Time to think about getting those gifts and cards ready to go!!!
It’s October, and goodness knows this year has thrown so much of the unexpected at us (we’re looking at you, COVID-19). While many of us love surprises, there are those who prefer their lives to be planned and routine. With that in mind, there are a few things you can rely upon:
» the holiday season,
» shipping deadlines,
» the Postal Service to deliver for Yule.
Knowing the ever-important military and domestic shipping deadlines will help get your holiday gifts and greetings where they need to go on time, no matter where your loved ones may be.
The following are the mailing and shipping deadlines for expected delivery by Dec. 25 to domestic and Air/Army Post Office/Fleet Post Office/Diplomatic Post Office addresses*.
*Not a guarantee, unless otherwise noted. Dates are for estimated delivery before Dec. 25. Actual delivery date may vary depending on origin, destination, Post Office location acceptance date and time and other conditions. Some restrictions apply. For Priority Mail Express shipments mailed Dec. 22 through Dec. 25, the money-back guarantee applies only if the shipment was not delivered, or delivery was not attempted, within two (2) business days
For those with loved ones overseas the Postal Service has a free Military Care Kit based on the items most frequently requested by military families.
The kit contains:
» two Priority Mail APO/FPO/DPO Flat Rate Boxes
» four 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 online. To order flat-rate boxes featuring the “America Supports You” logo, go to usps.com/freeboxes.
The Postal Service also offers a discounted price of $19.60 on its largest Priority Mail Flat Rate box. The price includes a $1.50 per box discount for mail sent to APO/FPO/DPO (Air/Army Post Office/Fleet Post Office/Diplomatic Post Office) destinations worldwide.
How to mail a package
In case you’ve forgotten how to properly pack and ship a package, the Postal Service offers shipping tips in 10 video how to guides. Each video is less than three minutes long and shows how to address packages, ship packages and pack a box so items arrive safely.
Additional news and information, including all domestic, international and military mailing and shipping deadlines, can be found at the Postal Service Holiday Newsroom: usps.com/holidaynews.