‘Tis the season for sending holiday cards and packages. As you get set to mail off your cards/packages for another year, why not think about sending something to a deployed member of our military? These men and women will be facing the holiday season away from home, and a kind note or a package showing how much they are appreciated sure would make them smile! (We bet it will also give you some warm fuzzies.)
Thanks to Canada Post, Canadians have the opportunity to send parcels and envelopes free of charge to our serving military members.
A few notes/guidelines (as stated on Department of National Defence website)
Parcels will be delivered free of charge from any Canada Post Retail Outlet to designated overseas locations from October 11, 2017 to January 12, 2018. This offer is restricted to those operations served by the Belleville Ontario K8N 5W6 address and to any deployed Canadian ships.
It is important to note that parcels must include the proper customs declaration forms.
Standard letter mail, letters up to 500 grams to deployed troops are also free of charge until December 31, 2017.
All items must bear a legible address including the correct Postal Code, as well as the shipper’s address. Generally, items addressed to a Canadian Forces Post Office or a Fleet Mail Office should include, as applicable, the following information:
on the 1st line – Rank, initials and name
on the 2nd line – Section or Mess number
on the 3rd line – HMCS (name of ship), Unit or Operation
on the 4th line – PO box number STN FORCES
on the 5th line – Name of the city, province, Postal Code or equivalent.
EX: PO W SMITH EX: CAPT M.M.F. DUVAL MESS #5 SUPPLY OP SOPRANO HMCS TORONTO PO BOX 5225 STN FORCES PO BOX 99000 STN FORCES BELLEVILLE ON K8N 5W6 HALIFAX NS B3K 5X5
If you would like to send a deployed soldier a parcel/card and do not have a specific name, we can help! Contact our office, and we will facilitate.
Senders are encouraged to clearly state their contact information on the package so CAF Postal Service can contact them in case of any concerns.
Some items that are prohibited to send include: Alcohol, tobacco products, cigarettes/cigars, weapons (including replicas), knives, explosives, radioactive materials or ammunition, matches, flammable liquids or solids, compressed gas/aerosol cans (e.g., shaving cream, air fresheners), propane cigarette lighters, corrosive fluids, obscene magazines/pictures, drugs, perishable items
For more information:
http://www.forces.gc.ca/en/write-to-the-troops/mailing-instructions.page#addresses
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