There may not be snow on the ground, but now is the time to start thinking about holiday mailing deadlines for military and diplomatic service members overseas.
“Making sure those serving in the nation’s armed forces and diplomatic service receive their presents and care packages in time for the holidays is our priority,” said Whitewater Postmaster Sherrie Benes, who also oversees the Palmyra Post Office. “We want to help their friends and family send mail worldwide in time for the holidays.”
Helping to get packages on their way, the Postal Service offers a $2 per box postage discount on its largest Priority Mail Flat Rate box at, $15.45, for mail being sent to APO/FPO/DPO (Air/Army Post Office, Fleet Post Office and Diplomatic Post Office) destinations worldwide.
Priority Mail Flat Rate boxes are available at no cost at either local Post Office, or can be ordered online at shop.usps.com. Postage, labels and customs forms can be printed online anytime using Click-N-Ship at https://cns.usps.com/go.
To ensure timely delivery of holiday wishes by Dec. 25, send cards and packages to military APO/FPO/ DPO addresses overseas no later than the mailing dates listed below:
• Priority Mail Express Military Service (available to all ZIPs except for 093,) Dec. 17;
• First-Class Mail, ZIP 093, Dec. 3, ZIPs 090-092, 094-098, 340 and 962-966, Dec. 10;
• Priority Mail, ZIP 093, Dec. 3, ZIPs 090-092, 094-098, 340 and 962-966, Dec. 10;
• Parcel Air Lift (provides air transportation for parcels on a space-available basis, available for Standard Post items not exceeding 30 lbs. in weight or 60 inches in length and girth combined,) applies to all ZIPs, Dec. 3, and;
• Space Available Mail (paid at Standard Post prices with maximum weight and size limits of 15 lbs. and 60 inches in length and girth combined and are transported by surface domestically and then to overseas destinations by air on a space-available basis,) applies to all ZIPs, Nov. 26.
Military Care Kit
With Priority Mail supplies the packaging of choice for families preparing care packages for service members overseas, the Postal Service created a free “Military Care Kit” based on the items most frequently requested by military families.
The kit contains: two Priority Mail APO/FPO Flat Rate Boxes; two Priority Mail Medium Flat Rate Boxes; Priority Mail tape; Priority Mail address labels, and; the appropriate customs forms.
To order the free kit call (800) 610-8734.
Timely tips
When addressing packages for service members overseas, the Postal Service offers the following guidelines:
• Write out the service member’s full name in the address;
• Include the unit and APO/FPO/DPO address with the 9-digit ZIP code (if one is assigned;
• Include a return address;
• Include the service member’s name and address as well as the sender’s name and address on an index card inside the package to assist with delivery in the event the label is damaged.
For more information, including guidelines for packing, addressing and shipping items to U.S. troops, visit usps.com/ship/apo-fpo-guidelines.htm.
