USPS - October 21, 2002 - Postal Service Recommends Mailing By November 1 To Make Overseas Delivery By December 25

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 Mail	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.

The Post Office that's always open: usps.com
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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