Care package guide
The Complete Military Care Package Checklist
If you're sending a care package to someone deployed and you want to get it right the first time, this is the master list to work from. It covers everything worth packing, the items that get boxes seized or ruined in transit, and the customs and shipping steps that actually matter for APO/FPO/DPO addresses. Print it, check things off, and skip the guesswork.
Quick checklist
- Individually wrapped snacks and drink mixes (nothing that melts)
- Baby wipes and travel-size hygiene items in a sealed bag
- Foot powder, deodorant, and lip balm for heat and dust
- A few comfort items: soft socks, a small pillowcase, a photo
- Entertainment: paperbacks, a card game, downloaded content on an SD card
- Practical gear: quality pens, ziplock bags, a headlamp, phone charger
- A handwritten letter or card (the single most-wanted item)
- Completed PS Form 2976 customs declaration taped to the box
Best things to send
Snacks
- Individually wrapped jerky and meat sticks
Protein-dense, shelf-stable, and shareable, though check the destination before sending pork-based products.
- Drink mix powders (electrolyte, coffee, tea)
They make chlorinated or bottled water drinkable and add a taste of home without adding much weight.
- Sealed nuts, trail mix, and dried fruit
They survive heat far better than chocolate and pack a lot of calories into a small footprint.
- Hard candy and gum
They hold up in high temperatures and help when access to a toothbrush is limited on long shifts.
- Single-serve nut butter or crackers
Individual packets stay clean, don't require refrigeration, and won't crush the whole box if one breaks.
Hygiene
- Baby wipes and no-rinse body wipes
When showers are rationed or unavailable, these are the most requested item in nearly every deployment.
- Travel-size deodorant, toothpaste, and floss
Small sizes stay under any liquid concerns and are easy to carry in a pack or plate carrier.
- Foot powder and quality socks
Boots plus heat means constant moisture, so dry feet prevent blisters and infections that sideline people.
- Lip balm and unscented lotion with SPF
Sun, wind, and dry air crack skin fast; SPF matters in desert and high-altitude postings.
- Eye drops and hand sanitizer
Dust and sand irritate eyes constantly, and sanitizer helps when clean water isn't nearby.
Comfort items
- A handwritten letter or card
Consistently rated the most meaningful thing in any box, and it costs nothing to include.
- A small pillowcase or soft throw
It makes a cot or bunk feel more personal and washes easily in rough conditions.
- Printed photos
Phones die and service is spotty, but a taped-up photo is always there and boosts morale on hard days.
- A favorite tea, coffee, or comfort snack from home
A specific familiar flavor does more for homesickness than any generic treat.
- A small item tied to a shared inside joke or hobby
Personal touches show you know them specifically, which lands harder than a generic gift box.
Entertainment
- Paperback books and magazines
No battery, no signal needed, and they get passed around the whole unit once finished.
- A travel card game or compact puzzle
Downtime is long and unpredictable, and group games build morale during boredom.
- An SD card or USB drive loaded with shows and music
Streaming rarely works, so downloaded content is gold on a laptop or phone offline.
- Crossword, Sudoku, or activity books
Cheap, light, and perfect for killing time on guard shifts or long transit.
- A small Bluetooth speaker
Shared music transforms a shared living space and is worth the modest weight.
Practical gear
- Quality pens and a pocket notebook
Reliable writing gear disappears fast in the field and is always in demand.
- Extra ziplock bags in several sizes
They're used constantly to waterproof electronics, sort gear, and store food in dusty conditions.
- A headlamp and spare batteries
Hands-free light is essential for tasks in the dark, and batteries run out quickly.
- A durable phone charging cable and small power bank
Cables fail under rough use, and a backup keeps a phone alive between charging opportunities.
- Duct tape and a multi-tool
Both fix a hundred small problems and are among the most-borrowed items in any barracks.
What not to send
- Chocolate and other meltable candy in summer — Boxes sit in unairconditioned trucks and warehouses, and melted chocolate ruins everything it touches.
- Aerosol cans (spray sunscreen, hairspray, bug spray) — Pressurized aerosols are prohibited on the aircraft that carry military mail and will get the box rejected.
- Liquids and gels over allowed limits — Large bottles can leak, are heavy, and may exceed restrictions; stick to travel sizes in sealed bags.
- Perishable or strong-smelling food — Transit takes weeks, so anything that spoils arrives rotten, and strong odors can attract pests or void the box.
- Pork products to Muslim-majority destinations — Pork is prohibited entering many host nations and customs will seize the entire package.
- Fragile glass or breakable containers — Packages are thrown, stacked, and crushed in transit, so anything glass rarely survives the trip intact.
APO/FPO shipping tips
- Use USPS Priority Mail Flat Rate boxes; the price is the same to any APO/FPO/DPO and the military box comes free from USPS.
- Fill out PS Form 2976 or 2976-A customs declaration completely and honestly; the post office needs it before they'll ship the box.
- Double-bag anything liquid or powdered in ziplock bags so a leak or pressure change doesn't soak the whole package.
- Allow two to three weeks for delivery and pack accordingly, avoiding anything that melts or spoils in that window.
- Check the specific destination's restrictions before packing, since prohibited items vary by host nation (alcohol, pork, and certain media are common bans).
Budget-friendly picks
- Baby wipes (store brand)
A few dollars buys one of the most-requested deployment items, and every box should have some.
- Powdered drink mix multipacks
Cheap, light, and instantly upgrades bad water; a huge morale boost per dollar.
- A handwritten letter
Free, and consistently the single most valued thing in any care package.
- Paperback books from a used bookstore
Pennies each, weigh little, and circulate through the whole unit after the first read.
Free tool
Build a custom care package
Answer five quick questions and get a personalized checklist — then add the whole list to your Amazon cart in one click.
Start building →Frequently asked questions
What is the single most important thing to include in a care package?
A handwritten letter or card. Service members consistently rate personal notes above any product, because they're a direct reminder that people at home are thinking of them. It costs nothing and takes only a few minutes, so never skip it.
How much does it cost to ship a military care package?
USPS Priority Mail Flat Rate is the standard choice, and the price is the same whether the address is stateside-facing or across the world. There's also a discounted APO/FPO/DPO military Flat Rate box, and USPS ships the boxes to you for free. Expect roughly the cost of a domestic Priority shipment for a full large box.
Do I need a customs form to send mail to an APO or FPO address?
Yes. Even though APO/FPO/DPO addresses use domestic-style postage, they cross international borders, so you must complete PS Form 2976 or 2976-A. The post office won't accept the package without it, and you'll list the contents and their values on the form.
How long does a care package take to arrive?
Plan on two to three weeks, though it can be faster or slower depending on the deployment location and mail cycles. Because of that window, avoid anything perishable or meltable, and for holidays or birthdays, ship several weeks early.
Is there a free checklist I can print or a tool to build my box?
Yes. Homefront Hub has a free printable checklist at /checklist that you can take to the store, and a Care Package Builder at /generator that tailors a packing list to your specific recipient and their deployment. Both are free to use.
Can I send food to someone deployed overseas?
Yes, as long as it's shelf-stable and sealed. Stick to individually wrapped, non-perishable items that survive weeks of heat, and skip anything that melts, spoils, or smells strong. Also check the destination's rules, since items like pork and alcohol are banned from many host nations.
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