Boise, ID—Nov. 13 was the last day to send packages by Parcel Post (surface mail) to overseas military addresses for delivery before Christmas Day, Dec. 25.
But there are other alternatives and the good news is that there is still plenty of time to get your holiday package to its destination.
Not sure where to start? The Boise Post Office at 770 S 13th St will be hosting an Informational Military Shipping Day on Monday Nov. 17th from 8:30am to 2:00pm. The Overland Station at Targee will host the same event on Thursday Nov. 20th from 10:00am to 2:00pm.
Some military mail gets a discount. Mail sent to overseas military addresses is charged domestic mail prices. The domestic mail price for the largest Priority Mail Flat Rate Box is $12.95. But for packages to APO/FPO addresses overseas, USPS has reduced the price to $10.95.
Military Care Kits are available at no charge for military members and their families to help send packages overseas. Customers can order the mailing kits by phone at 800-610-8734. Each kit includes two Priority Mail boxes, six Priority Mail Flat Rate Boxes, eight Priority Mail labels, one roll of Priority Mail tape and eight customs forms with envelopes.
Military mail often has special requirements on content, preparation and addressing. For packaging tips, mailing restrictions and packaging tips and other ways to support our troops, go to Support Our Troops at http://www.usps.com/supportingourtroops/welcome.htm.
APO/FPO addresses generally require customs forms. Customs forms can be printed online using Click-N-Ship service for most APO/FPO addresses at www.usps.com/clicknship
To ensure delivery of holiday cards and packages by Dec. 25 to military APO/FPO addresses overseas, the Postal Service recommends that mail for service members be entered no later than the mailing dates listed below, or the entire list can be found at: http://www.usps.com/holiday/shippingcalendar.htm.
|
Military Mail Addressed To |
Express Mail® Military Service (EMMS)1/ |
First-Class Mail® |
Priority Mail® |
Parcel Airlift Mail |
Space Available Mail |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
APO/FPO AE ZIPs 090-092 |
Dec 18 |
Dec 11 |
Dec 11 |
Dec 4 |
Nov 28 |
APO/FPO AE ZIP 093 |
N/A |
Dec 4 |
Dec 4 |
Dec 1 |
Nov 21 |
APO/FPO AE ZIPs 094-098 |
Dec 18 |
Dec 11 |
Dec 11 |
Dec 4 |
Nov 28 |
APO/FPO AA ZIPs 340 |
Dec 18 |
Dec 11 |
Dec 11 |
Dec 4 |
Nov 28 |
APO/FPO AP ZIPs 962-966 |
Dec 18 |
Dec 11 |
Dec 11 |
Dec 4 |
Nov 28 |
1/ EMMS: Express Mail Military Service is available to selected military post offices. Check with your local Post Office to determine if this service is available to your APO/FPO of address.
2/ PAL: 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.
3/ SAM: SAM parcels are paid at the Parcel Post postage rate with maximum weight and size limits of 15 pounds and 60 inches in length and girth combined. SAM parcels are first transported domestically by surface and then to overseas destinations by air on a space-available basis.
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” in the left column. Select the current issue and look for the heading “Overseas Military Mail.”
For more information, customers may visit usps.com.
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Please Note: For broadcast quality video and audio, photo stills and other media resources, visit the USPS Newsroom at www.usps.com/communications/newsroom/welcome.htm.