Dear Bureaupat,

I have loved ones that are serving in the military overseas during the holiday and I want to ensure that they get my holiday mail.  What is the deadline to ensure they get my holiday cheer?

Dear Holiday Mailer,

Great question, especially after Veterans Day when we are remembering those that have served and given their life for our freedom.

While you can send main and packages anytime, the U.S. Postal Service says that if you want to ensure it arrives before Christmas, you must hurry.

Today, Friday, Nov. 13, is the target 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.

But you have a little more time if you use priority or first class mail (see below). The USPS is encouraging the use of these early deadlines to make sure that packages reach their destinations in time for the holidays.

The USPS places APO/FPO mail on special charter flights, commercial airlines, and military service aircraft to reach Armed Services members overseas as quickly as possible.

And get this...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 U.S. Delivery Confirmation provides customers with the date, zip code of delivery, and time the package was delivered. This information can be accessed on line at www.usps.com.

The USPS's popular Military Care Kits also help military families and friends keep free shipping supplies within reach. Each kits 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 (800) 610-8734.

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

Deadlines

• Space Available Mail. Nov. 21 for AE ZIP 093; Nov. 28 for AE ZIPs 090-092 and 094-098, AA ZIP 340, and AP ZIPs 962-966.
• Parcel Airlift Mail. Dec. 1 for AE ZIP 093; Dec. 4 for AE ZIPs 090-092 and 094-098, AA ZIP 340, and AP ZIPs 962-966.
• Priority Mail. Dec. 4 for AE ZIP 093; Dec. 11 for AE ZIPs 090-092 and 094-098, AA ZIP 340, and AP ZIPs 962-966.
• First Class Mail Letters/Cards. Dec. 4 for AE ZIP 093; Dec. 11 for AE ZIPs 090-092 and 094-098, AA ZIP 340, and AP ZIPs 962-966.
• Express Mail Military Service. N/A for AE ZIP 093; Dec. 18 for AE ZIPs 090-092 and 094-098, AA ZIP 340, and AP ZIPs 962-966.

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

Yours in Gov,

Bureaupat

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