2007 International and Military Mail Christmas Mailing Dates

Tulsa OK — The U. S. Postal Service reminds families and friends sending holiday packages and letters to service men and women overseas that the first mailing deadline is weeks away for letters and packages to arrive before Christmas.

Monday, Nov.13, is the deadline for sending holiday packages to troops stationed overseas using Parcel Post to all Air/Army Post Office (APO) or Fleet Post Office (FPO) ZIP Codes.

“The U.S. Postal Service is encouraging early deadlines,” said Tulsa Postmaster Kathy Ervin-Johnson, “to ensure packages reach their destination in time for the holidays.”

One way Tulsans can confirm delivery is by using Delivery Confirmation, available for almost all military destinations outside the United States.  Delivery Confirmation provides customers with the date, ZIP Code and time the package was delivered.  This information can be accessed online at www.usps.com.

“Mail is one of the greatest morale boosters we can give our soldiers, sailors, Marines, airmen and Coast Guardsmen during the holidays.” said Ervin-Johnson.  “When they see packages or letters waiting for them it brings them that much closer to family and the comforts of home.”

The U.S. Postal Service has also introduced a Military Care Kit, or “Mili-kit” to make it easier for military families and friends to send care packages to their loved ones stationed overseas.  Since the inception of the Military Care Kit, the U.S. Postal Service has shipped more than 150,000 kits.  Each kit contains three flat rate boxes, two cube boxes, nine address labels, and 16 customs forms.  This kit may be ordered by calling the USPS Expedited Package Supply Center at 1-800-610-8734.  There is no charge for the kit.

The Priority Mail Flat Rate boxes included in the kit can be shipped to any APO/FPO in the world, regardless of weight, for $8.95.

All packages and mail must be addressed to individual service members, as required by U.S. Department of Defense regulations.

The Postal Service places APO/FPO mail on special charter flights, commercial airlines and military service aircraft to reach armed services members overseas as quickly as possible.

Listed below are the major dates recommended for mail to be delivered by Dec. 25.

“We hope the publication of these dates will prove beneficial to persons mailing cards and gifts to foreign countries so they will arrive in a timely manner,” Ervin-Johnson says.

She said the Postal Service’s website www.usps.com can prove to be a helpful resource during this holiday mailing season, offering a wide variety of links to mailing and shipping tools.

To ensure delivery of holiday cards and packages by December 25 to military APO/FPO addresses overseas, we suggest mailing by the recommended dates shown below.

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.”

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 Parcel Post postage rate of postage 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.

4/ GXG is available to over 190 countries via an alliance with Federal Express. See a retail associate at participating locations for a complete list of countries and money-back guarantee details, or go to pe.usps.com, and click "International Rates and Fees," then "Country Listing." You can also see the March/April 2007 issue of MailPro. Some restrictions apply. Free shipping supplies are available.
Purchase postage online and receive 10% discount

5/ EMS is available to over 190 countries with delivery in 3 to 5 average business days. Guaranteed, money-back service is available to Australia, China, Hong Kong, Japan and Korea (Republic of South). Flat rate shipping options and free packaging are available
Purchase postage online and receive an 8% discount

6/ Priority Mail International is available to over 190 countries with delivery in 6-10 average business days. Flat rate shipping options and free packaging are available. Purchase postage online and receive a 5% discount

*Average number of days may vary based upon origin and destination