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USPS News: Press Releases
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press Release #097
November 20, 2001

DELIVERING YOUR HOLIDAY - ON TIME
The United States Postal Service guides consumers on timing for overseas delivery

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Have friends or loved ones overseas? Thinking about sending them a holiday card, letter or gift? You'll want to mail as early as possible to get it there on time. And with the holiday mailing season beginning the day after Thanksgiving, you'll want to visit the Postal Service's web site, www.usps.com, to help you with recommended mailing dates, packaging tips, rates, simplified customs forms and selecting the international service that's right for you.

And letters to the North Pole? They're considered domestic mail and require only a First-Class postage stamp.

When sending packages, whether within the United States or abroad, it's a good idea to place a card inside the box with the name and address of the recipient and a list of the contents. If outer wrapping is separated from the box, this will help keep it moving to the right address. And be sure to include a return address on all letters and packages, too.

Here are some key mailing dates for international and military mail:

International Mail To Air Letters/Cards Air Parcel Post
Africa December 3 December 3
Asia/Pacific Rim December 10 December 10
Australia/New Zealand December 10 December 10
Canada* December 14 December 14
Caribbean December 10 December 10
Central & South America December 3 December 3
Mexico December 10 December 10
Europe December 10 December 10
Middle East December 10 December 10

*Surface mail deadline is November 23

Military Mail Addressed To First Class Letters/Cards Priority Mail Parcel Airlift Mail PAL* Space Available Mail SAM**
APO/FPO AE ZIP's 090-098 December 11 December 11 December 4 November 27
APO/FPO AA ZIPs 340 December 11 December 11 December 4 November 27
APO/FPO AP ZIPs 962-966 December 11 December 11 December 4 November 27

*PAL: A special service that provides air transportation for parcels on a space-available basis.

**SAM: Parcels paid at Standard Mail postage rates are first transported domestically by surface and then to overseas destinations by air on a space-available basis.

In addition to letter mail and postcards, the Postal Service also offers these international service options:

  • Global Express Guaranteed is an expedited delivery service for both documents and merchandise through a business alliance between the U.S. Postal Service and DHL Worldwide Express Inc. Senders receive reliable, high-speed, time-definite service from designated U.S. ZIP Code areas to principal locations in more than 200 countries and territorial possessions. Service is guaranteed to meet specific delivery standards for the destination selected, or postage is refunded.
  • Global Express Mail™ provides reliable, high-speed delivery service for time-sensitive items to more than 175 countries and territorial possessions. It provides expeditious handling and delivery on an "on demand" or "as needed" basis. Shipments are insured up to $500 against loss, damage, or rifling - at no additional cost.
  • Global Priority is an accelerated airmail service that offers a reliable and economical way to send correspondence, business documents, printed matter, and light-weight merchandise to Canada, Mexico, and specified destination countries in Western Europe, the Caribbean, Central and South America, the Pacific Rim, the Middle East, and Africa. Senders can select the flat-rate postage option by using the standard Global Priority Mail envelope furnished by the Postal Service. Or they can choose the variable-weight postage option by placing a Postal Service-furnished Global Priority Mail sticker on their own envelope, box or other packaging. Global Priority Mail can be used for shipments weighing up to four pounds.
  • Registered Mail™: Registry service provides security and limited indemnity protection for airmail and economy (surface) letter-post items that are sent to all destination countries and territorial possessions, except for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea). The indemnity limit is $40.45 to all destination countries, except Canada, which has a $1,000 indemnity limit. Registry service is not available in combination with air parcel post service, economy (surface) parcel post service, or Global Express (EMS) service.
  • Parcel Post Insurance: Airmail and economy (surface) parcel post packages that are sent to many, but not all, destination countries can be insured against loss, damage, or rifling. Although the amount of indemnity protection varies by destination country, the maximum amount of insurance coverage that is available to any overseas location is $5,000.
  • Return Receipt: Senders can obtain confirmation of delivery by purchasing a return receipt service in combination with Registered Mail or insured parcels. A return receipt must be purchased at the time of mailing. There is a $1.50 fee for that special service.

    When mailing items overseas, it's always a good idea to check with the local post office about weight limits, size limits, content restrictions, and customs form requirements that may impact your holiday mailings.

    International Addressing Tips
  • Put foreign postal codes, if known, in front of the city or town name and on the same line.
  • Place the city or town name and the province or state name on the next line after the street address information.
  • Write the name of the foreign country in capital letters on the last line of the address.

    Packaging Tips
  • Select a box that is strong enough to protect the contents.
  • Leave space for cushioning inside the carton.
  • Cushion package contents with shredded or rolled newspaper, bubble wrap, or Styrofoam peanuts. Plain air-popped popcorn is also good for cushioning; it's inexpensive and environmentally friendly. Pack tightly to avoid shifting.
  • Always use tape that is designed for shipping, such as pressure-sensitive tape, nylon-reinforced kraft paper tape, or glass-reinforced pressure-sensitive tape.
  • Do not use wrapping paper, string, masking tape, or cellophane tape.
  • Put the delivery and return addresses on one side only of the package.
  • Suggestion: Place a return address label inside the package.
  • Stuff glass and fragile hollow items, like vases, with newspaper or packing material to avoid damage due to shock. When mailing framed photographs, take the glass out of the frame and wrap it separately.
  • Remove batteries from toys. Wrap and place them next to the toys in the mailing box.
  • Take packages that weigh at least 1 pound into the post office for mailing.
  • Obtain Express Mail and Priority Mail boxes, envelopes, and tubes for free from your post office.
  • Purchase packaging products, including tape, envelopes, padded bags, corrugated boxes, mailing tubes, and cushioning material, from your post office. Some locations offer decorative boxes and expander packs that are suitable for mailing gifts.

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