Frequently Asked Questions

You can use the CFPS if you’re sending mail to:

• CAF personnel who are serving on operational deployments outside Canada, including on Her Majesty’s Canadian Ships that are sailing on maritime deployments in international waters; 
• Designated CAF personnel and DND employees (and their families) who are serving on a temporary basis outside Canada; 
• an employee of the Department of Defence (DND), or another official organization, who’s entitled to use CFPO (such as PSP members) 

You should only use the CFPO to send mail to someone you know - there are other ways to support members of the Canadian Armed Forces. 

It may take 2 to 6 weeks, or more, from the time of mailing to delivery to the addressee. 

Items that do not meet size and weight restrictions will not be accepted. 

• Maximum weight of 20 kilograms or 44 pounds 
• Maximum length of 1 meter (39in); AND 
• The maximum length plus girth is 2 meters (79in) 

*The definition of girth is “width + height + width + height” 

All packages must be securely packaged in a sturdy box to avoid damage and leaking. Place breakable items or liquid substances within a strong outer container to avoid damaging other items. Fill your box so that the things in it cannot be damaged during transport. If necessary, use bubble wrap or newspapers.  

Canadian Forces Morale Mail is not insurable or traceable. 

In order to avoid confusion (ie when there are other labels, barcodes etc. on the box), all packages must be wrapped in plain, brown paper.  Please do not use string. 

The address is written directly on the paper with the contents of the package in the lower left corner. 

Parcels must be accompanied by an International Parcel Form from Canada Post containing the address, a return address, the content list and phone number visible.  

Place the return address on the top-left corner of the parcel.  

The receiver's address is placed in the center of the box, written clearly in uppercase letters.  

A list of all contents should be written in the lower left corner of the package. 

No article may be sent by mail if their nature or packaging may expose postal employees to hazards, or damage other items of mail. Mailing the following items is strictly prohibited by Canada Post and the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF):  

• alcohol, beer and wine  
• tobacco products, cigarettes and cigars  
• weapons, including replicas Knives  
• explosives, radioactive materials or ammunition including inert ammunition  
• matches  
• flammable liquids or solids  
• compressed gas, aerosol cans (i.e. shaving cream, air fresheners, etc.)  
• cigarette lighters  
• corrosive fluids  
• obscene magazines or pictures  
• drugs  
• perishable items  
• Lithium Batteries (unless mounted in a device) 

Additional mailing prohibitions may be placed on parcel contents by the Host Country. It is the sender’s responsibility to ensure that they comply with the prohibitions listed above and host Country prohibitions for mail.   

International Destination Listing 

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 7N2 

RANK / NAME / INITIAL  
OPERATION NAME (####) 
PO BOX (####), STN FORCES    
BELLEVILLE, ONT 
K8N5W6 

RANK / NAME / INITIAL 
HMCS (SHIP’S NAME), MESS # 
PO BOX 99000, STN FORCES 
HALIFAX, NS 
B3K 5X5

View the current address list

Contents are listed on the box to help the CAF Post 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. 

Phone numbers must be on the box so that the CFPO can contact the sender if any questions arise from the x-ray photos. CFPO can call the sender to confirm items in the parcel and acknowledge that items are ok to be sent.

Yes. There may be exceptions for Christmas parcels, check with your local MFRC for information 

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. 

The number of parcels is unlimited. Multiple smaller parcels are preferred to one large parcel. 

Remember to plan in advance for those special occasions as mail overseas may take anywhere from 2-6 weeks to arrive at its destination.  

We recommend that expensive items NOT be sent in the event that a package arrives damaged.  

Brainstorm ideas that will be easy for your loved one to bring back home with them as they already have a lot of equipment and bags returning home with them.  

Please be advised that vapourizers are not permitted in parcels for deployed members, as they are considered a tobacco product.