Morale Mail

What is Morale Mail?

The morale mail service is a free one-way service, from Halifax to the deployed unit. Packages must be addressed to a CAF member who is deployed. We recommend that this service not be used within four weeks of member’s/addressee’s return to Canada. Senders wishing to have their parcels insured, registered, etc. will have to mail their parcels/letters using Canada Post (charges do apply), as this service does not track packages.

This service is for the sole benefit of members. Humanitarian aid/charitable donation will not be sent via this service. The morale mail service is not to be used to send mail to “Any Canadian soldier/sailor/aviator”.

Here are a few tips and tricks for getting your package to your loved one. You can always call us, email us, or come on by the Centre if you need more help.

MORALE MAIL GUIDELINES

Sending letters and packages can be a wonderful way to keep in touch with loved ones and friends serving overseas.

Please note: we only send mail to POBox Stn Forces, Belleville, Ontario addresses and to HMC Ships addressed in Halifax or Victoria. We do not send mail to those members on basic training, IR, or those posted outside to another base. Those packages will need to be sent through Canada Post.

Here are some guidelines to assist in properly preparing your letter or parcel.

• Plan in advance for special occasions. Once an item is mailed, it could take three weeks or more for the mail to be delivered to the addressee in theatre.
• Parcels must be clearly addressed with rank, initials and name, unit and section.
• The sender must place their return address and phone number on the top left-hand corner of the package.
• A Canada Post International Parcel Air/Surface Shipping Label is required with every parcel. Customs authorities of the destination country may examine all mail and may confiscate any prohibited item. (These forms can be found at your local MFRC or any Canada Post Office)
• A detailed list of contents is also required on bottom left corner of the address label.
• Ensure that the parcel is wrapped properly and securely and use packing tape. Do not use string to bind the parcel.

The following are specific guidelines for this service (Note: Oversize and overweight parcels will not be accepted):

• Weight: Maximum 20 kg (Approximately 44 lb).
• Size: Two conditions must be met regarding size:

maximum length is one meter (Approximately 39 “);
maximum length plus girth is two meters (Approximately 79 “)

The definition of girth = width + height + width + height.

In the following illustration, the parcel has the following dimensions: length = 1 m (approximately 39 ”), width = 0.3 m (approximately 12 ”), and height = 0.15 m (approximately 6 ”).

LOST OR DAMAGED ITEMS

This service is provided entirely by the Canadian Forces, no claim shall be raised against Canada Post. Should there be any problem, contact the Fleet Mail Office (FMO) at 902-427-6682.

PROHIBITED ITEMS

The following items are strictly prohibited by Canada Post & Canadian Armed Forces·

• WEAPONS (including single edge razor blades, knives, multi tools, gerber, or replica weapons such as water guns or nerf guns, etc
• OBSCENE MATERIAL (including magazines or pictures)
• COMPRESSED GAS (including aerosol cans such as spray paint, shaving cream, air fresheners, dry shampoo, deodorants, helium, and helium filled balloons, etc.)
• CARBONATED DRINKS (including sparking water, energy drinks, Pop etc.)
• CORROSIVE FLUIDS (including cleaning products, bleach etc.)
• FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS OR SOLIDS (including matches, lighters, nail polish, perfumes, aftershave, hair dye, hand sanitizer, glowsticks etc.)
• EXPLOSIVES, RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS OR AMMUNITION (including inertammunition, fireworks etc.)
• LITHIUM BATTERIES
• ALCOHOL (including alcohol-based products (rubbing alcohol) beer, cider, coolers, wine, etc.)
• TOBACCO PRODUCTS (Cigarettes, Cigars, Cigarillos, Chewing Tobacco, Loose Tobacco, etc.)
• ELECTRONIC SMOKING
• PRODUCTS (E-Cigarettes, Cigars, Cigarillos, Pipes and Liquid Cartridges, etc.)
• CANNABIS OR ANY PRODUCT CONTAINING CANNABIS DRUGS OR OTHER
• CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES INCLUDING NARCOTICS (Including prescription medication, over-the-counter medications etc.)
• PERISHABLE ITEMS (fruit, vegetable, meat, etc.)
• PLANTS, SEEDS, FRUIT, BARK, PLANT PARTS OR SOIL
• ANIMALS (including animal products like feathers)

All mail using the CFPS will be security screened for dangerous or prohibited items before it is prepared for shipment overseas.

Parcels suspected of containing questionable contents will be:

• Canada Post will be contacted
• the parcel will be opened
• the contents verified
• prohibited items removed
• a letter enclosed explaining the actions of the CFPS, and
• if possible, the parcel will be forwarded to the addressee.
• The CFPS will maintain a record of their actions concerning the parcel, the removed contents, a copy of the letter, and the disposition of the contents.

DROP-OFF LOCATIONS

Halifax Regional Municipality

HALIFAX SITE, H&R MFRC – Windsor Park (Monday-Friday: 7am – 4:30pm) 902-427-7788

SHEARWATER SITE, H&R MFRC – Hampton Gray Memorial Building (Monday-Friday: 8am – 4pm) 902-720-1885

Outside the Halifax Regional Municipality, within Nova Scotia (please call for hours of operation)

TRURO – Armoury, 126 Willow Street: 1-902-893-6883

SYDNEY SITE, H&R MFRC – Victoria Park
Garrison, 1 Des Barres Street: 1-902-563-7107

MAILING TO H&R MFRC

If you are unable to drop your package off to an MFRC or other unit that offers the no-cost morale mail service, packages can be mailed directly (at sender’s expense) to the H&R MFRC.

Wrap the parcel according to morale mail guidelines, including the Canada Post Customs Declaration Form and address label to a specific member, then wrap it a and select one of the following options to send the package to the H&R MFRC:

VIA Courier (FEDEX, Purolator, etc.)

c/o Deployment Services
H&R MFRC
Bldg WP106
6393 Homefire Crescent
Halifax, NS B3L 4T4
Tel: 902-427-7788

VIA Canada Post

Deployment Services
H&R MFRC
Bldg WP106
PO Box 99000 STN Forces
Halifax, NS B3K 5X5

ADDRESS LABEL

Senders must use a label that looks like the following, and must be completed in full. At the bottom of this page you will find links with printable address labels.

CANADA POST CUSTOMS DECLARATION FORM

Senders must complete the Canada Post Customs Declaration Form.

IF PACKAGE IS UNDELIVERABLE

What if the package cannot be delivered? The non-delivery instructions will be followed. For this reason, on the form, you need to check Return to sender (shipped back at sender’s expense) AND Abandon (package is disposed of). Both boxes must be check for your package to be mailed.

Write the Troops

Sending Letters to Canadian Armed Forces Members

Canadian Armed 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 only may be sent as per the addressing on the Canadian Government website here where you will find all the addresses for the overseas operations and instructions for sending letters.

The Canada Post free letter mail program is not extended to letters/cards addressed to “Any Canadian Armed Forces Member” and all such items will require postage.

Bulk mail

Perhaps your school, church, community group or business would like to send cards and letters bulked in a parcel to ‘Any Canadian Armed Forces Member’. Visit the Canadian Government website here to find out how. Again, all packages require postage.

Please ensure your parcel does 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.

If you wishing to send care packages or donations you can find instructions under the Donations section here.

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