Home / War and Conflict / Troops' Holiday Boxes Returned: USPS Cites Labeling Error
Troops' Holiday Boxes Returned: USPS Cites Labeling Error
15 Dec, 2025
Summary
- Nearly 2,000 care packages for troops were returned due to customs form errors.
- USPS initially cited incorrect labeling, causing significant delays for holiday gifts.
- Senator's intervention prompted USPS to resend packages at no extra cost.
A Connecticut-based nonprofit, Boxes to Boots, faced a significant setback when nearly 2,000 care packages intended for American troops stationed abroad were returned. The packages, filled with toiletries and snacks, were sent back with customs forms circled for "toiletries," leading to confusion and distress for the organization that had spent months preparing them and over $10,000 on shipping.
The situation gained national attention, prompting intervention from Senator Richard Blumenthal. The United States Postal Service (USPS) then reversed its decision, agreeing to resend the returned boxes with corrected customs declarations and without additional postage fees. USPS acknowledged the issue but stated the shipping forms lacked sufficient detail according to current regulations.
While most packages are now expected to arrive in time for the holidays, approximately 150 remain missing, and some destined for the Connecticut National Guard are still awaiting shipment. This incident highlights a broader confusion and a shift in USPS's international shipping protocols that caught the nonprofit unexpectedly.
