Send mail to military personnel deployed overseas free of charge this holiday season

Many military families this season will be hundreds of kilometers apart from their military member this holiday season. However, thanks to Canada Post and the Canadian Armed Forces’ (CAF) Morale Mail program, being apart doesn’t mean being disconnected over the holidays.

Via Canada Post, families and friends can send parcels to loved ones overseas from Oct. 10, 2017, to Jan. 12, 2018 free-of-charge. Additionally, letters up to 500 grams can be sent free-of-charge until Dec. 31.

Mail intended for Christmas delivery to any CAF personnel serving overseas, and using a PO Box Stn Forces Belleville address, must arrive at Belleville by Nov. 17.

Packages must include the soldier’s name, rank, and mission information to ensure it reaches loved ones directly and must be deposited to a Canada Post retail outlet.

Don’t forget that all families and friends are required to complete a Canada Post Declaration Form for each parcel. The package must also contain a separate list of items including quantity, description, weight, and value.

If you’re loved-one is serving on Operation UNIFIER over the next few months, to meet Ukraine Customs requirements, each parcel will have an Operation specific “Care Package Load List” attached to it.

Considering the specific requirements for sending packages to family members, be sure to plan in advance because packages can take up to three weeks to reach their destination.

Families and friends can also use CAF Morale Mail to deliver parcels and letters to loved ones.

Mail sent through this method can be dropped off at any Base or Wing MFRC, mail room, and Military Post Office. People can also contact the local Military Family Resource Centre. However, keep in mind it can take up to 28 days to reach theatre, as Morale Mail is sent out once a week from locations across Canada, so plan ahead or use Canada Post for time sensitive packages.

“This type of initiative goes a long way towards improving and sustaining the morale of our deployed members.

It is a tremendously helpful service for CAF families and friends, who can send packages to their loved ones free of charge and helps bring a bit of Canada to our women and men who are overseas,” said Daniel Lebouthillier, CAF Public Relations Officer.

Schools, organizations, and groups can also use Canada Post to send letters of appreciation in bulk to CAF members posted overseas this holiday season. However, these parcels will require postage and are not free-of-charge.

Safety is of utmost importance, and any package that contains questionable content and no return address will be opened and verified, and contents may be removed. A letter is included in these packages explaining the situation.

The Belleville shipping address for Canada Post is:

RANK/INITIAL/NAME

OPERATION INFORMATION

PO Box Stn Forces

Belleville, Ontario, K8N 5W6

If you are reaching a loved one aboard one of Her Majesty’s Canadian Ships the address is:

RANK/INITIALS/NAME

MESS #/SECTION

NAME OF THE SHIP

PO BOX 17000 STN FORCES

VICTORIA BC  V9A 7N2

Or:

RANK/INITIALS/NAME

MESS #/SECTION

NAME OF THE SHIP

PO BOX 99000 STN FORCES

HALIFAX NS  B3K 5X5

For a complete list of guidelines, restrictions and operation addresses click here.