DO not send packages to the Brazil Missionary Training Center. All packages must be sent directly to the mission where your missionary will be serving not the MTC. If you have already mailed a package to the Brazil MTC and it arrives after your missionary has left for the field, please understand that the package can not be forwarded to his or her mission and will be returned to you. The only other option is for us to open the package and forward the letters and photographs, giving the rest of the content of the package to the missionaries that are here.

WE Strongly encourage SENDING HAND-WRITTEN LETTERS. Please write your missionary´s first and last name. Your missionary will provide you with his district and box number. Also, please DO NOT SEND ANYTHING BY FEDEX, DHL, UPS, or other private carriers. The cost [for us] to [receive] this type of correspondence is [prohibitive].

[Forwarded to us by MM Kay S. of Idaho]

Top of Page

The Postal worker weighed the box for me, handed me a brochure, and advised that it is now easier to create the label on-line as now you HAVE to list everything that's in the box, what it's worth, and how much each thing weighs (bubble bursts). Sigh... So, I did as the brochure explained and created an account on-line, took a few tries at how to list the items and get the weight for each (which I was totally guessing). One of the little pop-up information boxes said something about chocolate not being allowed so I listed "Christmas candy" -- print the labels... save all my info for the next time -- seems like it's a pretty simple program to use. Tape the box back shut again and head back to the Post Office.

The Postal worker that helped me looked totally confused by the new system, she was doing something with the computer and was having to re-enter the contents I had already entered. All she really needed to do was tuck the printed receipt labels that I handed her in a plastic sleeve, slap it on the box and send it on its way (she didn't know, I didn't know - new system). Now I'm so worried that what she did, compared to what I did, might cause that package to not get there. And it also makes me uncomfortable that I had to list everything that was in the box. I tried to list "LDS music" -- "LDS Missionary Ties" -- "LDS Missionary literature" -- and did list the portable CD player. Now is my son going to know exactly what's in the box? Oh well... but also, is that a concern that the people shipping these things can actually read what's in the box? Oh boy. I'll be doing lots of praying from now until that box is in his hands! Isn't the postal service making our packages more tempting to steal?

Anyway, here's the site: www.usps.com/clicknship -- I liked the website -- there was an option that said something like "notify us and we'll come pick up your package for you" -- maybe I should have done that.

New things to learn... any of you had to do this?

MM Natalie, UT
Elder Derek, Culiacan Mexico

Top of Page

I also didn't list every item. I put what I always put: missionary supplies $10, pictures $3, snacks $10. I noticed that the postal worker had to enter everything on the computer and told me it was a little different now but never mentioned I could do it at home. I will be very willing to do it at home. I hate the PO lines and have started mailing domestic packages late at night with their self serve machine. I love that. No lines at midnight! Now I'm hoping my package gets there. Seems to me it was handled the same way I have done international mailing for 4 years except the postal worker putting more into the computer.

Not much consistency nationwide is there?

MM Kristy, Oregon
Mexico, Torreon 09/11

Top of Page

It is a bit trickier to do the international labels, just because you do have to list everything and get those weights to add up, but it's still much easier than ya think! I have send packages to my son in Mexico using the online labels for the past year or so and he has gotten everything just fine. I don't even bother going into the post office, I just hand the box off to my postal carrier or even leave it in my mailbox if it's the smaller box and he will pick it up. You also can drop it off at the post office into one of those giant drop-off bins for packages. Because you have set up an online account, and they have your information, it is not required that you "personally" hand the package to a postal worker.

And you are way more on the ball than me... I gotta get my boy's Christmas box together really soon!

MM Beth, AZ
Elder Chris, SA Cape Town, 8/06-6/08
Elder Ben, Mexico Torreon, 4/08-4/10
and future MM to 2 more boys ages 15 & 12

Top of Page

You can also search around within that ordering website. All of the priority sleeves, boxes, labels, stickers, etc are completely free and they will be delivered right to you at home. Like I said, I am lovin' the USPS these days :) I never have to wait in line!

MM Beth, AZ
Elder Chris, SA Cape Town, 8/06-6/08
Elder Ben, Mexico Torreon, 4/08-4/10
and future MM to 2 more boys ages 15 & 12

Top of Page

I would like to share-- the cheapest way to send items to Romania--or anywhere in the world.

If you have something less than 4 lbs --that means an ounce less--and it will fit in a priority envelope (ask for a legal size one--it holds more) it only costs $14. Unfortunately the legal size envelopes are no longer available at our post office --you have to order them on line. I have sent lots of things this way---brown sugar which by the way weighed just less than 4 pounds and it was a bulky package as long as it closes you can put anything in it. I took a box-with other things besides the brown sugar -and it was going to cost $48 so I sent half of it in one priority envelope--I had to take the brown sugar home and repackage it and sent it a week later--it only cost $14--so $28 is way cheaper than $48. Hope this will help someone.

Be Blessed,

[mm] Kriste
Irvine, CA

Top of Page