Holiday Military Mail Deadlines

Holiday Mailing Deadlines

Postal Service announces deadlines for mail going to service members overseas

Greenfield, WI — While the first signs of autumn are just beginning to appear, it’s not too early to start thinking about holiday cards, letters and packages destined for service members and their families stationed in faraway lands. The first deadline for the 2009 holiday season is just around the corner.

Friday, November 13, is the deadline for sending holiday packages to troops stationed overseas using Parcel Post to all Air/Army Post Office (APO) or Fleet Post Office (FPO) ZIP Codes.

“The United States Postal Service® is encouraging the use of these early deadlines to make sure that packages reach their destinations in time for the holidays,”.

The Postal Service places APO/FPO mail on special charter flights, commercial airlines and military service aircraft to reach armed services members overseas as quickly as possible.

All military mail, regardless of destination, is sent by domestic mail rate. International rates do not apply to military mail delivery.

The 50-percent larger Priority Mail Large Flat Rate Box offers a $2 discount to APO/FPO destinations and ships for just $11.95. Customers can access shipping information by adding Delivery Confirmation™, which is available for almost all military destinations outside the United States. Delivery Confirmation provides customers with the date, ZIP Code of delivery, and time the package was delivered. This information can be accessed online at www.usps.com.

The Postal Service’s popular Military Care Kits also help military families and friends keep free shipping supplies within reach. Each kit contains three Priority Mail Flat Rate Boxes, two cube boxes, nine address labels, and 16 customs forms. The kit may be ordered by calling the USPS Expedited Package Supply Center at 1-800-610-8734, or stop in at the Greenfield Post Office to pick your kit up, we will be happy to assist you in your mailing needs.

All packages and mail must be addressed to individual service members, as required by U.S. Department of Defense regulations.

“There may be no bigger morale booster than mail for our soldiers, sailors, Marines, airmen and Coast Guardsmen during the holidays.” “Packages and letters bring them closer to family and to the comforts of home.”