Excellent information, Tonk...I'm sending out a care package in the next day or so and didn't even think about restrictions, other than the obvious, like baby powder.
I'm sending items too, to a friend of mine. This is my list, using some of your suggestions and suggestions from the friend who is going to get the items...
Hygiene items
Hand Sanitizer*
Disposable razors
Shaving Cream*
Body Lotion*
Shampoo*
Conditioner*
Baby wipes
Lip balms*
Deodorant*
Feminine Hygiene items
Edible items
Candy (Hard, individually wrapped. No chocolate...will melt)
Slim Jims (if doesn't contain pork which is restricted in this zip code)
Beef Jerky
Individual bags of pretzels
Cookies
Twinkies
Moon Pies
Any individually wrapped snacks (Little Debbie, Hostess...NO POWDERED SUGAR)
Chewing gum
Hot sauces (Pace, Tabasco)*
Cheese Whiz in a can*
Entertainment and other items
DVD and VHS movies (Used, in good shape should be ok)
VHS tapes with a series of recorded sitcoms (ie: Friends, Frazier, Seinfeld)
Disposable cameras
Magazines
Local and national newspapers
Children's artwork
Paperback books
Phone cards
Decks of cards
Games like Scrabble, Cribbage boards
Irish Pennywhistles
Hand-held electronic games
Pens/Pencils/Paper pads/ Envelopes
Colored pencils/sketch pads
Batteries (Double A for hand-held games)*
The items with asterix * are items that might potentially leak or melt in transit, especially things under pressure, like the cheese and the shaving cream. If you combine food items with shaving cream and it explodes, then the food items would have the smell on them. When sending a combination box, be sure and enclose items that might potentially leak in a plastic baggie, large enough to contain any spills.
Do NOT send anything that resembles a white powdery substance. I'm sure talcum powder would be appreciated but it should not be sent. I would even stay away from anything that has powdered sugar on it. Instant drink powders are probably not a good idea.
When mailing, be sure and keep a list of everything enclosed in the box. You will need to write a detailed list on a customs slip, which they will give you at the post office. Be sure and put on the slip that the item is a bona fide gift. There ought to be a little box to check.
There are restrictions on the size you can send. The box must not exceed 130 inches in combined length and girth. So measure the box length...then measure around it and add together.
This probably doesn't need to be said, but...no pornography, no weapons, no alcoholic beverages or items used to make alcohol, like yeast, or hops.
