USPS has released the recommended mailing dates customers should follow to make sure members of the armed services and others serving overseas receive holiday packages in time for the holidays.To ensure timely delivery of holiday packages and cards by Dec. 25 to Air/Army Post Office, Fleet Post Office, or Diplomatic Post Office (APO/FPO/DPO) addresses overseas, customers should follow the instructions on addressing military mail and send no later than the mailing dates listed here.
Packages sent to APO/FPO/DPO destinations worldwide are eligible for discounted prices. USPS is offering a special rate on its largest Priority Mail Flat Rate box at $14.85, which includes a $2 per box discount.In addition to discounted prices on packages, USPS also offers 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 appropriate customs forms.
To order the kit, call 800-610-8734. Guidelines for packing, addressing, and shipping items to U.S. troops can be found at usps.com/ship/apo-fpo-guidelines.htm. Click here to order flat-rate boxes featuring the “America Supports You” logo.
USPS recommended military mailing dates holiday 2013
| Military Mail Addressed To and From | Priority Mail Express Military Service (PMEMS)1 | First-Class Mail Letters and Cards | Priority Mail | Parcel Airlift Mail (PAL)2 | Space Available Mail (SAM)3 | Standard Post |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| APO/FPO AE ZIPs 090-092 | Dec-17 | Dec-10 | Dec-10 | Dec-3 | Nov-26 | Nov-12 |
| APO/FPO AE ZIP 093 | N/A | Dec-3 | Dec-3 | Dec-3 | Nov-26 | Nov-12 |
| APO/FPO AE ZIPs 094-098 | Dec-17 | Dec-10 | Dec-10 | Dec-3 | Nov-26 | Nov-12 |
| APO/FPO AA ZIP 340 | Dec-17 | Dec-10 | Dec-10 | Dec-3 | Nov-26 | Nov-12 |
| APO/FPO AP ZIPs 962-966 | Dec-17 | Dec-10 | Dec-10 | Dec-3 | Nov-26 | Nov-12 |
Addressing the Package
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). For example:
CPT JOHN DOE
UNIT 2050 BOX 4190
APO AP 96278-2050
SGT ROBERT SMITH
PSC 802 BOX 74
APO AE 09499-0074
SEAMAN JOSEPH SMITH
USCGC HAMILTON
FPO AP 96667-3931
MSG JANE DOE
CMR 1250
APO AA 09045-1000
Include a return address.
via USPS News Link