USPS returns 800 troop care packages; probe underway
Nonprofit Boxes to Boots says more than 800 of 1,100 holiday care packages mailed in mid-November to deployed U.S. troops were returned by the U.S. Postal Service for insufficient customs descriptions, with over 100 boxes missing and about 300 delivered. USPS said it is investigating and that packages may be returned when customs forms are incomplete or lack required detail; the nonprofit is asking President Donald Trump and War Secretary Pete Hegseth to intervene so the parcels arrive before Christmas.
đ Key Facts
- Boxes to Boots reports ~800 returned, ~100 missing, and ~300 delivered from 1,100 mailed packages.
- USPS statement: investigating; packages may be returned if customs forms are incomplete or lack detail.
- Nonprofit publicly appeals to President Trump and War Secretary Pete Hegseth for help to meet holiday delivery.
đ Relevant Data
The U.S. Postal Service deleted the 'known mailer' and 'official mail' exceptions for customs declarations for mail to, from, or between overseas U.S. military and diplomatic Post Office addresses effective September 29, 2024, to align with customs policy and international requirements.
Customs Declaration Exceptions â Federal Register
As of June 2025, there were more than 171,500 active-duty U.S. military personnel stationed in foreign countries.
29 Foreign Countries With the Largest US Military Presence â MSN
In FY2025 Quarter 4, USPS outbound Single-Piece First-Class Mail International performance was 66.6 percent on time.
Quarterly Performance for Single-Piece First-Class Mail International â USPS