Guidelines for sending mail to troops issued

WASHINGTON – Don’t send pornography or pork products to American troops in the Middle East.

The post office listed those and other restrictions Tuesday on sending packages to service personnel through the Postal Service. Other taboos for mail going to Muslim countries such as Kuwait and Saudi Arabia: religious materials contrary to Islam and unauthorized political materials.

Postal Service spokesman Mark Saunders said the restrictions are based on customs requirements of host countries of American service personnel.

The tips also contain practical advice to make sure mail reaches its destination. One is basic: Make sure to use the service member’s full name, unit and Air/Army Post Office or Fleet Post Office address with the nine-digit zip code, along with the return address. For packages, print only on one side of the box.