Blue Star Mothers to demonstrate Military Mailing Tips at Spartanburg Post Office

Public reminded to ‘mail early’ as APO/FPO holiday mailing deadlines approach

In order to help the families and friends of military personnel this holiday season, the Postal Service is reminding customers about deadlines and efficient ways to mail packages overseas.  As a way to spread the word, President Bethany Brown and Spartanburg Chapter 124 of the Blue Star Mothers of America will visit the Spartanburg Post Office, 250 S. Church St. at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, October 21, to demonstrate Military Mailing Tips for the holidays.

Postmaster Dave Becker and Spartanburg’s Retail Associates will present the group with the free packaging supplies found in the Military Care Package Kit, and the group will pack a care package for a service member using recommended items and discuss addressing, mailing restrictions and customs forms.

The U. S. Postal Service is the only carrier that handles mail for over 3,000 APO and FPO addresses, worldwide, in partnership with the Military Postal Service Agency.  Deadlines for certain classes of mail are less than a month away.

Mail sent to overseas military addresses is charged domestic mail prices. The domestic mail price for the largest Flat-Rate Priority Mail box is $12.95. But for packages to APO/FPO addresses overseas, USPS has reduced the price to $10.95.

“The Blue Star Mothers use the Flat-Rate Priority Mail boxes, because they offer the best bargain in holiday shipping,” Becker said. “The contents can be any weight for one low rate. If it fits, it ships.”

The free Military Care Kits, designed specifically for military families sending packages overseas, can be ordered 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.

Mail addressed to military Post Offices overseas is subject to certain conditions or restrictions regarding content, preparation and handling. In addition, APO/FPO addresses generally require customs forms. Click here to see a table of active APO and FPO addresses and mailing restrictions by individual APO/FPO ZIP Codes.

The complete list of military mailing deadlines is:

“Let the U.S. Postal Service do what we do best — pick up and deliver your mail,” said Becker. “Prepare Priority Mail and Express Mail packages and then notify us online at www.usps.com/pickup that they’re ready to be picked up. Free package pickup is available from home or office.”