Holiday mailing deadline dates released

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Brian Stives
  • 501st Combat Support Wing Public Affairs
RAF ALCONBURY, United Kingdom --  The dates for mailing items to and from overseas locations in time for the holidays are fast approaching, and Military Postal Service Agency officials have suggestions for ensuring packages and letters arrive on time.

The recommended mail deadlines for sending mail to the United Sates from 501st Combat Support Wing military mailing addressees for the holidays are:

Space-Available Mail (SAM) - Nov. 26
Parcel Airlift Mail (PAL) - Dec. 3
Priority Mail - Dec. 10
First Class Letters and Cards - Dec. 10
Express Mail Military Service - Dec. 18

"U.S. Air Forces in Europe postal patrons should plan ahead and mail early to ensure their letters, cards and packages arrive to their intended U.S. destinations in time for the holidays," said Master Sgt. Patricia Quick-Cole, 423rd Communications Squadron, Military Postal Service Agency postmaster.

"If you really want to get your gifts back to the United States, I would suggest you send them out well before the deadlines," said Tech. Sgt. Phillip Black, 421st Air Base Squadron Military Postal Service Agency postmaster. "For those getting gifts from the United States, our post office will be open late Christmas Eve so last minutes gifts can be under the tree the next day."

"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. Space-available mail service takes longer to arrive to end destination and moves on a space-available basis once it arrives in the states," said Lionel Rivera, U.S. Air Forces in Europe/Air Forces Africa Postal branch public affairs officer. "If you want faster service, consider using priority mail or express mail military service (EMMS). It costs more but these classes of mail get preferred and/or expedited service. Note, some USAFE APOs do not offer EMMS."

Almost all mail accepted at military post offices in Europe is flown to the United States on commercial aircraft.

Keep in mind, packages transiting through the mail stream are handled numerous times, therefore proper packaging is very important. The below mailing tips are provided to help ensure packages arrive safely and undamaged.

Mailing Tips
· Print addresses clearly (Print or type clearly with a pen or permanent marker). Avoid commas, periods or other punctuation - it helps your mail speed through the USPS automated processing equipment.
· Include all address elements (apartment numbers, suite numbers, directional information for streets, etc.).
· Put the delivery and return addresses on only one side of the package.
· Select a box that is strong enough to protect the contents. Leave space for cushioning inside the carton.
· Package 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 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 alkaline batteries from toys and other electronic items.
· Do not use gift wrapping paper, string, masking tape or cellophane tape.
· Place an index card inside the package containing 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 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 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.