Overview
Although contractors may have access to a military PX (store),
if they are stationed on a base, shopping still
may not be very practical. Many contractors are working 7 days a week,
12 hours a day. The PX may be quite a walk from their base of
operations (across camp could be more than a mile away in 120 degree
heat), or it might not be open when they get off of work, or the
lines may be long. Or maybe they are just too tired.
So what do they need? They often need the same types of hygiene items
that soldiers are requesting: sun screen, tooth paste, etc. And the
same kinds of moral boosters: junk food, powdered gatoraid, cd players,
letters from home.
Contractors might also move around a lot. Although stationed at
the same base, my husband has moved 3 times in the last 3 weeks. As
a result, small and sample versions of things being sent to them
is also appropriate. My husband said that he had to carry all of his
own stuff from place to place, so weight and size are a factor.
What to send
Below are some links that people have shown to me that might be useful.
They'll send it for you
Please let me know if you use any of these links and what your
experience with them are. I can be reached at web-mom@icfsc.com
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How to send it
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About US Customs Forms
- Letters do not need US Customs Forms attached; however, if you
send a "fat" letter, you may wish to use the green "
short form" (PS Form 2976 Customs Form )and put "correspondence" on it
- Packages under 4 pounds can use the green "
short form" (PS Form 2976 Customs Form )
- Packages over 4 pounds need to use the
white, 4 part form (PS Form 2976-A Customs Declaration and
Dispatch Note) that the postal worker will hand cancel and insert into
a clear envelope to be attached to the package
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How long will it take to get there?
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Should I send it "Priority Mail"?
- Priority Mail is only an advantage while the package is still in the
United States Postal System. Once it get into the Military Postal
System, then all items are treated equally, depending on space and such.
If you are on either Coast, and your "APO" is also on that
coast, then priority will probably not gain you anything. However,
if you are on opposite coasts, then priority will gain you a day or
two getting to the other side of the US. I am not sure if there is
much of a gain from the central parts of the US going to the coasts.
And, it is significantly more costly.
- You can get free Priority Mail boxes and envelopes from the US
Post Office. If you are buying your own boxes, this may make up the
difference in the cost of sending priority vs. regular mail. If the
boxes are not on display, ask the postal worker and they'll get it
for you
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