Gentlemen,

New poster here with a couple of what may be redundant and/or stupid questions.  I've sent several care packages in the past, but they included mostly foodstuffs.  I've a Recon Marine friend currently deployed in the sandbox.  My commo link with him is not consistent, so I figure I can probably get a quicker reply here.

1. A friend suggested that a can of compressed air (such as is used for cleaning electronics and cameras) might be useful in cleaning my buddy's Aimpoint and other optical gear.  I seem to recall a prohibition on shipping aerosols.  Does anyone know if shipping "canned air" would be permitted?

2.  I know that flammable liquids are also prohibited in general, but wonder if there is an exception for small quantities (such as a few 1 ounce bottles) for substances like CLP or Rem Oil.

My thanks in advance for your responses and more important, my thanks for your service.

I know that the canned air will be a no-go, but I think that gun oil will be allowed.  I have had some sent to me anyway, with no problems.   Make sure it is a non-aerosol container, of course.  I like clp, but militec is good stuff too and they will send anyone here free samples (a bunch!).  I'll get a current list of mailing restrictions for the AOR and post it here later.  

ETA:  Here is the current list, of course what you put on the customs label will largely dictate what makes it through and what doesn't.  All mail going out of the theater is x-rayed and hand inspected, but mail coming in isn't under as much scrutiny.  

1)  Unexploded and exploded ordnance, including landmines, rockets and submunitions
2)   Pistols, revolvers, rifles and other concealable firearms include, but not limited to, short-barreled shotguns and short-barreled rifles
3)   ** Replica handguns with or without lighter fluid
4)   ** Antique firearms
5)  Knives with a blade that opens automatically by hand pressure applied to a button or other device in the handle, or by operations of inertia, gravity, or both, or with a detachable blade propelled by a spring-operated mechanism
6)  Ammunitions
7)  Shell Casings and magazines
8)  Drugs such as narcotic, hallucinogenic, stimulants or depressants
9)  Drug Paraphernalia
10)  Alcohol including intoxicating liquors having 0.5 percent or more
11)  Pirated (copied) DVD’s
12)  Food Product laced with alcohol such as candy, cookies and cakes
13)  Poisonous drugs and medicines, or materials that may kill or injure
14)  Matter that can deteriorate in the mail and lose value, create a health
      hazard or cause an obnoxious odor, nuisance, or disturbance under
      ordinary mailing conditions
15)  Pork and pork products
16)  Fruits and vegetables unless presented in dry condition
17)  Live birds, canaries, cockatiels, emus, finches, parakeets, and  parrots
18) Live warm-blooded animals such as cats or kittens, dogs or puppies,
      guinea pigs, hamsters, mice, rabbits, rats, and squirrels
19) Plant, plant product, or other article capable of carrying a dangerous
      plant disease or insect infestation
20) Fish or wildlife
21) Reptiles such as snakes, turtles and poisonous reptiles
22) Poisonous insects and spiders including camel spiders
23) Flammable and combustible liquids, gases, solids, and matches
24) Fireworks
25) Radioactive materials
26) Toxic substances including irritants
27) Corrosives
28) Explosives including explosive devices
29) Cigarette lighters
30) Dry ice
31) Oxidizing substances, and organic peroxides
32) Etiologic agents (clinical specimens unless mailed by medical facility)
33) Magnetized materials
34) Pesticides
35) Pandering advertisements
40) Sexually oriented advertisement (material)
41) Lewd or pornographic matter
42) Matter inviting violence
43) Matter promoting or furthing an animal-fighting venture
44) Government symbols including, but not limited to stickers
45) Sand and soil
46) Chemical warfare defense equipment (CWDE) such as A, B and C bags including all contents
47) War Trophies: Captured enemy weapons, Ammunition, Explosives, Military equipment such as vehicles, trailers, generators, radios, TA-50 and communication devices and chemical defense equipment


Of course the list is geared towards what we can't mail out, but techincally nothing on the list should be mailed in either.  

As of 0900 this date, weapons maintenance gear en route to some Recon Marines in Iraq.  Chairborne, thanks for your detailed reply and for your service.