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Postal News
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 21, 2002
Contact: (202) 268-2155
Release No. 02-078
Postal Service Recommends Mailing By November 1 To Make Overseas Delivery By December 25
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Postal Service unveiled today its 2002 Holiday Season recommended mailing dates and announced that while there are no "deadlines," the Postal Service's earliest recommended "mail by" date is November 1 for delivery before December 25, based on economical surface transportation.
To insure delivery of holiday greeting cards and packages to military APO/FPO addresses overseas, and to international addresses, the Postal Service recommends mailing by the following dates.
| Military Mail Addressed To | First Class Letters/Cards | Priority | Parcel Airlift Mail (PAL) ¹ | Space Available Mail (SAM) ² | Parcel Post |
| APO/FPO AE ZIPS 090-098 | Dec 11 | Dec 11 | Dec 4 | Nov 27 | Nov 6 |
| APO/FPO AA ZIPS 340 | Dec 11 | Dec 11 | Dec 4 | Nov 27 | Nov 6 |
| APO/FPO AP ZIPS 962-966 | Dec 11 | Dec 11 | Dec 4 | Nov 27 | Nov 6 |
¹ PAL: A special service that provides air transportation for parcels on a space available basis. PAL is available for Parcel Post 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.
² SAM: Parcels paid at Parcel Post postage rates are first transported domestically by surface and then to overseas destinations by air on a space available basis. The maximum weight and size limits are 15 pounds and 60 inches in length and girth combined.
| International Mail Addressed To | Air Letters & Cards | Air Parcel Post | Surface |
| Africa | Dec 9 | Dec 9 | Nov 1 |
| Asia / Pacific Rim | Dec 16 | Dec 16 | Nov 6 |
| Australia / New Zealand | Dec 16 | Dec 16 | Nov 6 |
| Canada | Dec 16 | Dec 16 | Nov 23 |
| Caribbean | Dec 16 | Dec 16 | Nov 20 |
| Central & South America | Dec 9 | Dec 9 | Nov 6 |
| Mexico | Dec 16 | Dec 16 | Nov 23 |
| Europe | Dec 16 | Dec 16 | Nov 13 |
| Middle East | Dec 16 | Dec 16 | Nov 1 |
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.
With the holiday mailing season beginning soon, the Postal Service recommends that customers go on-line and visit the post office that never closes -- www.usps.com. Customers can calculate postage, obtain simplified customs forms and select an international mailing service that's right for any mailing need. Visitors to the Postal Service's home page can also purchase stamps, track and confirm mailings and even purchase greeting cards online.
New, Easy, Simple "Customer's Guide to Mailing"
The "Customer's Guide to Mailing" provides clear, concise information on virtually everything consumer customers need to know about mailing. The free guide, available at post offices and online at www.usps.com, includes illustrations, tips and helpful information about changing an address, putting mail on temporary hold, and choosing extra services such as Insurance or Delivery Confirmation.
60,000 Additional Stamp Locations
Beyond visiting the web or the nation's 38,000 post offices, there are now 60,000 more locations to purchase stamps. Customers can obtain postage where they see "Buy Stamps Here" signage among 17,000 ATMs, and more than 40,000 supermarkets, drug stores and banks.
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 craft 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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