United States Postal Service is Making it Easier to Support the Troops this Holiday Season
The U.S. Postal Service is offering discounted shipping of presents and cards to military members this holiday season.
Once again this year, The postal service has rolled several discounts for family members and loved ones of service members.
Among other benefits, those sending packages in the largest priority mail boxes would receive a discounted price of $17.40
These flat rate boxes are free at local post offices or can be purchased online.
Since Priority Mail supplies are the packaging of choice for families preparing care packages for service members overseas, the Postal Service created a “military care-kit” based on the items most frequently requested by military families. The kit is free year round, and each box is emblazoned with “America Supports You,” which is sure to comfort those who are away from home.
The kit contains:
- Two Priority Mail APO/FPO/DPO 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-dpo.htm. To order Flat-Rate Boxes featuring the “America Supports You” logo, go to usps.com/freeboxes.
Addressing the Package
Write the service member’s full name
Include the unit and APO/FPO/DPO address with the 9-digit ZIP Code (if one is assigned). For example:
Army/Air Post Office (APO)
PFC JOHN DOE
PSC 3 BOX 4120
APO AE 09021
Fleet Post Office (FPO)
SEAMAN JOSEPH SMITH
UNIT 100100 BOX 4120
FPO AP 96691
Diplomatic Post Office (DPO)
JOHN ADAMS
UNIT 8400 BOX 0000
DPO AE 09498-0048
Do not write the country name where the service member is stationed in the address
Include a return address
Inside the box, include the service member’s name and address as well as the sender’s name and address on an index card in case the shipping label gets damaged in transit
Delivering Holiday Cheer to Diplomatic and Military Service Members Worldwide
U.S. Postal Service Recommended Mailing Dates
October 9, 2018 (Press Release)
WASHINGTON-The holiday season is the most wonderful time of the year, but many people miss loved ones who are stationed overseas as military or diplomatic members. While the holidays are a hard time to be away from home, the U.S. Postal Service makes it a priority that those serving their country will receive their presents, care packages and cards in time for the holidays no matter where they may be.
To send packages to loved ones serving in the military and diplomatic posts abroad, the Postal Service offers a discounted price of $17.40 on its largest Priority Mail Flat Rate Box.
Priority Mail Flat Rate Boxes are available at no cost at local Post Offices and online at shop.usps.com. Postage, labels and customs forms can be printed online anytime using Click-N-Ship at usps.com/ship.
To ensure timely delivery of holiday wishes by Dec. 25, the Postal Service recommends that cards and packages be sent to military APO/FPO/DPO addresses overseas no later than the mailing dates listed below.
Military Mail Addressed To and From--APO/FPO/DPO AE ZIPs 090-092
Dec. 18 Priority Mail Express Military Service
Dec. 11 First-Class Letters and Cards
Dec. 11 Priority Mail
Dec. 4 Parcel Airlift
Nov. 27 Space Available Mail
Nov. 6 Retail Ground
Military Mail Addressed To and From --APO/FPO/DPO AE ZIP 093
N/A
Dec. 4 First-Class Letters and Cards
Dec. 4 Priority Mail
Dec. 4 Parcel Airlift
Nov. 27 Space Available Mail
Nov. 6 Retail Ground
Military Mail Addressed To and From--APO/FPO/DPO AE ZIPs 094-098
Dec. 18 Priority Mail Express Military Service
Dec. 11 First-Class Letters and Cards
Dec. 11 Priority Mail
Dec. 4 Parcel Airlift Mail
Nov. 27 Space Availalbe Mail
Nov. 6 Retail Ground
Military Mail Addressed To and From--APO/FPO/DPO AA ZIP 340
Dec. 18 Priority Mail Express Military Service
Dec. 11 First-Class Letters and Cards
Dec. 11 Priority Mail
Dec. 4 Parcel Airlift Mail
Nov. 27 Space Availalbe Mail
Nov. 6 Retail Ground
Military Mail Addressed To and From--APO/FPO/DPO AP ZIPs 962-966
Dec. 18 Priority Mail Express Military Service
Dec. 11 First-Class Letters and Cards
Dec. 11 Priority Mail
Dec. 4 Parcel Airlift Mail
Nov. 27 Space Availalbe Mail
Nov. 6 Retail Ground
2018 Holiday Shipping Deadlines
The Postal Service recommends the following mailing and shipping deadlines for expected delivery by Dec. 25 to Air/Army Post Office/Fleet Post Office/Diplomatic Post Office and domestic addresses*:
• Nov. 6 – APO/FPO/DPO (all ZIP Codes) USPS Retail Ground®
• Dec. 4 – APO/FPO/DPO (ZIP Code 093 only) Priority Mail® and First-Class Mail®
• Dec. 11 – APO/FPO/DPO (all other ZIP Codes) Priority Mail and First-Class Mail
• Dec. 14 – USPS Retail Ground
• Dec. 18 – APO/FPO/DPO (except ZIP Code 093) USPS Priority Mail Express®
• Dec. 20 – First-Class Mail (including greeting cards)
• Dec. 20 – First-class packages (up to 15.99 ounces)
• Dec. 20 – Hawaii to mainland Priority Mail and First-Class Mail
• Dec. 20 – Priority Mail
• Dec. 20 – Alaska to mainland Priority Mail and First-Class Mail
• Dec. 22 – Alaska to mainland Priority Mail Express
• Dec. 22 – Hawaii to mainland Priority Mail Express
• Dec. 22 – Priority Mail Express
*Not a guarantee, unless otherwise noted. Dates are for estimated delivery before December 25. Actual delivery date may vary depending on origin, destination, Post Office acceptance date and time and other conditions. Some restrictions apply. For Priority Mail Express® shipments mailed December 22 through December 25, the money-back guarantee applies only if the shipment was not delivered, or delivery was not attempted, within two (2) business days.
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