What NOT to Send Overseas
Updated May 5, 2026 · 7 min read
The fastest way to delay or ruin a care package is to pack something that gets it held at customs — or that destroys everything around it in transit. Before you seal the box, scan this list.
Never send these
- ✕Aerosol cans & pressurized containers — Prohibited by air transport rules — they can rupture at altitude.
- ✕Alcohol of any kind — Not allowed to APO/FPO addresses, full stop.
- ✕Pork products to certain countries — Restricted by many host nations; check the destination first.
- ✕Perishable or homemade food — Two-to-three week transit times mean it arrives spoiled.
- ✕Chocolate & anything that melts — In hot climates it becomes an inseparable mess that ruins everything else.
- ✕Glass containers — They shatter in transit and can injure the recipient.
- ✕Anything that can leak — Unsealed liquids and gels will coat the rest of the box.
Send these instead
Swap chocolate for hard candy or gum, aerosol deodorant for a stick, liquids for powders (drink mixes, foot powder), and homemade treats for sealed, shelf-stable snacks like jerky and trail mix.
When in doubt, double-bag and ask
If you're unsure about an item, seal it in a zip-top bag and confirm current rules with USPS and the receiving unit. Restrictions vary by destination and change over time.
A quick OPSEC reminder
Avoid sharing sensitive deployment locations, unit movements, or dates — online or on the package. When in doubt, keep it general.
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