Packing list for deployment
Remember that everything you bring, you carry yourself – up gangways, across dockyards, through airports. The rule is simple, if in doubt, leave it out! You can send items to yourself via BFPO once you’re onboard, and basic toiletries and essentials are available in most port stops.
Your Royal Navy bag should ideally be black or navy blue, robust enough to withstand rough handling, and manageable solo. A wheeled bag or a good-quality holdall works better than a rigid suitcase on most gangways.
Short deployment packing list (under 3 months)
For detachments and shorter tours, space efficiency is a necessity. Focus on essentials and keep civilian clothing minimal to limit how much you need to bring.
Documents and admin
- Military ID
- Passport (even if not required, it’s recommended to always carry it)
- Personal medication in clearly labelled containers, with enough supply to cover the deployment plus a buffer (any prescription medication should be declared and carried in accordance with medical guidance, with sufficient supply for the deployment)
- Emergency contact details and next-of-kin information
Uniform and issued kit
- As specified in your joining instructions, don’t bring uniform you’ve been told you won’t need onboard
- A small sewing kit and neutral thread for repairs
- Boot polish and brushes
Civilian clothing
- Around 3–5 days of civilian clothes for port stops and downtime (t-shirts, shorts or lightweight trousers, comfortable footwear). Storage space onboard is limited, and many personnel find they need less civilian clothing than expected.
- Flip flops for the shower
- One smart-casual outfit and shoes for port visits
- A lightweight waterproof jacket
Toiletries and health
- Toiletry kit (toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, razor, moisturiser)
- Sun cream – SPF 50 minimum, especially for warmer theatres
- Any prescription medication with a full deployment’s supply
- Small first aid kit: paracetamol, antihistamines, plasters, rehydration sachets
- Ear plugs or a sleep mask as sleep quality can be an issue – noise, light levels, and shift patterns all disrupt sleep.
Electronics
- Smartphone and charger
- Universal plug adaptor
- Portable power bank
- Headphones or earbuds (essential for downtime in shared spaces)
- Laptop or tablet for entertainment and keeping in touch with home
Comfort and morale
- A physical book or e-reader
- Cards or a small travel game for deck downtime
- Photos of family or friends (in a protective wallet or case)
Long deployment packing list (3–9 months)
For a longer operational tour, you’ll want to think beyond the basics. Space is still at a premium, but morale and mental wellbeing become more significant factors over time.
Everything in the essential short deployment list applies, plus you may want to consider:
Additional clothing
- Extra civilian clothing for port visits
- Thermal underlayer if operating in colder climates
- Good-quality running trainers for PT and recreational exercise
Electronics and entertainment
- An external hard drive loaded with films, series, music, and games
- Streaming content downloaded in advance (Netflix, Spotify etc.) for periods with limited WiFi connectivity
Health and wellbeing
- A wider personal pharmacy including electrolytes, vitamins, other basic over-the-counter essentials appropriate for your needs
- A decent set of resistance bands or portable fitness equipment if your ship’s gym provision is limited
- A journal or notebook as longer deployments give you time to reflect, and many personnel find it valuable
Admin and finances
- Notify your bank before deploying to avoid transactions being blocked abroad
- Set up direct debits for any bills or commitments at home
- Ensure someone at home has access to any accounts they may need to manage in your absence
What not to bring for deployment
See below for what we wouldn’t recommend bringing with you during your deployment.
Don’t bring uniform you won’t need onboard. First timers often overpack on this – check your joining instructions carefully and stick to what’s specified.
Avoid fragile or sentimental items. Storage onboard is a small locker and a drawer. Items can shift, get wet, or go missing in shared spaces, and there’s no safe place to keep anything irreplaceable.
Leave expensive items such as jewellery at home. Port stops involve busy public spaces, and theft is a real risk. If it can’t be replaced easily, it shouldn’t be in your bag.
Don’t pack items you can easily buy in port. Basic toiletries, snacks, and sundries are available at most stops. Packing them wastes space you’ll wish you had by week two.
Sending parcels to Royal Navy
If someone you love is deploying with the Royal Navy, sending a care package via the British Forces Post Office (BFPO) system is one of the most practical ways to show your support.
If sent at a Post Office, the maximum your parcel can weigh is usually 20kg and could include:
- Favourite snacks and confectionery (avoid anything that melts or is perishable)
- Toiletries – travel-sized items are ideal
- Books, magazines, or puzzle books
- Playing cards or small travel games
- A handwritten letter or printed photos
- Practical extras: lip balm, sun cream, paracetamol
Items to avoid: Alcohol, aerosols, lithium batteries as standalone items, and anything fragile or perishable.
BFPO deliveries typically take 7–14 days but allow up to six weeks to be safe, particularly for remote or operational locations. Royal Navy personnel on active duty may also be onboard a ship that isn’t able to receive mail until it docks, which means there can be a significant delay before any parcel is received.
How to protect your kit and belongings
The kit you’re bringing with you, and the possessions you’re leaving behind, need protecting for the duration you’re away.
Many standard contents and home insurance policies have exclusions, limits, or conditions that may affect cover while serving overseas or on deployment. That means your laptop, your phone, your personal kit, and your belongings back home could all be underinsured at exactly the moment you need cover most.
Trinity’s military kit insurance is designed specifically for Royal Navy personnel, covering your personal kit and possessions whether you’re onboard, in port, or back at your base. Standard policies often won’t cover kit lost overboard, damaged at sea, or stolen during a port stop – Trinity’s cover is built around exactly those risks.
Frequently asked questions about packing for Royal Navy deployment
How much luggage can I take on a Royal Navy deployment?
There is no single fixed baggage allowance – it depends on your ship, your joining instructions, and how you’re travelling to join the vessel. The more practical rule is that you should be able to carry everything yourself, unassisted, through airports, dockyards, and up gangways.
Can I receive parcels onboard a Royal Navy ship?
Yes, you can receive parcels onboard a Royal Navy ship via the BFPO service, which enables letters and parcels to be sent to serving armed forces personnel and their families overseas.
When ordering items from online retailers, packages must weigh less than 30kg and have a length, depth and width adding up to less than 2 metres. However, note that not all UK online retailers are able to send items to a BFPO address, so you will need to check with the retailer before placing an order.
Do I need to complete a customs declaration for BFPO parcels?
Yes, all BFPO mail requires a customs declaration, and no destinations are exempt. All parcels to BFPO destinations must have a signed customs declaration attached to the outside of the parcel and failure to include a valid declaration can result in delays, additional charges, or the parcel being returned.
What should I leave at home when deploying with the Royal Navy?
As a rule, leave anything fragile, sentimental, or expensive and skip anything you can easily buy in port. Space onboard is limited – a small locker and a drawer is most common, so every item needs to earn its place.