what you can send foregin missions

[tams3mom]

I have a son in a foregin mission and would like to send him a package. I do not know what I can and can not send him. Can anyone help me?

please let myself or love_in_army(my daughter) know. Thank you.

[BenRaines]

It is difficult to send packages to foreign missions. Some of the challenges faced are customs duty on items in package, almost all packages are opened when they arrive in foreign country. In many countries like Mexico and anywhere south of there they get lost and never arrive, usually end up with someone in between. I have had friends with kids in Mexico to Brazil send packages by Fed-Ex and have them never arrive or arrive missing items.

Due to the cost and the possibility of losing what is sent it is better to deposit money to their personal account and let them treat themselves to something nice but not send anything of value or to eat. They all seem to disappear.

Good luck.

Ben Raines

[Flyonthewall]

It also depends on the mission, and how "foreign' it is. I know a missionary in the Congo mission in Africa, that basically has no mail service in most places, and even where they do, chances are slim to none that anything from America will arrive in it's entirety.

Europe and Austrailia may be more reliable than other places. I went to Japan and never heard of a problem with the mail.

I would also recommend just sending extra money if it is just something that can be purchased over there. If you want to send a little taste of home, make sure it is non-perishable, and non-breakable.

[susieSA]

Where might this foreign mission might be?

When my brother served his mission in Kenya he used to send a little list of requests....

Also you don't really want to send anything that will spoil too quickly...

You might also like to check out the Distribution Centre at the Temple... There are some really nice goodies for missionaries there that don't take up too much space....

[dont_take_girl]

We want to know where we can find the list of what he can or cant send my brother in a mexico mission. So if you can tell me or my mom that would be great thanks.

[Flyonthewall]

If the mission has a web site, you could try there, or contanct the mission president. He may have a flyer or something already made up.

[Lolgirl]

Well non perishable items are always good.Maybe write and ask what he needs and send some of what he does along.

[Hemidakota]

As others briefly spoke about on concerns of arrival with complete package, some locations cannot receive any mail, and other problems found within each country.

You need to see the mission presidents can send list. Each mission has one that is given to the missionaries and the parents.

[Rico]

It also depends on the mission, and how "foreign' it is. I know a missionary in the Congo mission in Africa, that basically has no mail service in most places, and even where they do, chances are slim to none that anything from America will arrive in it's entirety.

Europe and Austrailia may be more reliable than other places. I went to Japan and never heard of a problem with the mail.

I would also recommend just sending extra money if it is just something that can be purchased over there. If you want to send a little taste of home, make sure it is non-perishable, and non-breakable.

When I lived in Thailand, I got every piece of mail and package that my mom and other sent. It was never opened.

In the Philippines, I have never received a package or letter sent by regular mail from the US.

In Mexico, it was hit and miss.

In Korea, I received every piece of mail sent to me.

I hope this helps a bit.

[rayhale]

Some missions are letting missionaries use e-mail, you will need to check with the Mission President to be sure.

[Starfish]

Hi Tams, Ask your son in your next email what the other missionaries are getting. My son's mission had a no-food rule, but he told us the others were all getting food, so we sent food. (Non-perishable; we sent candy and treats, but no chocolate because it might melt.)

Also, I found that if I wrote "missionary supplies" on the forms, it usually made it to him. (He was in So. America.)

The frustrating thing is that our post office would tell me that it would arrive in, say, 3-4 weeks. Well it would arrive in the COUNTRY in that time, but who knows how long they let it sit on some dock, or in some post office before delivering. Sometimes many weeks more. Typically it took several months.

[BenRaines]

Best is to just deposit extra money in their account and let them get what they can find in country.

I have a problem with trying to deceive customs by putting false messages on packages. I have heard many different ways to get around it but is that what we are trying to teach?

That is like bragging about not paying taxes or speeding and not getting caught.

Good luck on making your missionary feel appreciated.

Ben Raines