sending things to a friend in the army...

Kitty777

Hello!

I have a close friend who has just been deployed to Cyprus for 6 months.

He has given me a handful of 'blueys' so that I can write to him, but I have a few more questions.

Am I able to send him something in my own envelopes and paper? Maybe some pictures, postcard, drawing, a little something sweet?

Also am I able to send anything bigger such as gifts, a teddy bear or something to make him smile?

If so, how do I go about it? Do I just send it as I would normal post?

Thanks!

Artytarty

Hi, as far as I know you need to get a BFPO address for him. That's British Forces Posted Overseas.
I think you then only pay the uk rate of postage which will be much cheaper.
Your friend should be able to give you this address.
I'm sure someone who knows the fuller picture will be along to advise shortly!

AndyBSG

As Arty says, you need his BFPO address.

When my mate was stationed in Iraq we sent him a big parcel with all sorts in it, magazines, books, sweets and a book all his mates wrote messages in.

Kitty777

Hey! Thank you all

I have his address and have sent a letter using the sheet he gave me but I was just wondering if I was allowed to send something not using that blue piece of paper...it seems like I can..maybe I will have to ask at the post office about charges

bellaboo86

My friend and husband (RAF) were in Cyprus and you can send whatever you want as long as you have the BFPO. I can assure you that they all order stuff online and it get's there fine.

mgdavid

Kitty777 wrote: »

Hey! Thank you all

.......maybe I will have to ask at the post office about charges

Wouldn't it be easier just to look it up?
You can use google?
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=postal+charges+for+BFPO+addresses

http://www.royalmail.com/personal/international/hm-forces-mail

thriftyemma

As far as I remember, blueys are 'pre-paid', in that you can send them to a BFPO (British Forces Post Office) address without having to pay postage. You can still send regular mail, parcels, cards, etc to BFPO addresses, but there will be a charge.

mgdavid

thriftyemma wrote: »

As far as I remember, blueys are 'pre-paid', in that you can send them to a BFPO (British Forces Post Office) address without having to pay postage. You can still send regular mail, parcels, cards, etc to BFPO addresses, but there will be a charge.

As already confirmed in the links posted immediately above your post.

mr_knight

You can just send things by normal Royal mail Just make sure you put UK on the address after the BFPO.