DENVER, CO - The U.S. Postal Service has recently announced its recommended mailing dates for delivery by Christmas to our U.S. military troops serving overseas at APO/FPO addresses.

Holiday mail for our U.S. troops stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan should be sent by Dec. 4 for arrival by Christmas. Holiday mail going to other military overseas APO/FPO locations should be sent by Dec. 11. Except for military mail going to Iraq and Afghanistan (APO/FPO AE ZIP 093), Express Mail can also be used to mail packages to other overseas military locations until Dec. 18 for delivery by Christmas.

2009 OVERSEAS MILITARY HOLIDAY MAILING DEADLINES

Military Mail Addressed To Express Mail® Military Service (EMMS)1/ First-Class Mail Letters/Cards Priority Mail® Parcel Airlift Mail(PAL) 2/ Space Available Mail(SAM) 3/ Parcel Post

APO/FPO AE ZIPs 090-092 Dec 18 Dec 11 Dec 11 Dec 4 Nov 28 Nov 13

APO/FPO AE ZIP 093 N/A Dec 4 Dec 4 Dec 1 Nov 21 Nov 13

APO/FPO AE ZIPs 094-098 Dec 18 Dec 11 Dec 11 Dec 4 Nov 28 Nov 13

APO/FPO AA ZIPs 340 Dec 18 Dec 11 Dec 11 Dec 4 Nov 28 Nov 13

APO/FPO AP ZIPs 962-966 Dec 18 Dec 11 Dec 11 Dec 4 Nov 28 Nov 13

As for domestic deadlines and using regular mail, send holiday cards, letters and packages going to U.S. destinations by December 21 for delivery by Christmas. Using Express Mail, you still have time to mail packages to certain U.S. locations until Dec. 23. The Postal Service has not announced the official deadlines for mailing overseas to other international countries yet but will soon.

Mail sent to overseas military addresses is charged at domestic mail prices. Flat-Rate Priority Mail boxes offer the best flat rate price or value for holiday package shipping. Customers can use Priority Mail Flat-Rate boxes to ship anywhere in the U.S., or to our troops overseas. The contents for Priority Mail Flat-Rate boxes can be any weight for one low rate. If it fits, it ships.

The domestic mail price for the Priority Mail Large Flat-Rate Box is $13.95, but for packages sent to military APO/FPO addresses overseas the price is reduced to only $11.95. Additional discounts are available for customers printing their Priority Mail postage labels online at www.usps.com and using Click-N-Ship.

Flat-Rate boxes are free at any Post Office, or can be ordered online at shop.usps.com. Postage, labels and customs forms can be printed online any time using Click-N-Ship at www.usps.com.

All packages and mail must be addressed to individual service members by name, in accordance with U.S. Dept. of Defense regulations. All military overseas units are assigned an APO or FPO ZIP Code and, in many cases, that ZIP Code travels with the unit. The Postal Service places APO/FPO mail on special transportation to be delivered to our military troops overseas as soon as possible.

The Postal Service continues to show support to those serving in the armed forces by offering free Military Care Kits, designed specifically for military families sending packages overseas. The mailing kits can be ordered by phone by calling 1-800-610-8734 and asking for the Military Care Kit. Each kit includes two "America Supports You" large Priority Mail Flat-Rate boxes, four medium-sized Priority Mail Flat-Rate boxes, six Priority Mail labels, one roll of Priority Mail tape and six customs forms with envelopes.

Military Overseas Mailing and Packaging Tips

§ Priority Mail packaging products, including the Priority Mail Flat-Rate boxes, offer the best shipping value, and can be obtained FREE at any Post Office, or online at shop.usps.com. Customers receive a $2 discount for using the Priority Mail Large Flat-Rate Box to mail to any overseas military address, no matter the weight of the box, for just $11.95.

§ To save a trip to the Post Office, you can mail your packages from your home or business using Click-N-Ship with FREE package pickup. All you need is a computer with Internet access and a printer, a weight scale and credit card. Prepare your packages, go to www.usps.com.and access Click-N-Ship.

§ If you use a regular box, use one strong enough to protect the contents with no writing on the outside.

§ Cushion contents with newspaper, bubble wrap, or Styrofoam. Pack tightly to avoid shifting.

§ Package food items like cookies, fudge, candies, etc. securely in leak-proof containers.

§ Use pressure-sensitive or nylon-reinforced packing tape.

§ Do not use wrapping paper, string, masking tape, or cellophane tape outside the package.

§ Print the complete military service member's name, unit, and APO/FPO delivery address, and your return address on one side only of the package.

§ Place a return address label inside the package.

§ Stuff fragile items, like vases, with newspaper or packing material to avoid damage

§ Remove batteries from toys/appliances. Wrap and place them next to the items inside.

§ Purchase insurance and delivery confirmation service for reassurance of package delivery.

§ 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 updated APO and FPO addresses and mailing restrictions by individual APO/FPO ZIP Codes, Click here, select "Pull-Out Information" and click on "Overseas Military/Diplomatic Mail."

§ USPS packaging materials are eco-friendly and have received the highest green, recycling ratings.

§ Purchase other packaging products, including tape, envelopes, padded bags, corrugated boxes, and cushioning material from your Post Office.

§ Free military mailing kits can be ordered by calling 1-800-610-8734 and asking for the Care Kit.

§ Call 1-800-ASK-USPS (1-800-275-8777) or go to usps.com for more holiday mailing information.