Washington (October 20, 2025) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) today wrote to Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Postmaster General Dave Steiner, Chair of the Postal Board of Governors Amber McReynolds, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Rodney Scott, urging the United States Postal Service (USPS) and the Trump administration to make it easier for U.S. servicemembers overseas to receive personalized care packages. As the 2025 holiday season approaches, a new international postal policy is threatening to cut off these important care packages from servicemembers and families stationed abroad. Senator Markey has heard directly from community organizations across Massachusetts that serve our troops, including leaders from Operation American Solider in Watertown, Operation Troop Support in Danvers, and Adopt A Platoon Southie Style in South Boston.
Senator Markey writes, “This new policy is burdening the numerous nonprofit organizations that provide personalized care packages to our troops stationed overseas, creating unnavigable reporting requirements that have significantly hindered their operations. I write today to urge the Department of Defense (DoD) and United States Postal Service (USPS) to find a workable solution for organizations across the country that provide care packages to service members.”
Senator Markey continues, “If DoD and USPS fail to take action, U.S. military personnel and their families may not receive personalized support from care package organizations. Throughout our nation’s history—in times of conflict and in times of peace—local organizations, individual communities, and ordinary volunteers have always pitched in to care for U.S. military members abroad. I call upon USPS to help maintain this sacred tradition. Those who serve our country deserve the utmost care not only from our government, but also from local organizations across the United States dedicated to serving our troops.”
Senator Markey requests that the Administration inform him whether USPS can adopt the following mitigation steps by November 15, 2025:
- Order a 180-day enforcement delay for 501(c)(3) humanitarian shipments to foreign service members.
- Create a “Humanitarian Care Package” template that eases compliance with the new USPS regulations. Specifically, this template would:
- Allow for the most basic HS codes from plain-language descriptions;
- Allow category-level listing for low-value consumables and apparel;
- Accept a consolidated manifest for food items, hygiene-related items, and other similar items, instead of requiring manual entry for every unique item.
- Publish clear guidance and substitution rules (e.g., alcohol-free wipes for sanitizer).
- Preserve flat rate pricing and free Priority Mailboxes.
