anyone know if there's a way of sending stuff at least cheaper than it should be to British forces in Afghanistan? If under 2kg it's free from UK, wouldn't expect that here - UPS and some random Post Tel place said I'd have to pay full normal whack but someone I met briefly claims to have paid $12 for what should have been a $55 package.

Any ideas?

The only suggestions on the web are to pal up with US serviceman and post via their address ( apparently this is the preferred method for amazon) or to do it via the embassy. Otherwise it's the full whack and takes ages.

Although only a card, I sent a Birthday card to a BFPO address by adding 'England' at the bottom of the address. I was only charged the postage from USA to UK and my Brother received it no problem.

IMO anyone would be extremely stupid to receive parcels from strangers over the internet which are to go to Afghanistan.

I read it as the UK servicemen made friends with the US ones in their camp for parcels, but see what you mean. It was on one of the army forums.
http://www.arrse.co.uk/lamp-sandbag-...g-bfpo-us.html

You send the parcel to the BFPO address of the recipient and on the last line put United Kingdom. The parcel then goes obviously to the UK and the Royal Mail deliver it to the main BFPO at RAF Northolt. From there it goes on its way to the recipient.

If you just want to send a letter, send an e-bluey https://www.ebluey.com

Amazon.co.uk will deliver to BFPO address.

thanks, that's great. (obviously his address doesn't have afghanistan as part of it anyway so was wondering if the US postal service would send it to UK first regardless)

Updating with information received from BFPO HQ today.

With regards to sending parcels to Afghan from outside of the UK the
addressing format is as follows:

Name, Rank, Number
Unit/regt
OP Herrick
BFPO xxx
C/O BFPO HQ
United Kingdom