Home > About USPS & News > Forms & Publications > Postal Periodicals & Publications > MailPro > Sept./Oct. 2009

MailPro
News for Mailing Professionals

FYI

The Domestic Mail Manual is fully searchable on Postal Explorer and features fly-out menus, cross-reference links and an extensive subject index.

2009 HOLIDAY SHIPPING DATES

To ensure delivery of holiday cards and packages by Dec. 25 to military APO/FPO destination addresses and to international addresses, the Postal Service suggests that mail be entered by the recommended mailing dates listed below.

Remember, all mail addressed to military Post Offices overseas is subject to certain conditions or restrictions regarding content, preparation and handling. APO and FPO destination addresses require customs forms. To see a table of active APO and FPO destinations and mailing restrictions by individual APO/FPO ZIP Codes, go to pe.usps.com and click Postal Bulletins in the blue navigation bar. Go to the current issue and see the article “Overseas Military Mail.”

Military Mail Addressed to:

Express Mail Military Service (EMMS) 1

First-Class Mail

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 is available to select military Post Offices. Check with your local Post Office to determine if this service is available to an APO/FPO address.
2 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 and 60 inches in length and girth combined. The applicable PAL fee must be paid in addition to the regular surface price of postage for each addressed piece sent by PAL service.
3 SAM parcels are paid at Parcel Post prices 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.

International Mail Addressed to:

Global Express Guaranteed (GXG)4***

Express Mail International (EMS)5*

Priority Mail International (PMI)6*

First-Class Mail International

Africa

Dec.18

Dec.12

Dec. 4

Dec. 4

Asia/Pacific Rim

Dec.18

Dec.17

Dec.11

Dec.11

Australia/New Zealand

Dec.18

Dec.17

Dec.11

Dec.11

Canada

Dec. 22

Dec.18

Dec.14

Dec.11

Caribbean

Dec. 21

Dec.17

Dec.14

Dec.11

Central and South America

Dec. 21

Dec.12

Dec. 4

Dec. 4

Mexico

Dec. 22

Dec.17

Dec.11

Dec.11

Europe

Dec. 21

Dec.17

Dec.14

Dec.11

Middle East

Dec.18

Dec.17

Dec.14

Dec.11

***GXG Notes: 1) Cutoff dates do not take into account the time needed for customs clearance. 2) Allocate extra transit day(s) for delivery outside of major cities. 3) Last day to ship to Afghanistan is Dec.18.

4 GXG is available to more than 190 countries through an alliance with FedEx 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 Notice 123 – Price List, then Country Price Groups. Some restrictions apply. Free shipping supplies are available. Purchase postage online and receive a 10 percent reduction.

5 EMS is available to more than 190 countries with delivery in three to five average business days. Guaranteed, money-back service is available to Australia, China, Great Britain, Northern Ireland, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea and Spain. Flat-rate shipping options and free packaging are available. Purchase postage online and receive an 8 percent reduction.

6 PMI is available to more than 190 countries with delivery in six to 10 average business days. Flat-rate shipping options and free packaging are available. Purchase postage online and receive a 5 percent reduction.

*Average number of days may vary based on origin and destination.

To ensure delivery of holiday cards and packages to domestic addresses (except APO and FPO destinations) by Dec. 25, we suggest mailing no later than Dec. 21 for First-Class Mail and Priority Mail, and Dec. 23 for Express Mail.

The Priority Mail Large Flat Rate Box shipped to an APO/FPO/DPO destination address receives $2 off the regular price. Either version of the Priority Mail Large Flat Rate Box (with or without the “America Supports You” logo) receives the reduced price at retail or online.
Previous Next