To ensure delivery of holiday cards and packages by December 25 to APO/FPO/DPO and international addresses overseas, 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 and diplomatic post offices overseas is subject to certain conditions or restrictions regarding content, preparation, and handling. APO/FPO/DPO addresses generally require Customs forms. To see a table of active APO/FPO/DPO ZIP Codes™ and associated mailing restrictions, go to http://pe.usps.com and click Postal Bulletins in the blue sidebar. Go to the current issue and see the article “Overseas Military/Diplomatic Mail.”
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 of address.
2 PAL is a service that provides air transportation for parcels on a space-available basis. It 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.
*** GXG Notes: 1) Cutoff date does not take into account time needed for customs clearance and 2) Should allocate extra transit day(s) for delivery outside major cities.
* Provides mailing guidelines for foreign postal partners in order to meet December 25 delivery.
2013 Holiday Season Import Dates
December 14 Last day to send priority packages via air transportation
December 16 Last day to send letters, flats and small packages via air transportation
December 17 Last day to send Express Mail Service items (any shape)
Mail class by code:
LC = Letters, aerogramme’s (USPS no longer offers outbound aerogramme’s), cards and letter package
AO = Newsppaers, magazines, matter for the blind, printed matter, small package
CP = Packages — priority (air)
Please post on all bulletin boards.
— International Operations, Global Business, 10-17-13