WASHINGTON — Making sure those serving in the nation’s armed forces receive their presents and care packages in time for the holidays is a priority for friends and family members of military personnel serving around the world and for the U.S. Postal Service. Helping to get packages on their way, the Postal Service offers a discount on its largest Priority Mail Flat Rate box at $14.85. The price includes a $2 per box discount for military mail being sent to APO/FPO/DPO (Air/Army Post Office, Fleet Post Office, Diplomatic Post Office) destinations worldwide.
In addition to a lower cost per package, customers can be assured that shipping with the Postal Service provides reliable, trusted and secure delivery to military personnel stationed anywhere in the world.
Priority Mail Flat Rate boxes are available at no cost at local Post Offices, or can be ordered online at shop.usps.com. Postage, labels and customs forms can be printed online anytime using Click-N-Ship.
To ensure timely delivery of holiday wishes by Dec. 25, send cards and packages to military APO/FPO/ DPO addresses overseas no later than the mailing dates listed below.
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 |
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 |
1 PMEMS is available to selected military /diplomatic post offices. Check with your local Post Office to determine if this service is available to an APO/FPO/DPO address.
2 PAL is a service that provides air transportation for parcels on a space-available basis. PAL is available for Standard Post items not exceeding 30 pounds in weight or 60 inches in length and girth combined. The applicable PAL fee must be paid in addition to the regular surface price for each addressed piece sent by PAL service.
3 SAM parcels are paid at Standard Post prices with maximum weight and size limits of 15 pounds and 60 inches in length and girth combined. SAM parcels are first transported domestically by surface and then to overseas destinations by air on a space-available basis.
Use the Military Care Kit to Send Presents and/or Care Packages
With Priority Mail supplies as the packaging of choice for families preparing care packages for service members overseas, the Postal Service created 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.
- 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. To order flat-rate boxes featuring the “America Supports You” logo, go to store.usps.com.
Addressing the Package
- Write out the service members 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
- CPT JOHN DOE
- Include a return address.
The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.
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