Bringing the Holidays to Military Men and Women
Recommended Mailing Dates to APO/FPO Addresses
WICHITA, Kan.—For military service members stationed around the globe, holiday gifts are a big morale boost. To help the families and friends of U.S. military personnel, the Postal Service offers a discount on its largest Priority Mail Flat Rate box.
The recommended mailing date for the most economical postage to overseas military installations, including Iraq and Afghanistan, is Nov. 13. Mail sent to overseas military addresses is charged only domestic mail prices. The domestic mail price for the Priority Mail Large Flat Rate Box is $13.95, but for packages to APO/FPO addresses overseas the price is reduced to $11.95. Additional discounts are available for customers printing their Priority Mail postage labels online at usps.com/clicknship. Flat-Rate boxes are free at any Post Office, or can be ordered online at shop.usps.com.
The USPS continues to show support to those serving in the armed forces by offering free Military Care Kits, designed specifically for military families sending packages overseas. The mailing kits can be ordered by phone by calling 1-800-610-8734 and asking for the 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, one roll of Priority Mail tape and six customs forms with envelopes. More information about mailing to military destinations is available online at usps.com/SupportingOurTroops.
“Mailing holiday gifts to service members early will help ensure that a piece of home arrives in plenty of time to make the celebration complete," said Wichita Postmaster Mark Talbott.
To ensure delivery of holiday cards and packages by Dec. 25 to military APO/FPO addresses overseas, the USPS recommends that mail for service members be entered no later than the mailing dates listed below. 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 updated APO and FPO addresses and mailing restrictions by individual APO/FPO ZIP Codes, go to pe.usps.com select “Pull-Out Information” and click on “Overseas Military/Diplomatic Mail.”
MILITARY MAILING DEADLINES
| Military Mail Addressed To | Express Mail® Military Service (EMMS)1/ | First-Class Mail® Letters and Cards | Priority Mail® | Parcel Airlift Mail (PAL) 2/ | Space Available Mail (SAM)3/ | Parcel Post® |
| APO/FPO AE ZIPs 090-092 | Dec-18 | Dec-11 | Dec-11 | Dec-4 | Nov-28 | Nov-13 |
| APO/FPO AE ZIP 093 | N/A | Dec-4 | Dec-4 | Dec-1 | Nov-21 | Nov-13 |
| APO/FPO AE ZIPs 094-098 | Dec-18 | Dec-11 | Dec-11 | Dec-4 | Nov-28 | Nov-13 |
| APO/FPO AA ZIP 340 | Dec-18 | Dec-11 | Dec-11 | Dec-4 | Nov-28 | Nov-13 |
| APO/FPO AP ZIPs 962-966 | Dec-18 | Dec-11 | Dec-11 | Dec-4 | Nov-28 | Nov-13 |
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.
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