I have a large box filled with goodies that I am sending to Afghanastan to a troop that trains dogs.  I tried keeping it light and sending things like packaged cookies, sunflower seeds, oatmeal, raman noodles (they have a microwave), shaving cream and razors, a lightweight dog's dish, treats for the dogs, etc.

I was wondering if anyone can tell me, how much does it usually cost to send a box to Afghanastan or Iraq?  It's a large box but I'm guessing it won't weigh more than 20 lbs.

You should read over the info in "how to send" http://www.anysoldier.com/HowToSend.cfm

You'll find info about the flat rate boxes if you want to send a heavy box (free boxes from the Post Office).  Also, it isn't a good idea to mix food and hygiene together.  I believe I read where you live in NJ so your postage would be better than most if you wanted to mail a box that goes out of NY.  Even a better price if you mailed it not priority.  But, you'd be expensive for boxes out of CA.  Sound like you have wonderful items to send.  Welcome and have fun!

When I send to Afghanistan or Iraq and it is a box other than a flat rate box, I can usually figure it will cost about $1.00 per # until you get to 24/25 #'s then the rate begins to go down some.  Many times it costs less to send a larger box if you are sending more items than to send in 2 flate rate boxes.  Sometimes things just will not go in a flat rate box.  I try to think about this when shipping.  I know some areas need FRB to be shipped to them because of their location.  Good luck.

Just to give you an idea.  I shipped 16# 10.6 oz. to Afghanistan - $ 20.85

Sent 24# 5.2 oz to Kuwait - $ 24.85

Hope this helps.

 Tar Heel Fan

Tip - check out the USPS shipping calcuation site:

 http://postcalc.usps.gov/

I am in PA, so I use it often to decide whether to go flatrate, or bigger box.  I often find it more cost effective to ship larger packages than the flat rates. 

Christy

Since I live close to the NY ship out points postage used to be an easy deal for me but with the raise in rates it has become a trickier situation and I find FRBs coming in handy when the packages get a little heavier - esp when shipping canned goods, etc

I usually weigh on a good bathroom scale to get an idea of weight and use the USPS calculator mentioned above to get a range - a bit over FRB won't make a big difference since the 12 x 12 cube is a bit larger than the large FRB.  but the calculator comes in handy in figuring the postage.  Some folks also use the click n'ship to save money and time - the PO picks up your packages for you.  Don't know how that works tho:)

Another time saver is ordering supplies from the PO by phone.

I find that it averages out to $.50 cent per pound - usually anything over 10-12 lbs.

I live in Massachusetts so am "in zone" for the FPO/APO AE addresses.  I rarely use the MIL-FRB because it seldom is to my advantage to do so.  I do use it for FPO/APO AP addresses and when I am sending a huge stack of magazines and/or canned goods or soda or other liquids (energy drinks, laundry soap,etc).     I have to send only heavy items in the box to make it worthwhile. 

If I'm sending a mix of things and some are lighter, I'm usually better off using a Priority #7 box and sending more with the greater volume of the box, but paying less.

Long story short, there isn't a one-size-fits-all solution - it depends on where you are, where your box is going, and what you want to send.   I think most folks get the hang of it with practice - lots of practice, right junkies?

cj/

To tell you the truth (not being experienced in sending things to troops as I've only done it once before), I didn't even know anything about FRB's - heck, the first time someone mentioned it to me here I didn't even know what "FRB" meant! ::slapping myself in the head::  lol 

We have several post offices here in town, and I went to the smallest one because that was the area of town I happened to be in that day.  The woman behind the counter wasn't very helpful.  When I told her I was sending a large box to Afghanistan shouldn't she have told me about FRB's?  I wound up paying $6 for the box alone and also bought some bubble wrap.  Since there were people behind me on line I guess she was just too busy to be helpful lol  :/

But thank you, all of you, for all of your advice and emails! The next time I'll know better  :)

Shipping out of NY state I often find that the FRBs are not such a bargain if I am sending to APO AE addresses.  I never buy boxes though.  Waldenbooks here in town have given me a stack of their boxes (very sturdy since books come in them).  I also check for empty boxes at various stores like Sam's Club or Maines.  Saves a lot of money.

Kathy

Hi and welcome,  since you live on the east coast, if your contact has an APO AE you will probably find it just as cheap to ship in regular boxes..  Just don't make them too big, even though the postage is a better deal on the heavier big boxes, it sometimes makes it difficult to actually get it to little firebases.  Depends on where your contact is, maybe at a larger post if they are training dogs.    If you ship to an AP address flat rates are probably best.  I live on the west coast and invariable pick contacts with an AE address so I use  flat rates almost exclusively.  For pillows and bulky light things  I do big boxes, parcel post.

Anita

I don't think it's any more difficult to get a #7 Prioirty box to any location than the mil-FRB.   In fact, the Length and Width are identical so they stack with the Large FRBs perfectly.  They are simply a little deeper.  They are free from the USPS just like the FRBs.   If you don't use them, you might not be familiar with them though.    I swear by them.

 cj/

Another place I have found boxes for parcel post, light weight stuff, like TP, is those paper boxes - at a friendly office supply store.  They're big and hold lots of rolls of TP - or anythin else that's real light.  Parcel post real cheap comparatively speaking - may take a little longer but good bargain as long as the folks you are sending it to don't have to haul it on foot up the mountainside they live on:).

Someone also posted an online site for boxes, if you are going to buy them, that sells in lots pretty cheap and has a gazillion types -

www.uline.com  

I have also found sturdy specialty boxes at UPS stores when I needed a once in a blue moon box to ship something odd  shaped that wouldn't fit in anything I could scrounge up any place else.  The sales folks there are really helpful if you tell them what you are doing.

Hope all this info doesn't just confuse you more.

Ann

I live in the midwest.  I have done shipping for items on Ebay for years so I do understand USPS shipping...I got pretty good at sorting through the USPS site, all the info, prices and comparing all the options available.

If you live outside of the east coast zone for the APO, use a FRB.  Once you get past about 5 pounds and the box gets bigger, the price goes up substantially.

There are three sizes of flat rate boxes.  The small that fits very little for $4.95 or $4.80 online, the medium comes in 2 shapes.  These cost $10.35 or $9.85 if you purchase the postage online.  There is a large flat rate box that normally costs about $13.95.  You get a $2 discount shipping to an APO and it costs $11.95, $11.50 if you buy it online.  Delivery confirmation is also free online.  You will pay extra at the post office for delivery confirmation.  The post office will ship you the boxes in quantities of 10 for free. Since the APO is considered a domestic address, you can put up to 70 pounds in the box for the same price.

You can also fill out the customs form for the APO, AE online.  It will come up automatically and ask you if you wish to fill out online and print.  VERY easy.  The directions for the form are there and easy to follow.

An example, I just packed an 18 pound, large flat rate box with an APO address.  From my zip code, it would have cost about $28 to ship the same box without flat rate shipping... I paid $11.50 online...HUGE difference!!    It arrived 5 days later at the APO.

Also, you can request free carrier pickup from your home for your packages as long as at least one of them is a priority box. I have done this numerous times. It works great.

Hope this helps!!