MFRC How to Send Morale Mail
Did you know you could send morale mail to your deployed military member for free? This service is available at the MFRC under the direction of the Fleet Mail Office.
Mailing Instructions
Mailing Addresses
Your mailing address will be one of the following, depending on where your military member is deployed:
RANK / LAST NAME / INITIAL | RANK / LAST NAME / INITIAL | RANK / LAST NAME / INITIAL |
For more information on mailing addresses specific to land-based deployments, please visit here.
How to Address Parcels
Phone numbers and contents must be listed on the box so that the Fleet Mail Office (FMO) can contact the sender if any questions arise from the x-ray photos.
If items are deemed prohibited, FMO will remove the items and place a notice of removal letter inside the package. The letter will outline the reason why items were removed along with item pick-up instructions. Depending on the nature of the items, prohibited items will be held for 12 months before either being destroyed locally with witnessing officer (ie. controlled goods such as alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, etc.) or donated to yearly padre holiday hamper charity (ie. aerosol cans, perfumes, replica toy guns, etc).
Size and Weight
- The number of parcels you can send is unlimited.
- Multiple smaller parcels are preferred to one large parcel.
- The maximum weight for parcels is 20 kilograms.
- Maximum dimensions for a parcel are as follows:
Maximum length of one side: 1m
Maximum size: Height + Width + Height + Width = Circumference
Circumference + Length = <2m
Fleet Mail Office Guidelines
The MFRC operates as a postal outlet for the Fleet Mail Office so please adhere to the following guidelines to avoid delay of your parcel:
- If your military member is away on a course or imposed restriction (IR), you must mail your letters or parcels through Canada Post (sender pays).
- Ensure that your parcel is wrapped in standard, sturdy parcel wrapping paper. It should look the same way as if you were sending a parcel via Canada Post. This paper can be found at stationary supply stores, Canada Post outlets or your local Dollar Store.
- Underneath the outer sturdy wrapping, you can gift wrap your parcel.
- It is also recommended that parcels are taped on all edges.
- International customs forms are required on all parcels.
The sender is responsible to ensure the item is securely wrapped with sufficient cushioning and reinforcing material as required to prevent loss, damage to the item, damage to postal equipment, other mail, and/or injury to persons handling the item. If you have any questions on the morale mail program, please contact the Fleet Mail Office at 250-363-2176.
Prohibited Items
The following articles are prohibited in morale mail and are likely to be rejected by the Fleet Mail Office:
Weapons, (including knives) or replica weapons
Obscene material including magazines or pictures
Dangerous goods as defined by Transport Canada’s Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations
Compressed gas, (i.e. aerosol cans such as shaving cream, air fresheners, etc.)
Corrosive fluids (i.e. bleach, acids, ammonia)
- Flammable liquids or solids (matches, lighters, many perfumes and toiletries have an alcohol base which is flammable)
- Explosives, radioactive materials or ammunition including inert ammunition
- Lithium batteries outside of devices
- 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 (prescription drugs)
- Perishable items (Fruit, Vegetable, Meat, etc.)
- Plants, Seeds, Fruit, Bark, Plant Parts or Soil
- Animals
- Hand Sanitizer – alcohol based thus flammable
- Humanitarian aid/charitable goods are not to be sent through the Morale Mail system.
If you are unsure about a particular item or have further questions about prohibited items, please contact the Fleet Mail Office at 250-363-2176.
Drop off Locations
Colwood Pacific Activity Centre MFRC (CPAC)
2610 Rosebank Road
250-363-2640
Open Monday to Friday: 8:30am-4:00pm
Wrapping supplies (i.e. tape, paper, scissors) and customs declaration forms are available.
443 Squadron
9755 Willingdon Rd
Open Monday to Friday: 8:00am-5:00pm
There is no wrapping station, but customs declaration forms are available.
Fleet Mail Office (Dockyard)
Building: D37
250-363-2176
Open Monday to Friday: 7:00am-2:00pm
Military and Civilian personnel can drop off morale mail parcels at this location (parts of CFB Esquimalt might not be accessible to friends and family of military members). Customs declaration forms are available.
Naden Mailroom
Building: N34, Basement of Nelles Block
250-363-5658
Open Monday to Friday: 9:00am-2:00pm
Military and Civilian personnel can drop off morale mail parcels at this location also. Customs declaration forms are available.
Other MFRC Locations in Canada
Wrapping supplies (i.e. tape, paper, scissors) and customs declaration forms are available.
Canada Post
Regular Canada Post rates will apply when shipping through Canada Post. However, you only pay the cost from your location to the Canadian destination of that parcel, not the location of your deployed member.
*Every year for the holiday season, Canada Post offers a free holiday postal service. It starts around mid-October and goes to mid January; you can send mail to your deployed loved ones free of charge from any Canada Post location during this time.
Canada Post Strike
Canada Post is currently on Strike. Morale Mail can still go through MFRCs across the country and the Canadian Armed Forces Mailrooms, but not through Canada Post outlets.
If you are not located near an MFRC or Canadian Armed Forces Mailroom, you can courier your parcels to Esquimalt at your own expense. Prepare your care packages as normal and then use an outer box or courier packaging. We suggest writing "MORALE MAIL FOR REDISTRIBUTION" on the top line, and sending it "Care Of" (C/O) to the address below:
Fleet Mail Office Victoria
D37 Hospital Road
Victoria, BC. V9A 5K5
*In these circumstances, the CP72 (Customs Declaration Form) will not be needed, the list of contents is still required, preferably as complete as possible.
Customs Declaration Forms
Here is what to write on your customs declaration form:
*International customs forms are required on all parcels.
Ensure you have the correct mailing address for your deployed military member. Mailing Addresses can be found here.
Care Package Idea List
Are you looking for inspiration on how to decorate or what items to add to your next care package? Here are a few ideas to get you started:
Additional Information
Here is an important resource for sending morale mail: Instructions for mailing overseas.
It is the sender's responsibility to know what is acceptable to send in the mail to that country.
