Holiday mailing tips and deadlines

  • Published
  • By Staff Reports
  • 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England --  Below are the 2012 recommended holiday mail deadline dates for U.S. military postal customers assigned to the U.K. Stateside mailers sending letters and packages to European APO/FPO/DPO addresses are using similar deadline dates.

Space available mail - Monday, Nov. 26
Parcel airlift mail - Monday, Dec. 3
Priority mail - Monday, Dec. 10
First class letters and cards - Monday, Dec. 10
Express mail military service - Tuesday, Dec. 18

Lakenheath postal patrons should plan ahead and mail early to ensure their letters, cards and packages arrive at their intended U.S. destinations in time for the holidays. Customers can avoid the long lines at the post office by mailing early and can take advantage of using the cheaper, although slower, space available mail service. SAM service takes longer to arrive at the end destination and moves on a space available basis once it arrives in the U.S.

For faster service, consider using priority mail or express mail military service. It costs more, but these classes of mail receive preferred or expedited service.

Keep in mind, packages transiting through the mail system are handled numerous times, therefore proper packaging is very important. The below mailing tips are provided to help ensure packages arrive safely and undamaged.

· Print or type addresses clearly with a pen or permanent marker. Avoid commas, periods or other punctuation. It helps your mail quickly process through USPS automated equipment.
· Include all address elements such as apartment numbers, suite numbers and directional information for streets.
· Put the delivery and return addresses on only one side of the package.
· Select a box that is strong enough to protect the contents, and leave space for cushioning inside the carton.
· Package contents with shredded or rolled newspaper, bubble wrap or foam peanuts. Plain air-popped popcorn is also good for cushioning; it's inexpensive and environmentally friendly. Pack tightly to avoid shifting.
· Always use tape that is designed for shipping such as pressure-sensitive tape, nylon-reinforced tape, paper tape or glass-reinforced pressure-sensitive tape.
· Stuff glass and fragile hollow items, like vases, with newspaper or packing material to avoid damage due to shock. When mailing framed photographs, take the glass out of the frame and wrap it separately.
· Remove alkaline batteries from toys and other electronic items.
· Do not use gift wrapping paper, string, masking tape or cellophane tape.
· Place an index card inside the package that contains the sender's address and the recipient's address along with a list of the contents. This will help postal employees to re-pack boxes that were improperly wrapped and came apart during transport, ensuring that the package is either sent to its destination or back to the sender.
· Use express mail and priority mail boxes, envelopes and tubes that your post office provides.

For more information, contact post office customer service at DSN 226-3548.