Postal Service announces holiday deadlines to mail to our U.S. troops stationed overseas

DENVER, CO — The Postal Service reminds everyone to get your holiday mail off as soon as possible for our U.S. military troops serving overseas. Below are the recommended mailing dates for delivery by Christmas to U.S. military overseas APO/FPO addresses.

The good news is that there is still plenty of time to mail overseas, but the dates to save money using the lowest postage rates are drawing near.

Using regular First Class and Priority Mail, holiday mail sent to our U.S. troops stationed at AFO/FPO addresses in Iraq and Afghanistan should be sent by Dec. 4.

Most holiday mail should be sent to other military overseas APO/FPO locations by Dec. 11 for arrival by Christmas. Express Mail delivery will still be available for delivery by Christmas to most overseas military locations if you mail by December 18.

All packages and mail must be addressed to individual service members by name, in accordance with U.S. Dept. of Defense regulations. All military overseas units are assigned an APO or FPO ZIP Code and, in many cases, that ZIP Code travels with the unit.

As for holiday deadlines within the U.S. by regular mail, send holiday cards, letters and packages going to U.S. destinations by December 20 for delivery by Christmas. For holiday mail going to other international countries, the general deadline is Dec. 11 except for Africa and Central/South America which is Dec. 4. Express Mail to U.S. and international destinations is also available after these dates for delivery by Christmas.

See below for 2007 overseas military holiday mailing deadlines, packaging and mailing tips. For more information, visit your local Post Office, go to usps.com or call 1-800-ASK-USPS.

2007 OVERSEAS MILITARY MAILING DEADLINES

Military Overseas Mailing and Packaging Tips

• To save time and convenience, you can mail your packages from your home or business using Click-N-Ship with FREE package pickup. All you need is a computer with internet access and a printer, a weight scale and a credit card. Prepare your packages and then go to usps.com.
• If you use a regular box, use one strong enough to protect the package 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 the complete military service member’s name, unit, and APO/FPO delivery address, and your return 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/appliances. Wrap and place them next to the items inside.
• Purchase insurance and delivery confirmation service for reassurance of package delivery.
• All mail addressed to military post offices overseas is subject to certain conditions or restrictions regarding content, preparation and handling. APO/FPO addresses generally require customs forms. To see a table of active APO and FPO addresses and mailing restrictions by individual APO/FPO ZIP Codes, go to pe.usps.com and click “Postal Bulletins.” Go to the current issue and see the heading “Overseas Military Mail.”
• Purchase packaging products, including tape, envelopes, padded bags, corrugated boxes, and cushioning material from your Post Office. Some locations offer decorative boxes for mailing gifts.
• Call 1-800-ASK-USPS or access usps.com to obtain all kinds of holiday mailing information.