Military Shipping Deadlines Approach

Friday Marks Recommended Deadline for Priority Mail Packages to Iraq/Afghanistan

FAYETTEVILLE, NC — If you want to send packages to Iraq or Afghanistan and get them there in time for Christmas, you have two more days before the recommended shipping deadline.

If you’re ordering certain products online, keep in mind that the USPS is the only shipping company that can send electronics, cameras, computers and food to APO/FPO addresses. You’ll need to have them delivered to your home address and take them to your local Post Office for mailing.

Other tips for mailing to our men and women overseas include: listing the Service Member’s name and address inside the package, in the event the outside of the box is unreadable; check the size and weight of your package to be sure it’s not more than 84 inches long or more than 70 pounds in weight.

Large Priority Mail Flat Rate Boxes offer the guarantee of correct sizing, along with a $2 discount for APO/FPO destinations.

Customers are reminded that mail addressed to military post offices overseas is subject to certain conditions or restrictions regarding content, preparation and handling. More information about mailing letters and packages to military destinations is available online at Support Our Troops. APO/FPO addresses generally require customs forms.

Not sure what gift to send to the troops? Consider sending a “taste of home.” Using recipes of common canned and dried foods found at the grocery store, customers can ship all the items needed to prepare a traditional holiday mail using a Priority Mail Flat Rate Box.

For recipe ideas, fact sheets and more, visit the Postal Service’s interactive Holiday Press Room at www.usps.com/communications/newsroom/2009/holiday/hpr.htm. Also see the Recipe Fact Sheet.

1/ 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.