2019 recommended holiday season mailing dates, mailing tips

by Lionel Rivera
U.S. Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa Air Postal Squadron

The 2019 recommended holiday season mailing dates for postal customers assigned to the European theater are:

• USPS Retail Ground/Space Available Mail (SAM) – Nov. 27
• First Class Mail – Dec. 11
• Priority Mail – Dec. 11
• Priority Mail Express Military Service (PMEMS) – Dec. 18

These dates are for mail originating in Europe and destined to locations in the United States. Customers in the U.S. who mail to European APO/FPO/DPO addresses normally use the same recommended mailing dates.

“U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa postal patrons should plan ahead and mail early to ensure letters, cards, and packages arrive to intended U.S. destinations in time for the holidays,” said Lionel Rivera, USAFE Air Postal Squadron Postal Operations Flight.

Customers can avoid long lines at the post office when they mail early and can take advantage of using the cheaper, although slower, space available mail service military post offices offer in Europe.

“USPS Retail Ground/SAM service takes longer to arrive at the end destination and moves via ground once it arrives in the states,” said Rivera.

Customers who want faster service should consider using priority mail or priority mail express military service if available. This costs more but these classes of mail get preferred and/or expedited service.

Most mail accepted at military post offices in Europe is flown to the U.S. on commercial aircraft. Once mail arrives stateside, it’s transported based on the service selected and paid for. Customers should keep in mind, packages transiting through the mail stream are handled numerous times, and therefore proper packaging is very important.

The following USPS mailing tips are provided to help ensure packages arrive safely and undamaged:

The Box
Choose a box with enough room for cushioning material around the contents. Sturdy paperboard or corrugated fiberboard boxes are best for weights up to 10 pounds. If reusing a box, cover up or mark-out any old labels and markings.

USPS Provided Boxes
Priority Mail Express and Priority Mail boxes are available at no cost to the customer at the post office for items sent using either of these services.

Cushioning
Place cushioning around your items. Close and gently shake the box to see whether there is enough padding. Place an extra address label with the delivery and return addresses inside the package to ensure it can be delivered in case the outside label becomes damaged or falls off.

Sealing

• Tape the box shut and reinforce the seams with 2-inch wide tape. Use clear or brown packaging tape, reinforced packing tape, or paper tape.
• Liquids (some host country restrictions apply, check with your post office personnel)
• Nonflammable, nonhazardous liquids are acceptable to mail, if sealed inside a waterproof container. The outer container with the address label should also be strong and securely sealed. Mailers must mark the outer container of a mail piece containing liquid to indicate the nature of the contents, and annotate “this side up” on the package. Packages containing liquids need to be carefully packed to withstand the grueling transportation journey.

Size
The weight of each package cannot exceed 70 pounds. Packages heavier than 70 pounds cannot be mailed. For customers planning to use Priority Mail Express Military Service or Priority Mail services for faster delivery, length plus girth (distance around the thickest part of the package) cannot exceed 108 inches. The total cannot exceed 130 inches when using USPS Retail Ground/SAM.

Correct Address
Using a complete and correct address is critical for timely delivery. To find the correct spelling of a city name and state abbreviation or to find a ZIP Code, visit www.usps.com. Print or type the delivery address parallel to the longest side of the package. Type or print clearly with a pen or permanent marker so that the address is legible from an arm’s length away.

Return Address
Print or type the address in the upper left corner on the same side of the package as the delivery address.

USPS Extra Services
Extra services can provide additional protection and peace of mind.

• Adult Signature – Re­quires the signature of someone 21 years of age or older at the recipient’s address.
• Certificate of Mailing – Pro­vides evidence of mailing.
• Certified Mail – Provides proof of mailing at time of mailing and the date and time of delivery or attempted delivery.
• Insured Mail – Provides coverage against loss or damage up to 5,000 dollars. Fee based on value of item.
• Registered Mail (service not available at all locations) – Provides maximum security. Includes proof of mailing at time of mailing and the date and time of delivery or attempted delivery. Insurance can be added up to 50,000 dollars. Fee based on value of item.
• USPS Tracking – Provides the date and time of delivery or attempted delivery. Free with select services.
• Signature Confirmation – Provides the date and time of delivery or attempted delivery and the name of the person who signed for the item. Customers can request a printed copy of the signature.
• Return Receipt – Provides a postcard or electronic notification with the date of delivery and recipient signature.
• Restricted Delivery – Confirms that only a specified person, or authorized agent, will receive a piece of mail. This service is available only when purchasing Certified Mail, Insured Mail (over 500 dollars), Adult Signature, Signature Confirmation, or Registered Mail.

Customs Declaration Form
Customers can avoid waiting in line longer at post office finance windows if they complete an online customs declaration using the USPS website prior to presenting parcels and packages for mailing at the APO. Customers have several options available to them when completing required customs declarations using the USPS.com website:

Option 1: Customers can chose the USPS Click-N-Ship feature to establish an account, complete their customs declaration and pay for their mailing using one of several USPS approved credit cards.

Option 2: Customers can print a customs declaration at home on the USPS website without establishing an account and then pay at the postal finance window when presenting their parcels and packages for mailing.

Option 3: Customers can use the customer work station (if available) at the APO to go online and complete a customs declaration before presenting mail pieces at the postal finance window.

Contact the local installation postmaster for additional information on how mail is dispatched and received at your location, and for advice on the best service to use based on your mailing needs.