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Anyone—a donor, volunteer, or family member—can send aid to the military by mail. The main thing is to do so in a way that ensures the package arrives without any legal issues. The key distinction is simple: different rules apply to shipments within Ukraine and to international shipments. It’s also important to know what items are prohibited in a package, how to pack and address it, and what the sender is responsible for. Below are the practical guidelines as of July 2026.
What can and cannot be sent to military personnel by mail?
The list of items prohibited from being sent to military personnel via mail is established by Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No. 958 (current version dated September 12, 2024). The operators—Ukrposhta and Nova Poshta—simply apply this list; they do not create their own.
For domestic shipments within Ukraine, the following items are prohibited from being included in a package:
| Category | Examples |
|---|---|
| Weapons and Ammunition | Firearms and their parts, bladed weapons, ammunition, and explosive devices |
| Explosives and flammable substances | Explosive substances and devices, flammable substances |
| Hazardous substances | Toxic, radioactive, mercury, acids, poisonous, and corrosive substances |
| Narcotics | narcotics, psychotropic substances, precursors |
| Currency | domestic and foreign currency (except for NBU numismatic items) |
| Special equipment | technical devices for covert information gathering |
| Other | Alcohol over 8.5%, tobacco, and e-cigarette liquids without excise tax, expired food, and biological agents |
Can power banks, charging stations, and lithium batteries be shipped?
This is the most frequently asked question, as charging stations and power banks are among the frontline’s key needs. The answer depends on the destination.
For domestic shipments, Ukrposhta’s Packaging Regulations allow the shipment of new acid-free batteries and chargers for military personnel under the following conditions: original factory packaging, terminals covered with caps, and secure fastening. Items filled with fuel or lubricants are not accepted.
| Destination | Lithium batteries, power banks, chargers |
|---|---|
| Within Ukraine (domestic) | Accepted: new, acid-free, in original packaging; items filled with fuel—not accepted |
| International shipments | Prohibited; exception: by land to Poland, Moldova, Slovakia, and Hungary |
How do I properly pack and prepare a package?
Proper packaging protects the contents and prevents unnecessary questions at the post office. The general process is simple: choose the packaging, secure the contents, prepare a description for valuable items, check the weight—and you’re ready to take it to the post office.
Choose sturdy packaging
A factory box made of five-layer corrugated cardboard, free of tears, holes, and grease stains. Pad fragile items with cushioning material.
Secure the contents
For batteries and chargers—ensure the terminals are covered with plastic caps, then wrap the box tightly with three layers of stretch film.
Complete the packing list (Form 107)
For valuable shipments and shipments with declared value, fill out the description in duplicate: one copy goes with the package, and the other remains with you as proof of contents.
Check the weight and dimensions
A standard package weighs up to 30 kg; check the exact dimensions and format at the post office or via the carrier’s app.
How do you address a shipment to a soldier on the front lines?
You cannot address a package to a soldier “on the front lines”—this is a standard security restriction. In practice, the following options are available:
- To the military unit number (Military Unit A____)—the recipient provides the exact address format;
- Field mail—an official channel; the postal code or number is provided by the service member or unit and is not publicly available;
- Nova Poshta or Ukrposhta—to a branch or address as agreed upon with the recipient.
What postal benefits are available to military personnel?
This benefit is specifically intended for military personnel—it is arranged by the recipient or the military sender themselves through the app.
| Carrier | Terms for military personnel |
|---|---|
| Nova Poshta × “Army+” | Up to 30 kg for 1 ₴ in 6 frontline regions; up to 3 barcodes per month, each valid for 7 days |
| Ukrposhta × “Army+” | “Priority” rate for 1 ₴ to and from frontline regions; 25% discount on other shipments up to 30 kg |
Frontline regions covered by the program: Sumy, Kharkiv, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, and Dnipropetrovsk.
What is the sender responsible for, and what are the risks involved?
This isn’t about intimidation, but about being honest—"know what you’re signing for." The basic rule: responsibility for the contents of a sealed package lies with the sender, and the carrier may ask to see the contents openly.
| Regulation | Reason | Consequence |
|---|---|---|
| Regulation No. 270, para. 24 | Prohibited contents in a sealed package | Liability of the sender |
| Article 201 of the Criminal Code | Smuggling of weapons, cultural property, explosives, and special equipment | Imprisonment for 3–7 years (Part 2: 5–12 years + confiscation of property) |
| Criminal Code, Article 333 | Violation of procedures for international transfers of goods subject to export controls | a fine of 2,000–5,000 non-taxable minimum incomes or restriction of liberty or imprisonment for up to 3 years |
| Article 472 of the Customs Code | Failure to declare commercial goods at customs | A fine of 50–100% of the value, with or without confiscation |
That is precisely why it is safer to have a foundation handle complex or controlled shipments; the foundation verifies the request from the relevant agency and provides the necessary documentation for the transfer.
When is it easier and safer to ship through the foundation?
The postal service works well for small-scale aid, but it cannot meet all needs. This is where the foundation helps:
- dual-use equipment (thermal imagers, sights, night-vision devices, drones, communication devices)—postal operators do not accept these, but the foundation transports them under a formal receipt;
- charging stations and large, heavy cargo that is inconvenient or expensive to send via parcel;
- humanitarian aid requiring customs clearance—processed under the declaration-based procedure for charitable organizations.
The foundation documents the transfer of goods to the unit and publishes a report after collection. The donor assumes neither the risk of prohibition nor the hassle of dealing with customs.
- CMU Resolution No. 958—List of Prohibited Items (zakon.rada.gov.ua)
- Rules for the Provision of Postal Services, CMU Resolution No. 270 (para. 24, para. 47)
- Criminal Code of Ukraine, Articles 201 and 333
- Customs Code of Ukraine, Art. 472—Failure to Declare Goods
- Ukrposhta: Items Prohibited from Shipment
- Ukrposhta: Packaging Requirements for Mail Items
- Ukrposhta e-export: Lithium Batteries in International Shipments
- Nova Poshta × “Army+”: Terms and Conditions for Military Personnel
This material is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Postal regulations and laws are subject to change—please verify the current requirements on official websites (ukrposhta.ua, novaposhta.ua, zakon.rada.gov.ua) as of the date of shipment.
FAQ
Can I send a power bank via Nova Poshta within Ukraine?
Can I send an EcoFlow power station via military mail?
Will the package be delivered directly to the front lines?
How can a member of the military receive a package for 1 hryvnia?
Who is responsible if a prohibited item is found in a package?
Can I send a thermal imager or a scope by mail?
What is an attachment description (Form 107), and when is it required?
What is the maximum weight for a preferential shipment for military personnel?
Can I send cash or foreign currency by mail?
Can I send a gas cylinder or fuel by mail?
What are the risks for the sender if they incorrectly describe the contents?
When is it better to ship a package through a foundation rather than by mail?
Поточні відкриті збори
Внесок на будь-який відкритий збір фонду спрямовується на конкретну потребу — зі звітом після передачі.
Підтримати підрозділи через фонд - БО БФ «Міжнародний Рух Єдності», ЄДРПОУ 44797809. Документи для податкової знижки надаємо за запитом.
When It’s Safer to Donate Through the Foundation
The mail service works well for small donations. It is safer to entrust dual-use equipment, charging stations, and large shipments to the foundation: it formalizes the transfer with a transfer and acceptance certificate and provides a report afterward.
Deliver aid to units through the foundation → Charitable Organization “International Movement of Unity” Foundation, EDRPOU 44797809.
