Mail addressed to military and diplomatic post offices overseas is subject to certain conditions or restrictions of mailing regarding content, preparation, and handling. The APO/FPO/DPO table below outlines these conditions by APO/FPO/DPO ZIP™ Codes through the use of footnoted mailing restrictions codes (see the Restrictions page following the table).
Acceptance clerks should use the table with the integrated retail terminal (IRT) or POS ONE terminal to determine which APO/FPO/DPO ZIP Codes are active and which conditions of mailing apply. Acceptance clerks may contact the Military Postal Service Agency with any questions regarding APO/FPO/DPO ZIP Codes, toll free, at 800-810-6098, Monday–Friday, 0730–1600 ET.
For Express Mail Military Service (EMMS) availability, all acceptance clerks must refer to the local hardcopy EMMS directory.
The entries under “Changes” appear in bold in the APO/FPO/DPO table starting below.
We have eliminated “Not Active” entries from the table below to save space and paper.
APO/FPO/DPO Table
RESTRICTIONS
LEGEND
PS Form 2976, Customs — CN 22 (Old C 1) and Sender’s Declaration (green label)
PS Form 2976-A, Customs Declaration and Dispatch Note
AAFES = Army and Air Force Exchange Service
APO = Army/Air Force Post Office
Box R = Retired military personnel
DMM = Domestic Mail Manual
DPO = Diplomatic Post Office
FPO = Fleet Post Office
MOM = Military Ordinary Mail
MPO = Military Post Office
PAL = Parcel Airlift
PSC = Postal Service Center
SAM = Space Available Mail
USDA = United States Department of Agriculture
Note: Mail order catalogs are prohibited as SAM or PAL mail.
A. Securities, currency, or precious metals in their raw, unmanufactured state are prohibited. Official shipments are exempt from this restriction.
A1. Mail addressed to “Any Servicemember,” or similar wording such as “Any Soldier,” “Sailor,” “Airman,” or “Marine”; “Military Mail”; etc., is prohibited. Mail must be addressed to an individual or job title such as “Commander,” “Commanding Officer,” etc.
B. PS Form 2976-A is required for all mail weighing 16 ounces or more, with exceptions noted below. In addition, mailers must properly complete required customs documentation when mailing any potentially dutiable mail addressed to an APO, FPO, or DPO regardless of weight. The following are exceptions to the requirement for customs documentation on nondutiable mail that weighs 16 ounces or more:
n Known mailers are exempt from providing customs documentation on non-dutiable letters, and printed matter weighing 16 ounces or more. (A known mailer is anyone who legally applies a permit imprint to a mailpiece. Mail with meter postage is not considered to be from a known mailer.)
n All federal, state, and local government agencies are exempt from providing customs documentation on mail addressed to an APO, FPO, or DPO except for those APOs/FPO/DPOs to which restriction B2 applies.
n Prepaid mail from military contractors is exempt, providing the mailpiece is endorsed “Contents for Official Use — Exempt from Customs Requirements.”
B1. PS Form 2976 or 2976-A is required. Articles are liable for customs duty and/or purchase tax unless they are bona fide gifts intended for use by military personnel or their dependents. When the contents of a parcel meet these requirements, the mailer must endorse the customs form, “Certified to be a bona fide gift, personal effects, or items for personal use of military personnel and dependents,” under the heading, Description of Contents. Exceptions: All other exceptions listed in restriction B above are applicable to this restriction.
B2. All federal, state, and local government agencies must complete customs documentation when sending mail addressed to or from this APO, FPO, or DPO weighing 16 ounces or more.
C. Cigarettes and other tobacco products are prohibited.
C1. Obscene articles, prints, paintings, cards, films, videotapes, etc., and horror comics and matrices are prohibited.
D. Coffee is prohibited.
E1. Medicines or vaccines not conforming to French laws are prohibited.
E2. Any matter depicting nude or seminude persons, pornographic or sexual items, or nonauthorized political materials is prohibited. Although religious materials contrary to the Islamic faith are prohibited in bulk quantities, items for the personal use of the addressee are permissible.
E3. Radio transceivers, cordless telephones, global positioning systems, scanners, base stations, and handheld transmitters are prohibited.
F. Firearms of any type are prohibited in all classes of mail. See definitions of firearms in DMM 601.11.1.1c. This restriction does not apply to firearms mailed to or by official U.S. government agencies. The restriction for mail to this APO/FPO/DPO ZIP Code does not apply to firearms mailed from this APO/FPO/DPO ZIP Code, provided ATF and USPS regulations are met. Antique firearms are a separate category defined in DMM 601.11.2 and ATF regulations; they do not require an ATF form.
F1. Privately owned weapons addressed to an individual are prohibited in any class of mail.
F2. Importation of firearms is restricted to one shotgun and one single shot.22 caliber rifle per individual.
G. Only letters, flats, and Periodicals are authorized. Parcels of any class are prohibited.
H. Meats, including preserved meats, whether hermetically sealed or not, are prohibited.
H1. Pork or pork by-products are prohibited.
I. Mail of all classes must fit in a mail sack. Mail may not exceed the following dimensions:
n Maximum length 20 inches.
n Maximum width 12 inches.
n Maximum height 12 inches.
The maximum length and girth combined may not exceed 68 inches.
This restriction does not apply to registered mail and official government mail marked MOM.
I1. This restriction does not apply to registered mail.
I2. This restriction does not apply to official government mail marked MOM.
J. Parcels may not exceed 108 inches in length and girth combined.
K. Mail that includes in the address the words, “Dependent Mail Section,” may consist only of letter mail, newspapers, magazines, and books. No parcel of any class containing any other matter may be mailed to the Dependent Mail section. This restriction does not apply if the address does not include the words “Dependent Mail Section.”
L. All official mail is prohibited.
M. Fruits, vegetables, animals, and living plants are prohibited.
N. Registered mail is prohibited.
O. Delivery status information for Extra Services is not available on USPS.com.
P. APO is used for the receipt and dispatch of official mail only.
Q. Mail may not exceed 66 pounds, and size is limited to 42 inches maximum length and 72 inches maximum length and girth combined.
R. All alcoholic beverages, including those mailable under DMM 601.11.7, are prohibited.
R1. Materials used in the production of alcoholic beverages (i.e., distilling material, hops, malts, yeast, etc.) are prohibited.
T. Mailings of case lots of food and supplemental household shipments must be approved by the sender’s parent agency prior to mailing.
U. Parcels must weigh less than 16 ounces when addressed to Box R. This restriction does not apply to mail endorsed “Free Matter for the Blind or Handicapped.”
U1. Mail is limited to First-Class Mail weighing 13 ounces or less when addressed to Box R. This restriction does not apply to mail endorsed “Free Matter for the Blind or Handicapped.” Videotapes are prohibited when addressed to Box R, regardless of weight.
U2. Mail is limited to First-Class Mail letters only when addressed to Box R.
U3. Mail is limited to First-Class Mail correspondence (including voice and video cassettes), newspapers, magazines, photographs, not exceeding 16 ounces, when addressed to Box R.
V. Express Mail Military Service (EMMS) not available from any origin.
V1. Delivery Confirmation service is not available.
W. Meat products, such as dried beef, salami, and sausage, may be mailed, provided they remain in their original, hermetically sealed packages and bear USDA certification. Other meats, bones, skin, hair, feathers, horns or hoofs of hoofed animals, wool samples, tobacco leaves, including chewing and pipe tobacco, snuff, cigars, and cigarettes, or obscene material, including obscene drawings, photographs, films, and carvings, are prohibited. Exception: 200 grams of tobacco per parcel are permitted duty free.
X. Personal mail is limited to First-Class Mail items (to include audio cassettes and voice tapes) weighing 13 ounces or less. This limitation does not apply to official mail.
Y. Mail is limited to First-Class and Priority Mail items only. All Periodicals, Standard Mail items, and Package Services items (including SAM and PAL) are not authorized. This restriction also applies to official mail.
Z. No outside pieces (OSPs).
Z1. The following restriction is applicable only to International Service Centers (ISC)/Exchange Offices. An Anti-Pilferage Seal (Item No O817E or O818A) is required on all pouches and sacks.
— International Network Operations,
Global Business, 10-22-09
2009 Open Season and Other Benefits and Payroll Election Opportunities
Note: Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) expire at the end of each year, but they can be renewed during FSA Open Season.
Annual Leave Exchange (ALE) for next year’s leave requires an election during this ALE Open Season.
Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) Catch-up contributions expire at the end of each year, but elections can be made at any time.
Benefit Program
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Note the deadlines...
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Find out about eligibility and options...
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Prepare for and make your elections...
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Comments
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Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB)
Program
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Opens: 11/09
Closes: 12/15
5:00 p.m. CT
or
Qualifying Life Event (through HRSSC)
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Guides to Benefits Updates coming soon.
n Career Employees Postal Inspectors & OIG Employees Noncareer Employees
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Prepare PostalEASE FEHB Worksheet
Use PostalEASE
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n You must enter dependents if electing a new Self and Family plan.
n Individual plan brochures are available at www.opm.gov/insure/health or by calling the health plan.
Coming to you in the mail: Guide to Benefits (program summary) with PostalEASE FEHB Worksheet.
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Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP)
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Opens: 11/09
Closes: 12/14
11:59 p.m. ET
or
Qualifying Life Event (through FEDVIP, not HRSSC)
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Guide to Dental & Vision Insurance Program
Update coming soon
n All Employees
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Use
www.benefeds.com
877-888-3337
TTY 877-889-5680
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n If you are eligible to participate in FEHB, you are eligible to enroll in FEDVIP, even if you are not enrolled in FEHB.
n USPS does not contribute.
n You pay full cost of premiums on a pre-tax basis.
n You may enroll in a dental plan, a vision plan, or both.
n You may enroll in a plan for Self Only, Self Plus One, or Self and Family coverage.
n Rules for the eligibility of family members in FEDVIP are the same as those for their eligibility in FEHB.
Coming to you in the mail: FEDVIP Guide.
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Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
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Opens: 11/09
Closes: 12/27
5:00 p.m. CT
or
Qualified Life Status Change (through HRSSC)
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FSA Brochure Update coming soon
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Prepare
PostalEASE FSA Worksheet
Use
PostalEASE
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n Health Care FSA maximum is $5,000.
n Dependent Care (day care) FSA maximum is $5,000.
Over-the-counter medicines and drugs are eligible.
Coming to you in the mail: Post cards, leaflet, and brochure.
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Annual Leave Exchange (ALE)
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Opens: 11/15
Closes: 12/15
11:59 p.m. CT
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Letter mailed to eligible employees
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Prepare
PostalEASE ALE Worksheet (mailed to eligible employees)
Use
PostalEASE
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n Most career nonbargaining unit employees from Rate Schedule Codes (RSCs) D, E, F, S, U, V, and Z may exchange from 8 to 128 hours in whole-hour increments if their annual leave balance is at least 160 hours as of close of business on January 1, 2010.
n Bargaining unit employees from RSCs C, G, K, M, N, P, T, and Y may exchange from 8 to 40 hours in whole-hour increments if their annual leave balance is at least 440 hours and if they have used less than 75 hours of sick leave for the leave year as of close of business on January 1, 2010.
n For bargaining unit employees, the lump sum is calculated on salary as of January 2, 2010, and included in the January 22, 2010, paycheck. For nonbargaining unit employees, the lump sum is calculated on salary as of January 16, 2010, and included in the February 5, 2010, paycheck. These lump sum payments are taxable in 2010.
Coming only to eligible employees in the mail: Letter about annual leave exchange.
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Allotments/
Net-to-Bank (Direct Deposit)
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Any time
Processed at 3:59 a.m. CT, 2nd Wednesday of pay period
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Prepare PostalEASE Net-to-Bank Worksheet
Use
PostalEASE
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n You must provide your financial institution’s routing number and your account number.
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Thrift Savings Plan
Regular Contributions
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Any time
Processed at 3:59 a.m. CT, 2nd Wednesday of pay period
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www.tsp.gov/forms/tspbk08.pdf
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Prepare PostalEASE TSP Worksheet
Use
PostalEASE
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n The IRS annual limit on elective deferrals for 2010 is $16,500.
n FERS employees who want to maximize contributions while avoiding the loss of USPS matching contributions should make a whole dollar contribution per pay period equal to the announced maximum divided by 26.
n Contribution elections for 2010 will be accepted beginning at 4:30 a.m. CT on December 16, 2009.
Coming to you in the mail: TSP enrollment information letter and PostalEASE TSP Worksheet.
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TSP 50+
Catch-Up Contributions
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Any time
Processed at 3:59 a.m. CT, 2nd Wednesday of pay period
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www.tsp.gov/forms/tspbk08.pdf
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Prepare
PostalEASE TSP 50+ Catch Up Worksheet
Use
PostalEASE
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n If you are age 50 or older during 2010, you may contribute an additional amount up to the IRS limit, which is $5,500.
n Catch-up contribution elections for 2010 will be accepted beginning at 4:30 a.m. CT on December 16, 2009. You must certify that your regular TSP contributions will reach the IRS maximum.
Coming only to eligible employees in the mail: TSP enrollment information catch-up letter and PostalEASE TSP Catch-up Worksheet.
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TSP Investment Choices
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Any time
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www.tsp.gov/forms/tspbk08.pdf
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Use
www.tsp.gov
Have TSP acct. no. or Custom User ID
Have Web password
877-968-3778
TDD 877-847-4385
Have TSP acct. no.
Have TSP PIN
Mail Form TSP-50
(available from HRSSC)
to TSP
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n Via the ThriftLine you may request:
n A new TSP PIN.
n A new 8-character Web password.
n A copy of your TSP account number.
n Quarterly participant statements.
n Via www.tsp.gov you may request:
n A new 8-character Web password.
n A copy of your TSP account number.
n A Custom User ID
n Printable views of quarterly participant
statements.
n Cancellation of request to have quarterly participant statements mailed.
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Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program (FLTCIP)
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You may apply any time—underwriting required
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www.ltcfeds.com/usps
Find category of eligibility
Click Information Kit
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Use
www.ltcfeds.com/usps
Find category of eligibility
Click Application
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n New and newly eligible employees may enroll with the abbreviated application within the first 60 days of becoming eligible.
n You may download the information kit and the application or have them mailed to you.
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Commuter Program
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Any time
Processed at 11:59 p.m. ET, 10th day of the month
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www.wageworks.com
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Use
www.wageworks.com
877-924-3967
TTY 866-353-8058
M–F 8 a.m.–8 p.m. ET
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n New career employees receive a brochure in the mail and must allow up to 30 days for information to be entered in the Wageworks system.
n Other employees can enroll at any time.
n Elections, changes, and cancellation for the Commuter Program take effect 2 months after the processing deadline.
n Effective January 1, 2010, the monthly pre-tax spending limit for transit is $230 and for parking is $230.
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— Compensation, Human Resources, 10-22-09
2009 International and Military Mail Christmas Mailing Dates
To ensure delivery of holiday cards and packages by December 25 to military APO/FPO addresses overseas and to international addresses, we suggest that mail be entered by the recommended mailing dates listed below. Beat the last-minute rush and take your mail to your U.S. Post Office® by these suggested dates. And don’t forget you can print postage, labels, and Customs forms online 24/7 using Click-N-Ship® service at www.usps.com/clicknship.
Remember, all mail addressed to military post offices overseas is subject to certain conditions or restrictions regarding content, preparation, and handling. APO/FPO addresses generally require Customs forms. To see a table of active APO and FPO addresses and mailing restrictions by individual APO/FPO ZIP™ Codes, go to http://pe.usps.com and click Postal Bulletins, or go to the current issue and see the article “Overseas Military Mail.”
*Average number of days may vary based upon origin and destination.
Please post on all bulletin boards.
— International Operations, Global Business, 10-22-09
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
2009 Open Season
Enrollment for 2009 FSAs begins: November 9, 2009
Enrollment ends: December 27, 2009 (5:00 p.m. CT)
Enrollments are effective: January 1, 2010
Who Can Enroll
Only career employees are eligible to enroll in FSAs for 2010.
How to Enroll
Don’t wait until the last minute to enroll.
To use the Web — the easiest way to use PostalEASE — access the system in any of these ways:
On the Internet at https://liteblue.usps.gov. Under “Employee Self Service,” select PostalEASE.
At an employee self-service kiosk.
On the Intranet at http://blue.usps.gov. Under “Employee Resources,” select PostalEASE.
To use the telephone, call the Employee Service Line at 877-477-3273.
If you cannot successfully complete your transaction using PostalEASE because of a medical condition or other reason, contact the Human Resources Shared Services Center (HRSSC) for assistance.
How to Get Your USPS® Personal Identification Number (PIN)
To use PostalEASE, you must enter your Employee ID and USPS PIN. If you don’t know your USPS PIN, you can get it any one of these ways:
Go to https://liteblue.usps.gov and click Forget Your PIN?
Enter your eight-digit Employee ID (printed at the top of your earnings statement).
Choose a new PIN immediately with Self-Service PIN Reset — just follow the instructions.
Go to the Postal Service™ Intranet Blue page: under “Employee Resources,” click Employee Self-Service, then PostalEASE, and follow the instructions.
Go to an employee self-service kiosk. Just follow the instructions.
Dial 877-477-3273 and press 1.
When prompted, enter your Employee ID.
When prompted for your PIN, pause, then press 2.
Your USPS PIN will be mailed to your address of record the next business day.
Details Are in the Mail
A leaflet and a brochure, FSA BK1, Flexible Spending Accounts, with a PostalEASE FSA worksheet included, are being mailed to all career employees. If you do not receive yours by November 28, 2009, contact the HRSSC.
Questions
Hotline for FSA questions: 800-842-2026.
TTY line for employees who are deaf or hard of hearing: 888-697-9056. Advance call to hotline encouraged.
Please Post on All Bulletin Boards Through December 27, 2009.
Federal Employees Health Benefits
Open Season
November 9, 2009, to December 15, 2009
HEALTH BENEFITS OPEN SEASON
ON PostalEASE
The Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Open Season will be held from November 9 to December 15, 2009, closing at 5:00 p.m. CT. Employees should complete the PostalEASE FEHB worksheet included in the mailing to their homes, and enter enrollment information directly into PostalEASE via the Web at https://liteblue.usps.gov, kiosk, or telephone at 877-477-3273, option 1.
During this open season, eligible employees may make any one, or a combination, of the following changes using PostalEASE:
n Enroll if not enrolled.
n Cancel enrollment.
n Change from one plan to another plan.
n Change from one option to another option.
n Change from Self Only to Self and Family.
n Change from Self and Family to Self Only.
Enrollment changes and new enrollments made during the 2009 FEHB Open Season will be effective January 2, 2010 (Pay Period 02-10). New premium payments will be reflected in paychecks dated January 22, 2010.
Please post on all bulletin boards through December 15, 2009.
Federal Employees Dental and Vision
Insurance Program
Open Season
November 9 to December 14, 2009
DENTAL AND VISION INSURANCE OPEN SEASON
www.benefeds.com
The Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP) Open Season will be held from November 9 to December 14, 2009, closing at 11:59 p.m. ET. Employees will receive a mailing to their addresses of record with complete program information about this pretax group insurance offering.
During this open season, eligible employees may elect dental insurance, vision insurance, or both via the portal at www.benefeds.com. Employees without access to a computer may call 877-888-FEDS (877-888-3337). Employees who are deaf or hard of hearing may place a TTY call to 877-889-5680.
New enrollments made during the 2009 FEDVIP Open Season will be effective January 1, 2010.
Please post on all bulletin boards through December 14, 2009.
Holiday Mailing Season Service Talk —
Week of November 30
SUBJECT: Getting the Mail Home for the Holidays
Getting the mail home for the holidays has always been what we excel in — it’s what we do year after year, and we do it well. When we’re working together as a team, we know how to get the mail home — on time — and on schedule.
Through your hard work and dedication, we’ve proven that we can get more done by being more efficient, and that we can get our work done more effectively when everyone comes to work as scheduled every day.
Sure, we all know it’s been a difficult year for both the economy and the Postal Service™, and we know that mail volumes are lower than in past years.
And I’m sure everyone understands that over the next few weeks, the holiday mailing season will be in full swing, and it will be our busiest time of the entire year.
We expect to handle more than 16 billion pieces of letter mail, flat mail, and package products between Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. That’s a little less than in past years, but it’s still a mountain of mail!
And every piece of that mail is addressed to a specific Post Office™ box or street address, to a specific individual, or to a business somewhere, and it’s up to all of us to get it where it needs to go in a timely manner.
For every one of those 16 billion pieces of mail, there is an expectation that it will be collected, transported, and processed efficiently, and delivered without delay. Just like every day of the year, our customers use the mail because they trust us to get the mail home in a prompt and secure manner.
It might interest you to know that this year the Postal Service has been ranked as one of the three most trusted organizations in the nation. Every year, the Ponemon Institute ranks the Postal Service as one of the most trusted organizations in the country among consumers.
So our customers trust us to deliver for the holidays on time, and all of you know we will get the job done.
Thanks for everything you do each day, and thanks for making sure we “get the mail home for the holidays!”
Post on Employee Bulletin Boards
Holiday Mailing Season Service Talk —
Week of December 7
SUBJECT: Our Time to Shine
As our busiest time of year approaches, you have the opportunity to show our customers the outstanding service we provide. It’s your season to shine.
While retailers start their holiday sales earlier and earlier, for most people the season doesn’t begin until they start mailing their cards and gifts.
This season we want to call attention to the great value we provide with our shipping and online services. Many people don’t know what a great bargain our shipping prices are and how conveniently they can take care of all their shipping needs at USPS.com®.
Each of you can help get the word out about the advantages we offer over the competition:
Lower prices.
No fuel surcharge.
No fee for Saturday delivery.
Free Priority Mail® and Express Mail® Boxes and Envelopes.
Convenience of Priority Mail Flat Rate Boxes — if it fits, it ships for one low price to any state.
One-stop shipping online at USPS.com.
Price savings and free Delivery Confirmation™ service when you ship online.
Free package pickup.
The Postal Service™ has been delivering holiday cheer for 234 years. Let’s continue the tradition this holiday season by educating our customers about why we are the best bargain in shipping.
Post on Employee Bulletin Boards
