Packages to your deployed Marine will need to be sent through the United States Postal Service (USPS, US Mail) for delivery to a US-based military mail system. The rate you pay for postage is the same as domestic mail, not overseas mail. This equates to a significant savings.

Here's how it works. Once your package leaves the postal facility, it is shipped to a military installation on the east or west coast. From there, military mail takes over the transportation and delivery. That destination in the US—not the overseas destination—determines the shipping costs. Generally speaking, overseas zip codes (APO or FPO) beginning with a "0" are shipped from a military facility on the east coast; those beginning with a "9" are shipped from a military facility on the west coast.

If you are shipping from California to an APO/FPO 9xxxx zip code, you will pay a significantly lower rate than families on the east coast shipping to the same zip code. However if you are shipping to an APO/FPO 0xxxx zip code, your rate would be much higher.

Flat Rate Boxes and FREE Supplies from the USPS
Keeping all of that in mind, most folks want to consider "Flat Rate" boxes for shipping care packages overseas. However, depending on where you live and what zip code you are shipping to, you may want to compare rates. Check with your post office. There are now THREE sizes of flat rate boxes. The original #1 and #2 are $8.95 (as of May, 2007; subject to change with postal regulations). The new larger flat rate box available March 3, 2008 is $12.95, however, when shipping to an APO/FPO address there is a $2 military discount, making your final cost to ship overseas $10.95. For all USPS flat rate packaging the rate is the same regardless of the weight.

NEW Size USPS Box with Military Discount!
The U.S. Postal Service announced January 17, 2008 a new, larger Priority Mail Flat-Rate Box which enables customers to ship 50 percent more than with the current box. It will be offered at a discount to overseas military addresses, a postal first for the armed forces. The new boxes will be available March 3, 2008. The new boxes may be ordered by calling toll free 800-610-8734 or visit the USPS web site.

Flat Rate Priority Mail Packages:
The USPS has a new price of $8.95 for flat-rate Priority Mail boxes for either of two size boxes (up to 70 lbs. weight) and flat-rate envelopes are now $4.65. Both the boxes and the envelopes are provided free from the USPS. This is anywhere in the U.S., and DOES include any APO/FPO mailing address as well.

Order FREE Supplies from the USPS Online:
You can order your flat rate boxes and customs forms online. To order, go to shop.usps.com. For the flat rate boxes, enter FRB in the search field. For customs forms and plastic sleeves, enter 2976 in the search field. The boxes and forms are shipped to you at no cost.

Care Kit 4 For Military Families From USPS:
February 24, 2008: I believe the Care Kit has been discontinued with the addition of the new size flat rate box with military discount. I'm verifying that with the post office now.

You can request a "Care Kit 4" for mailing to the military by calling 800-610-8734. It has 10 boxes (5 each size), 5 envelopes, 15 customs forms and some Priority Mail tape. This is the only way we have found to receive a free roll of "priority mail" packing tape which comes in handy when you're shipping so many care packages!

Priority Mail vs. Parcel Post:
There are three advantages to shipping priority mail over parcel post. (Note: Flat Rate boxes are Priority Mail.)

1. Priority mail packages WILL arrive quicker at the APO/FPO mailing facilities.
2. Priority mail and packages will have priority for loading onto military mail flights.
3. A priority mail package that is non-deliverable is returned to the sender without additional postage due, which is not the case with parcel post.

FedEx, UPS, DHL and Other Carriers:
There is some disagreement as to whether or not these carriers will deliver mail overseas. We have heard instances of FedEx delivering in Kuwait for instance, and we've heard folks complain that FedEx is unable to deliver to Iraq. Certainly these carriers may have service in non-combat areas of the world. Please check with each carrier if you feel a need to ship other than USPS and Military Mail.

*Please note that postal rates my change nationwide. Please check with your post office for exact shipping costs.