, eye drops, envelopes, sample items, etc. as filler. 

Good luck and don't hesitate to ask for assitance/tips.  We Junkies stick together!  And always remember that someone on the other end of your shipment is thrilled to receive your packages.

I think the confusion is that there are actually now 3 different sizes of Flat Rate Boxes. The smallest of which is $4.95.  The box measures 5-3/8" x 8-5/8" x 1-5/8". The maximum weight for it and the envelope is 4 pounds. I still have to enter the package as if it were a Flat Rate envelope on the shipping assistant site to get the correct postage since it doesn't recognize it as a Flat Rate box yet. 

What many used to call the small Flat Rate Box is now the medium sized one and with the price reduction for shipping to APO/FPO's, I seldom use it anymore as it does make more sense to send the large box instead given the price difference. 

I hope that helps and congrats on getting your first packages on the way!

I still find uses for the FRB1 and FRB2 (the original ones).  When I have limited funds and need to send individual packages of food and trial size hygiene items, it is less expensive to send the smaller boxes when I am sending to a small number of people (fewer than 10) since I have to send two boxes, and can't afford enough of the items to fill two of the larger boxes with the more expensive personal sizes of items.  Otherwise, I too find the largest FRB more convenient and economical.  They are great if you are including socks or towels with the hygiene items, and for shipping certain sizes of canned goods.

I'd just like to mention that those FRB are good for not only APO but FPO addresses too. 

I think that's a "given" for those of us that ship regularly but could confuse some of the "newbies." 

Ok, I'm new so I get to ask the bonehead questions.  What does APO and FPO stand for and what is the difference?

Should I have taped the FRB?  Whoops.  I just sealed them with the adhesive attached to the boxes.  Will they even survive the trip?

I am totally going to the post office to check on the larger sized FRB.  I will start to hoard.  I already grabbed some extra custom slips to have on hand.

I'm sure I will have more questions, but that is enough to humiliate myself for one day.  LOL

Sandy

 Your box should be okay without tape if you used the one with the adhesive flaps. (Have you ever tried to peel open one of those flaps??) I have never put tape on those, and they got to their destination just fine.

Army Post Office, Fleet Post Office - APO covers Army & Air Force addresses, FPO covers Navy and Marine addresses.

There is no such thing as a "bonehead question" if you don't know the answer. If you're really worried about asking a question that makes you feel like a bonehead check out the FAQ section, and the "How to Send" section and see if the information you need is there. Otherwise, post your questions here as you just did, and any one of a number of "Support Junkies" will be more than happy to steer you in the right direction - and will NOT laugh at you. We were all newbies once, after all.

You can go to usps.com and order all the flat rate packaging and customs forms you need, for free. You don't even pay shipping... just an idea! (I order 25 FRBs at a time, in all sizes.)

Hey! 

I also order from the PO and have it delivered to my house.  Just remember, if you have limited space like I do, that if you order "one" that's one shipment of 25 boxes or so.  It's not just "one box."  

MY PO Lady Clerk was telling me that someone had ordered "25" online, and ended up with 25 cases of boxes instead of 25 individual boxes.  The Clerk said she took them off the ladies hands.  So, I was glad she told me this.  I couldn't store that many boxes with my limited space. 

HI,SANDY.  I'VE ONLY BEEN DOING THIS SINCE NOVEMBER SO I'M NOT AN EXPERT BUT I THINK THE DIFFERENCE

BETWEEN APO AND FPO IS THE APO IS SENT FROM THE EAST COAST AND THE FPO IS SENT FROM THE WEST COAST. I HAVE A CONTACT THAT HIS APO ADDRESS CLOSED AND HE HAD TO GIVE ME HIS SQUADRON'S

ADDRESS (WHICH WAS OUT OF WASHINGTON STATE).THAT ONE WAS A FPO. I HAD TO RETURN A BOX TO HIS NEW ADDRESS (WHICH WASN'T A FRB) AND IT COST ME $5 MORE DOLLARS TO SEND FPO.

AS FAR AS PUTTING TAPE ON THE BOX IT SHOULD BE OKAY. I USUALLY DO TAPE EVERYTHING I SEND JUST TO BE ON THE SAFE SIDE.

DON'T THINK YOU'RE DUMB BECAUSE YOU ASK QUESTIONS.WE'VE ALL BEEN THERE!!!

VA GIRL

Hi VA Girl,

It's not the APO or FPO, but the AP or AE that distinguishes if the unit's mail is disbursed via the West Coast of the East Coast. 

At one time I remember reading, somewhere on the AS site, a suggestion that when you select a unit consider selecting one from your coast.  For example, if you live on the East Coast select the AE and West Coast select the AP because if you are not using a FRB you could pay a higher price for shipping to the opposite coast.  

I personally do not take that into consideration as I always use FRB.  I'd highly suggest using the FRB APO/FPO boxes, if you aren't already using them.  Same price no matter which coast you live on and are shipping to. 

As mentioned in the post above, APO and FPO distinguishes between Army/Air Force and Marine/Navy. 

 The information about APOs & FPOs and AP, AE, AA, etc is located in the How to Send Section.  Click on the tab at the top of the page and choose ....Postage?

 As mentioned before VA Girl.  There are no bonehead questions...we all had to start somewhere and we've all been in your shoes.

Cheers

Maria

Questions arise from inexperience in a particular area.  I still have questions about new things, and wished for a forum when I started sending care packages back in 2004 so that I could have asked someone about the things I didn't know and had to just fumble my way through and hope for the best outcome.  Even those of us who have been sending for a while run across either changes or something new when we don't understand what we need to do to be the best supporters we can be.  One thing you will learn is that very few things are set in stone because there will be exceptions to many of the rules due to variations in each unit's area, living conditions, or orders from the top.

Awesome!  Thanks for all the responses!  Good info to know. 

I have a goal to send boxes out by mid-June to reach their destination by 4th of July.  I have encouraged my office to contribute, and have already collected several things.  In only one day!  So I have a feeling we will be able to fill several boxes and send them out.  I will become well versed in all things shipping in no time!  I think I will go ahead now and order those large FRB.  Maybe we can fill all 25! 

 Sandy

WHOO HOO! I just got a letter from my new contact. They received my very heavy box filled with books.  I sent it MEDIA RATE because it was so heavy. It hasn't been that long since I sent it and they got it probably just as fast as priority mail would gotten there.  I take literally what someone said on the forum.."pack as if Godzilla himself is going to handle the package".  There was so much tape around that box, it probably took my soldier an hour to get it open.  So if you are just sending books, remember that Media Rate is lots cheaper.

I'm so happy I heard from my soldier.  I'm on a cloud!

Nora

Congratulations!!!  It really is the BEST feeling.

Donna