Postal Service Announces Holiday Mailing Guidelines

I know a lot of readers to this blog have military ties and some of those ties extend to members based overseas. As a service for them the following is posted to this blog.

By Air Force Tech. Sgt. John Jung, Special to American Forces Press Service

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan - U.S. Postal Service officials have announced recommended mailing dates for delivery by Christmas to U.S. servicemembers serving in Afghanistan and other overseas locations.

First-class and priority mail for servicemembers stationed in Afghanistan should be sent by Dec. 4 for arrival by Christmas. The deadline for parcel airlift mail is Dec. 1, and space-available mail bound for Afghanistan should be sent by Nov. 21.

Officials recommend that parcel post mail to all military overseas locations should be sent by Nov. 13.

A chart with recommended mailing deadlines for all types of mail to various APO and FPO addresses is available at the Postal Service's Web site at http://www.usps.com/communications/newsroom/2009/pr09_082.htm.

Express mail cannot be used to mail packages to Afghanistan; however priority mail is available.

Priority mail packaging products, including priority mail flat-rate boxes, can be obtained free at any post office, or online at http://shop.usps.com. The priority mail large flat-rate box can be used to mail to any overseas military address, no matter the weight of the box, for $11.95.

The Postal Service offers free military care kits, designed for military families sending packages overseas. To order by phone, call 800-610-8734 and ask for the military care kit. Each kit includes two "America Supports You" large priority mail flat-rate boxes, four medium-sized priority mail flat-rate boxes, six priority mail labels, a roll of priority mail tape and six customs forms with envelopes.

"All packages and mail must be addressed to the individual servicemember by name, without rank, in accordance with Department of Defense regulations," said Air Force Master Sgt. Deb LaGrandQuintana, the 455th Expeditionary Communications Squadron official mail manager here.

Military overseas units are assigned an APO or FPO ZIP code, and in many cases, that ZIP code travels with the unit wherever it goes, LaGrandQuintana added.

The Postal Service places APO and FPO mail to overseas military servicemembers on special transportation destined to be delivered as soon as possible.

Mail sent APO and FPO addresses may require customs forms. All mail addressed to military post offices overseas is subject to certain conditions or restrictions regarding content, preparation and handling. For general guidelines on sending mail to servicemembers overseas, visit http://www.usps.com/supportingourtroops/.

Postal Service officials recommend taking the following measures when sending packages:

-- If you use a regular box, use one strong enough to protect the contents with no writing on the outside.

-- Cushion contents with newspaper, bubble wrap, or Styrofoam. Pack tightly to avoid shifting.

-- Package food items like cookies, fudge, candies, etc. securely in leak-proof containers.

-- Use pressure-sensitive or nylon-reinforced packing tape.

-- Do not use wrapping paper, string, masking tape, or cellophane tape outside the package.

-- Print your return address and the servicemember's complete name, without rank, followed by unit and APO or FPO delivery address on one side only of the package.

-- Place a return address label inside the package.

-- Stuff fragile items with newspaper or packing material to avoid damage.

-- Remove batteries from toys and appliances. Wrap and place them next to the items inside.

-- Purchase insurance and delivery confirmation service for reassurance of package delivery.

Holiday Mail Deadlines

The holiday season is fast approaching and it's not too late to get gifts in the mail for troops serving overseas. Don't forget your deployed serviceman or women during the upcoming holiday season. Mail early and mail often!

NAVSUP Announces 2007 Holiday Season Mailing Dates

For all my military friends and thir families, don't forget to remember your soldier, salior, marine or airmen this holiday season. Our hearts and prayers go out to each and everyone of them.

The Naval Supply Systems Command's (NAVSUP) Postal Policy Division recommends mailing 2007 holiday cards, letters, and packages early to ensure delivery by Dec. 25.

Suggested mailing dates for military mail addressed "to" APO/FPO addresses [APO/FPO AE zip codes 090-098 (except 093); AA zip codes 340; AP zip codes 962-966]:
Express Mail Military Service (EMMS): Dec. 18
First-class and priority mail, letters, cards: Dec. 11
Parcel Airlift Mail (PAL): Dec. 4
Space Available Mail (SAM): Nov. 27
Parcel Post: Nov. 13

Suggested mailing dates for military mail addressed "to" APO/FPO AE zip codes 093:
First-class and priority mail, letters, cards: Dec. 4
PAL: Dec. 1
SAM: Nov. 27
Parcel Post: Nov. 13

Suggested mailing dates for military mail "from" APO and FPO addresses:
EMMS: Dec. 18
First-class and priority mail, letters, cards: Dec. 11
PAL: Dec. 4
SAM: Nov. 27

EMMS is available from selected military post offices. If mailing to an APO/FPO address check with your local post office to determine if this service is available.

PAL is a service that provides air transportation for parcels on a space available basis. It is available for parcel post items not exceeding 30 pounds in weight or 60 inches in length and girth combined. The applicable PAL fee must be paid in addition to the regular surface rate of postage for each addressed piece sent by PAL service.

SAM refers to parcels mailed to APO/FPO addresses at parcel post rates that are first transported domestically by surface and then to overseas destinations by air on a space available basis. The maximum weight and size limits are 15 pounds and 60 inches in length and girth combined. From overseas locations, items mailed at parcel post rates are sent to CONUS by air on a space available basis. The maximum weight and size limit are 70 pounds and 130 inches in length and girth combined.

It is also recommended that customers check with their local civilian or military post office for information on size restrictions and possible need for customs declaration forms.

Additionally, customers are advised that certain mail restrictions apply and some items are non-mailable. Examples are: switchblade knives, pornography, controlled substances, and explosive or incendiary devices. If in doubt as to what can or cannot be sent through the mail, contact your local post office or military post office.

Customers are cautioned that packages must not be mailed in boxes that have markings related to any type of hazardous material, such as bleach, alcohol, or cleaning fluids. Parcels found by the U.S. Postal Service with such markings or labels on the outside of the box will not be processed. Instead, they will be handled as "non-mailable matter," regardless of the contents or what is listed on the U.S. Customs form.