Instructions for mailing overseas

In the following illustration, the parcel has the following dimensions: length = 1.0 m (Approx 39"), width = 0.3 m (Approx 12"), and height = 0.15 m (Approx 6").

To calculate its maximum size simply add the length (1.0 m) + its girth (0.3 m + 0.15 m + 0.3 m + 0.15 m) = 1.9 m (Approx 75").

• When mailing by Canada Post, a Canada Customs declaration form is required with every parcel addressed to one of our Belleville PO BOX STN Forces addresses or when sending mail to a deployed HMC Ship serviced through either Halifax and or Victoria. The Customs form must be signed by the sender of the parcel. Parcels sent to Canada through a Canadian Forces Post Office must also bear a Customs declaration form. Customs authorities of the destination country may examine all mail and may confiscate any prohibited item. Note that sending illegal and prohibited items may lead to criminal charges being laid against the sender. "
• Batteries should be sent in the original packaging and not loose or in a device.

Mail Regulations

No article may be sent by mail if their nature or packaging may expose postal employees to hazards, or damage other items of mail. Mailing the following items is strictly prohibited:

• alcohol, beer and wine
• tobacco products, cigarette and cigar
• weapons, including replicas
• Knives
• explosives, radioactive materials or ammunition
• matches
• flammable liquids or solids
• compressed gas
• propane cigarette lighters
• corrosive fluids
• obscene magazines or pictures
• drugs
• perishable items

Canadians sending letters for “Any Canadian Armed Forces member” 

• Canadian Forces members serving overseas appreciate receiving correspondence from Canadians as well as groups, schools and organizations from across Canada.
• Post cards, greeting cards and letters may be sent as per the addressing instructions below.
• The Canada Post free letter mail program is not extended to letters/cards addressed to “Any Canadian Forces Member” and all such items will require postage.
• Only parcels as described in the “Bulk Mail” section below are acceptable. Parcels addressed to “Any Canadian Forces member” containing any items other than correspondence will be returned to sender and the sender’s expense. For those wishing to send care packages or donations please refer to this link: Donations.

Bulk mail

Schools, groups, businesses and associations may send cards and letters bulked in a parcel.  The parcel is not to contain any other item other than correspondence.  Parcels found to contain items other than correspondence will be returned to the sender at the sender’s expense.

Addressing

All letters and parcels containing letters/cards are to be addressed to "Any Canadian Forces member". Please refer to our "Operational Addresses" to obtain the address information. Note that the lines "Rank/Initials/Name" and "Unit/Section" of the operational address are to be replaced with "Any Canadian Forces member".

For example, if writing to Afghanistan, the address should be:

Any Canadian Forces Member
Op Attention
Kabul
PO Box 5140 Stn Forces
Belleville ON K8N 5W6

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2. Canadian Forces Morale Mail guidelines from Canada to theatre

The Morale Mail service provides families and friends within Canada a cost-free alternative to using Canada Post to send care packages to those serving at a CAF deployed operation.  

Eligibility

Families and friends within Canada may send letters and parcels to Canadian Forces members, DND employees, CAFPSA personnel, and CAF Contractors. 

Delivery time frame

Because Morale Mail is often sent only once weekly from locations across Canada, it may take as long as 28 days from the time of mailing to delivery to the addressee in Theatre. 

Indemnity or expediency

If either is a concern, it is strongly encouraged that the item is sent via Canada Post with an appropriate amount of insurance or with a service that has a faster delivery time such as Canada Post Express Post or Priority Courier service.

Where to mail

Morale Mail can be dropped off typically at a Base or Wing Military Family Resource Centre, Mail Room, or Military Post Office.

Within the National Capital Region (Ottawa) - Morale Mail may be sent within the internal mail system.  It is essential to write “Via HCC” on the item to the right of the address.

Mailing Guidelines

As per the Guidelines for mailing by Canada Post. Customs Documentation is not required but the contents must be written on all parcels; just below the return address is an ideal location to list the contents.

Charitable Donations/Humanitarian Aid

Charitable donations and humanitarian aid are not acceptable within the Morale Mail system and will be returned to sender.

Donations to the troops

Donations to the troops are not accepted in Morale Mail.  Please refer to the Donations web page.

Security Screening

Senders are encouraged to place their address and phone number on the top left corner of the parcel thus enabling the CAF Postal Service to contact them should there be address or content concerns.  If the parcel contains questionable contents and there is no return address, the parcel will be opened, the contents verified, prohibited items removed, a letter enclosed explaining the actions of the CAF Postal Service, and the parcel sent to the addressee.  A record of the parcel, the contents removed, a copy of the enclosed letter, and disposition of the contents will be maintained by the CAF Postal Service. 

Loss of personal property

Morale Mail Service is not recommended for sending personal property or items of any significant value.  For those items, customers are advised to use the Canada Post mail service and to purchase insurance.  DND employees and CAF members wishing to submit a claim for damage or loss pursuant to Defence Administrative Orders and Directives 7004-2 are to complete and submit the form according to the guidelines at DAOD 7004-2B and submit to their serving AJAG office. 

Limitation of Liability

As this service is provided entirely by the Canadian Forces, no claim is to be raised against Canada Post Corporation. Except as specified at the “Loss of personal property” paragraph above, the Canadian Force Postal Service and the Department of National Defence shall not be responsible for any direct, indirect, general, special or consequential damages regardless of whether such damages result from the loss or mishandling, damage or delay in delivering of items mailed through Morale Mail service.

Return mail service

The Morale Mail service should not be used if the addressee is scheduled to return to Canada within four weeks of the mailing date.  Should a parcel be undeliverable in theatre, the parcel shall be taxed, and forwarded to the addressee in Canada.  If the addressee did not leave any forwarding address, the parcel shall be taxed and returned to sender.  If there is no forwarding information or return address, the parcel shall be opened in an effort to discover where the parcel is to be sent and, failing that, the contents disposed of in theatre.

Inquiries

To ask a question regarding the Morale Mail service, please click here to send us an e-mail.

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3. Addresses for overseas operations