MFRC How to Send Morale Mail

The Esquimalt MFRC is the easiest and most popular way to send morale mail or care package parcels to a deployed military member. This is a free service available at the MFRC under the direction of the Fleet Mail Office.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What are the hours of the Esquimalt MFRC?
The Esquimalt MFRC has two locations: one is located in Esquimalt, the other is in Colwood. Click here for hours of operation.
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Are wrapping supplies provided?
Wrapping supplies (i.e. tape, paper, scissors) are available at our Colwood and Signal Hill MFRC locations as well as at the Fleet and Base mail offices.
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Can I send liquids (i.e. beverages, hot sauce, pop, etc.)?
No. Liquids are a prohibited item. For a complete list, please see the Prohibited Items section below.
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What is the mailing address for my deployed military member?
Your mailing address will be one of the following, depending on where your military member is deployed:
RANK / NAME / INITIAL
HMCS (SHIP’S NAME), MESS #
PO BOX 17000 STN FORCES
VICTORIA, BC
V9A 7N2OPERATION NAME (####)
RANK / NAME / INITIAL
PO BOX (####), STN FORCES
BELLEVILLE, ONT
K8N5W6RANK / NAME / INITIAL
HMCS (SHIP’S NAME), MESS #
PO BOX 99000, STN FORCES
HALIFAX, NS
B3K 5X5 -
Why do I have to list the contents on the box?
Contents are listed on the box to help the Fleet Mail Office know what to expect to see when they x-ray the parcel. If they see something on the x-ray that wasn’t listed on the contents list they will pull the package aside and contact the sender.
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Why do I have to put my phone number on the box?
Phone numbers must be on the box so that the Fleet Mail Office (FMO) can contact the sender if any questions arise from the x-ray photos. FMO can call the sender to confirm items in the parcel and acknowledge that items are ok to be sent. If items are deemed prohibited, FMO can call the sender to arrange for the parcel to be picked from FMO or FMO may dispose of the items.
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Do I have to pay if mailing through Canada Post?
Yes. There may be exceptions for Christmas parcels, check with your local MFRC for information or call the Fleet Mail Office at 250-363-2176.
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If mailing through Canada Post, how much does it cost?
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.
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How many parcels can I send?
The number of parcels is unlimited. Multiple smaller parcels are preferred to one large parcel.
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Are there defined size and weight limits for my parcels?
Size: Maximum dimensions for a parcel are as follows: length = 100cm, width = 40cm and height = 40cm. The maximum weight for parcels is 20 kilograms.
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Can I send powders (i.e. protein powder, foot powder, baby powder)?
The sender will have to verify if these items are acceptable in the country where the member is deployed or visiting. Usually, Middle Eastern countries don’t allow any powders, this would include foot and protein powder. If the family member wants to send these items they can, however, they just have to remember that those items, if prohibited, may be seized at the border of these countries. It’s different if the member orders the item from a supplier and has it shipped to themselves vs a family member purchasing it and sending out as morale mail. Suppliers are licensed to sell and ship these items. Our suggestion, when sending powder items is to send in their own box to avoid seizure of your entire morale mail contents.
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Can I, as the military member, order items online to be shipped through the morale mail system?
Yes, if ordering from a company such as Amazon that will accept the PO Box STN Forces address, these items will be accepted at the main gate and processed at Fleet Mail Office. Please note: You may have difficulties ordering items from other companies that do not accept the PO Box Station Forces as a delivery address.
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Can I order items online for my deployed military member to be shipped through the morale mail system?
Yes, if ordering from a company such as Amazon that will accept the PO Box STN Forces address, these items will be accepted at the main gate and processed at Fleet Mail Office. Please note: You may have difficulties ordering items from other companies that do not accept the PO Box Station Forces as a delivery address.
Prohibited Items
The following articles are prohibited in morale mail and are likely to be rejected by the Fleet Mail Office:
- Tobacco including the following: electronic smoking products (electronic cigarettes, cigars, cigarillos, pipes and the liquid cartridges)
- Articles which are obscene / immoral
- Compressed gases (aerosols)
- Flammable liquids or solids (lighter fluid, matches)
- Corrosive liquids or solids (bleach, acids, ammonia)
- Explosives
- Alcoholic beverages
- Drugs and narcotics (including prescription drugs)
- Vitamins
- Perishable items (fruit, meat)
- Batteries (fluid, lithium) are only permitted if in their original sealed packaging
- Cologne, perfume, essential oils
- Fireworks
- Hairspray
- Ink
- Water pistols
- Knives
- Liquids of any kind
- Weapon replicas (e.g. Nerf guns, plastic knives, etc.)
- Essential oils
Drop off Locations
In total, there are four options on sending morale mail to a deployed military member.
- Drop off your package ready to go at the Colwood Pacific Activity Centre MFRC or the Signal Hill MFRC with a customs declaration form.
- Drop off your mail at another MFRC in Canada with a customs declaration form.
- Send through Canada Post with a customs declaration form (note: you will have to pay for this service with the only exception being around Christmas time)
- Drop off at Fleet Mail Office or Naden Mail Office with a customs declaration form. The mail offices are able to provide free wrapping paper, tape and customs forms. (note: parts of CFB Esquimalt might not be accessible to friends and family of military members)
Fleet Mail Office
Building: D37
250-363-4791
Open Monday-Friday 9am-2pm
Note: Military and Civilian personnel can drop off morale mail parcels at this location. They have a full Canada Post counter that offers mail services as well. Their wrapping station is open.
Naden Mail Office
Building: N34, Basement of Nelles Block
250-363-4198
Open Monday-Friday 10am-Noon
Note: Military and Civilian personnel can drop off morale mail parcels at this location also. The mail services are limited at this location, it is cash only sales. No wrapping station here.
Customs Declaration Forms
Here is what to write on your customs declaration form:
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.
- 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 available at the MFRC or any Canada Post outlet.
- Check the MFRC page for hours and locations.
Fleet Mail Office will return the parcels if the wrapping paper or box is ripped and forms/labels are coming off. Clients are responsible to wrap their package properly to avoid this from happening. If you have any questions on the morale mail program, please contact the Fleet Mail Office at 250-363-2176.
Important Resources
Here are some important resources for sending morale mail:
- Addresses for Overseas Operations and Postings
- Postal Information for HMC Ships on Deployment
- Postal Information for Terra Firma Members on Deployment
- Postal Information for MV Asterix
- Postal restrictions for all countries
- Postal restrictions for Unites States of America
- Canada Post information on morale mail
It is the sender's responsibility to know what is acceptable to send in the mail to that country.