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Below are the 2011 recommended holiday mail deadline dates for postal customers assigned to the European theater of operations. These dates are for mail originating in Europe and destined to locations in the U.S. Stateside mailers sending letters and packages to APOs/FPOs/DPOs addresses use similar deadlines dates.
Space Available Mail (SAM) Nov. 25
Parcel Airlift Mail (PAL) Dec. 2
Priority Mail Dec. 9
First Class Letters and Cards Dec. 9
Express Mail Dec. 16
Command postal patrons should plan ahead and mail early to ensure letters, cards and packages arrive to their intended destinations in time for the holidays, said Lionel Rivera, USAFE Postal Public Affairs representative.
Customers can avoid the historical 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.
Mail accepted at military post offices in Europe is mainly flown to the U.S. on commercial aircraft. Once mail arrives stateside, depending on the service selected, it’s transported based on the service paid for.
Space-available mail service takes longer to arrive at its end destination and moves on a space-available basis, Rivera said.
Keep in mind that packages transiting through the mail stream are handled numerous times, therefore proper packaging is very important. The below mailing tips are provided to ensure packages arrive safely and undamaged.
USPS Mailing Tips
• Print the addresses clearly
• Include all address elements (apartment numbers, suite numbers, directional information for streets, etc.).
• Select a box that is strong enough to protect the contents. Leave space for cushioning inside the carton.
• Cushion 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 tape, paper tape or glass-reinforced pressure-sensitive tape.
• 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.
• Do not use wrapping paper, string, masking tape or cellophane tape.
• Put the delivery and return addresses on only one side of the package.
• Place an index card inside the package that contains the sender’s address and the recipient’s address along with a list of the contents. This will help postal employees re-pack boxes that were improperly wrapped and came apart during transport ensuring that the package is either sent to its destination or back to the sender.
• Use Express Mail and Priority Mail boxes, envelopes, and tubes your post office provides.
Contact your local postmaster for more information on how mail is
dispatched and received at your location and for advice on the best service to use based on your needs.
(Courtesy of the 86th Communications Squadron)
