Instructions

1

Find out what's allowed. The United States military has very specific regulations about what can and cannot be sent to military bases. These rules are in place for the safety of everyone stationed on the base and must be followed closely. Find out what items you are allowed to send to the base by looking up government regulations or talking to the civilian liaison.
2

Consider the location. Many bases in the Middle East have much stricter limitations on sending certain material than bases in Asia and elsewhere. Items like adult magazines and pictures of women and celebrities are usually not recommended because of regional religious restrictions concerning these sorts of things. Many loved ones find ways to conceal these items in other materials. Think about where your loved one is stationed and take this into consideration when deciding what to send them.
3

Ask a soldier. Soldiers overseas miss all the things that remind them of home. Whether this is American music, pictures of family or food that they can't get where they are stationed, the things every soldier wants will be very unique. But there are certain things that all soldiers who have been deployed agree are necessities that make their deployment easier. Extra socks, baby wipes and chewing gum are just a few of the things that returning soldiers say they need when stationed overseas. Talk to a soldier who has returned from deployment, preferably from the area where your loved one is stationed, and find out from them what things they couldn't live without.
4

Limit perishables and valuables. Remember that the package you are sending is headed overseas and will pass through many hands before getting to your enlisted loved one, so do not send valuables that could be at risk of being lost or stolen. Perishable food items that could melt or leak should also be left out of the care package because they will destroy everything else inside the package and could cause the mail handlers to discard the entire package.
5

Expect delays. Sending mail overseas obviously takes longer than sending domestic mail. When sending mail and gifts to military personnel, remember that these gift packages will also have to travel through security checkpoints and pass through many departments for security reasons and for the safety of all enlisted members. Some packages may be delayed due to the items they contain. Do not be alarmed if your loved one does not receive the care package within a week of you sending it; depending on where it is being sent, some mail can take up to a full month to reach your loved one, so be patient.