Adopt a Troop
Individual volunteers, classes, or groups can directly meet the needs of our heroes by adopting a troop. When you sign up, you have the option to send care packages and letters directly to one or multiple troops.
💡 Here’s the good news
We’ve already done most of the work for you!
Our Approved Item List and Restriction Lookup Table below include the exact products that meet these rules — no guessing.
✅ How to Participate
- Check ZIP Restrictions — Check the ZIP code of the troop you are assigned with our simple lookup tool to see any content restrictions based on their location.
- Review the Package Type (A or B) — Package Type A is a restricted version composed of items that comply with all restrictions. Package Type B is an unrestricted version that allows more item choices (coffee, meats, etc.)
- Get the items and prepare your package — Pick items that travel well and are compliant with the ZIP code restrictions of your troop.
- Use Ship Thrifty for an easier experience — Ship Thrify has the customs forms and tools to support shipping to military address. Making it easy to get the correct HS codes and customs labels.
❤️ Make It a Group Effort
This program is perfect for classrooms, offices, and community groups — it’s a hands-on way to learn about global shipping, teamwork, and giving back.
Everyone can help by selecting approved items, tracking their shipments, and seeing how small details make a big difference.
Sending love from home has changed — but it’s still just as meaningful.
Recent international shipping rules now require that every single product we send overseas include detailed customs data like:
its weight
its country of origin
and a specific HS (Harmonized System) code
That means it’s no longer as simple as “fill a box and ship it.”
To keep care packages moving without delay (or rejection by customs), each item has to be documented correctly.
Any troop available for adoption has given Operation Shoebox permission to release their mailing address to a supporter. When a troop signs up for a package, we do not ask for their origin, branch, or specific overseas station. We learn this information only if they choose to disclose it.
If you are interested in sending letters and packages directly to one or more troops, please fill out the form provided on this page. Our adoption coordinator will contact you with information about a troop within 3-4 days.
Thank you for supporting our troops deployed outside the USA, letting them know they are remembered and cared for.
Note: ‘A troop’ refers to a single individual from any of the service branches.
We will keep all provided information confidential and it will never be shared or sold.
APO/DPO/FPO Zip Restriction Lookup Tool
The ZIP Lookup Tool below is updated monthly with the latest overseas military and diplomatic mail restrictions published in the Postal Bulletin.
⚠️ Information from this tool is for reference only. Operation Shoebox assumes no liability for returned or rejected items. Refer to the
USPS Postal Bulletins and Postal Explorer for official regulations.
Last updated: 10/15/25
Generally safe items for Package A
| Candy (heat resistant), Gum | |
| Granola bars, trail mix, crackers, popcorn, oatmeal, chips (No meat) | |
| Soap, Wet Wipes, razors, stationery (No liquids – No alcohol based sanitizing wipes) | |
| Entertainment cards, puzzle books, pens, notepads | |
| Powdered drink mixes (lemonade, iced tea, electrolyte) — no energy powders with stimulants | |
| Toothbrushes, toothpaste, Deodorant sticks (no aerosols/liquids), Combs, brushes, nail clippers | |
| Stress balls, fidget spinners (non-battery) | |
| Clothing (Socks, underwear, etc. new, packaged) |
Avoid Entirely for Package A
| D | Coffee prohibited |
| E | Medicines → No vitamins, OTC meds, or supplements → AVOID ALL . |
| E3 | Radios, GPS, scanners, cell phones → means no walkie-talkies or electronics. |
| H | Meats → Covers jerky, sausages, meat snacks. NO MEAT INGREDIENTS |
| H1 | No Pork → NO PORK INGREDIENTS (INCLUDES GELATIN). |
| I2 | Liquids → No hand sanitizer, no mouthwash, etc. |
| M | Fruits/Vegetables → No dried fruit packs unless factory sealed and coded correctly AVOID. |
| Still Avoid Even if “Safe-Looking” • Anything liquid or gel (shampoo bottles, sanitizer, etc.) → I2 • Energy shots/powders with stimulants → may trip E • Pork or jerky variants (even “snack sticks”) → H/H1 • Chocolates in summer climates (melt, not restricted but operationally bad) | |
Generally safe items for Package B
| Ground or whole-bean coffee, Instant coffee packets, Specialty teas (green, black, herbal), Hot cocoa packets | |
| Beef jerky, Turkey jerky, meat sticks, summer sausage, Tuna or chicken pouches (STILL AVOID PORK) | |
| Sanitizing Wipes NOT liquid, Soap, Wet Wipes, razors, stationery (Avoid Alcohol Ingredients) | |
| Entertainment cards, puzzle books, pens, notepads | |
| Granoloa bars, Energy bars with dairy or chocolate coating, Cookies | |
| Toothbrushes, toothpaste, Deodorant sticks (no aerosols/liquids), Combs, brushes, nail clippers | |
| Stress balls, fidget spinners (non-battery) | |
| Clothing (Socks, underwear, etc. new, packaged) | |
| Powder drink mixes with caffeine/energy boost claims |
Avoid Entirely for Package B
| E | Medicines → No vitamins, OTC meds, or supplements → AVOID ALL . |
| E3 | Radios, GPS, scanners, cell phones → means no walkie-talkies or electronics. |
| H1 | No Pork → NO PORK INGREDIENTS (INCLUDES GELATIN). |
| In practice, Box B is where you optionally include these morale-boosting extras, but only if the destination zip doesn’t list the restriction letters that apply (D, H, E, I, R). We will filter by ZIP on form submission | |
Common Questions
The term “troop” covers all, no matter what branch they may serve in. A “troop” is one individual person from any one of the service branches and “troops” are multiple. For example, 1 troop is 1 soldier; 4 troops would be 4 soldiers.
You are not required to send any packages or letters weekly or monthly. This can be a one-time event.
Shipping can take 1-2 weeks. Depending on their location in the world shipping can be delayed. Please use shelf stable items.
No, we adopt troops on a first-in, first-out basis and do not ask about the branch of the troops when they sign up. Therefore, we are unable to provide you with a specific branch when adopting out a troop.
Yes, you will have to fill out an EXTREMELY detailed customs form for each box you send . We are updating for the new requirements and will make easy to follow guidelines or premade lists to keep it as simple as possible!
-Check our FaQ page for more on shipping and addressing.
-You can ship your items to us or directly overseas to the troops through the Adopt a Troop program.
-If you are shipping a large quantity of items, we suggest using a large box, like a copy paper box, that way you can fit more items into fewer boxes.
-If you are shipping to us and you know the weight of your box, you can go online to FedEx, USPS and UPS to compare prices on shipping.
-If you would like to send a smaller box, we suggest using Flat Rate Priority boxes which you can get from your local post office.
-We suggest using travel size items, such as toiletries.
-When shipping toiletries, package the liquid items or items that will melt and leak like soaps, shampoos and lotions, separately from the other items in case they break open during shipping. You can put them inside ziploc bags and still ship in the same box.