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Contact the BFPO Enquiries Team
Tel: 08457 69 79 78

Freedom of Information

Defence FOI Website

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Pre-Christmas 2008 Free Postal Packet Service to Authorised Operational Locations

• Christmas free mail service to authorised Operational locations - Key Points
• BFPOs included in the pre-Christmas free postal packet service
• Christmas Mail General Guidance
• What is a packet?

Key points

1. There is a Pre-Christmas Free Postal Packet Service for delivery of postal packets to authorised overseas operational locations only. For the definition of a packet please refer to the What is a Packet? table below

2. This service will operate from 7th Nov 08 to 5th Dec 08 only.

3. Packets will be limited to 2kg in weight, for further details please refer to the What is a Packet? table below.

4. Relatives and friends in the UK and at BFPO addresses worldwide may send packets to named Service personnel and MOD deployed civilians only, in authorised operational theatres as listed below.

5. Items listed below should not be sent, please also refer to the list of BFPO prohibited items for details of the other mail prohibitions :

• Aerosols - Prohibited by the BFPO mail network- e.g. hairspray, deodorant etc
• Perishable goods - foods like fruit and meat.
• Fragile items - glass.
• Magazines containing pictures that might offend the cultural values of host nations, even though these might be widely available in the UK . 'Top shelf' magazines are an obvious example.

6. Customers who are posting letters, cards and packets up to 2kg in weight using the Christmas Free Mail Service must ensure that items are physically handed over to a counter clerk at a UK Crown/Sub Post Office or overseas British Forces Post Office to qualify for the free postage.

Please refer to the BFPO Enquiries page for a list of FAQ's relating to the free postal packet scheme.

BFPOs included in the Pre-Christmas Free Postal Packet Service

Only the BFPO Numbers detailed above are included in the Pre-Christmas Free Postal Packet Service.

Christmas Mail General Guidance

The information below should be used as a guide to anyone sending mail to BFPO addresses worldwide for Christmas 2008.

1. Try to send your Christmas cards and gifts early to ensure they arrive at their destination in good time for Christmas. Refer to the 'Latest Dates of Posting' page for details of the lastest recomended dates of posting for BFPO mail.

2. For safety reasons ensure that you do not include any prohibited items in your packages i.e. Aerosols. If your package or parcel contains a prohibited item it will be removed and will have the prohibited item removed before being sent on to the destination address causing a delay to all mail items on that particular day. During the busy Christmas period this can lead to your package missing the latest date of posting for guaranteed delivery and not being received at the destination until after the Christmas period. For more information on prohibited items click here.

3. Ensure you write the address clearly on the letter or package and that the BFPO number is the last line of the address, this will aid in the address being automatically read first time at the BFPO sorting office.

What is a Packet?