Holiday mailing

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Charles Smith
  • 48th Communications Squadron
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England --  The holiday season is lining up for final approach. The chill of the changing seasons and the excitement of what is to come is filling the air. What a wonderful time for celebrating, spending time with friends and loved ones and, of course, gift giving.

Everyone at RAF Lakenheath will send and receive parcels filled with gifts from loved ones around the world. Your RAF Lakenheath Post Office is preparing for the holiday's huge increase in mail volume that will occur through the first week of January.

During the 2008 holiday season, the RAF Lakenheath Post Office processed more than two million pounds of mail from Nov. 15, 2008 to Jan. 15. This would not have been possible without help from our community. To assist with your holiday mailings, the post office is expanding operating hours from Nov. 16 to Jan. 8 and offering a few tips for an efficient and enjoyable experience.

Expanded operating hours: The parcel pickup window is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to midnight except Dec. 24, when the hours will be 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Dec. 31 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The postal finance section hours are Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The post office is closed for all federal holidays and the postal finance section is closed for federal holidays, family days and Dec. 31.

Holiday deadlines: To ensure your gifts arrive by Dec. 25, please mail your items to the U.S. before Nov. 25 for space available mail, Dec. 11 for first class and priority mail; and Dec. 18 for express mail.

Have mail ready to send: Mailing addresses should be clearly written on the box or printed labels used with the return address on the upper-left-hand corner. Use proper names in the "to" and "from" address; this will reduce common addressing mistakes and help your mail arrive at its destination on time. Custom forms must list everything contained in the package. Generic terms such as gift or present cannot be used.

How to prevent returned mail: If you are going on leave or temporary duty for longer than 15 days, notify the post office. We will place your mail on hold, which will prevent packages from being "returned to sender", or you can appoint an authorized user of your post office box to pick up your mail during your absence. Packages that remain on our shelves longer than 15 days will be returned to sender if a mail hold is not established. Simply stop by customer service at the post office to fill out the proper paperwork.
Check your mail regularly: During the holiday season, the post office runs out of storage space. Please help us help you by checking your mail every two to three days, or more if expecting packages.

Come when business is slow: The post office traditionally experience rushes at opening, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 5 to 6 p.m. If you can avoid these times, you may find that there is no waiting to send or pick up mail.

Mailing restrictions: Many people want to send gifts such as wine, alcohol and meat products. These items are restricted and cannot be mailed through the military postal system. If you have questions about restricted items, please contact the post office, or ask a postal clerk during your next visit. If customs inspections find unauthorized items this could result in prosecution and/or your military post office privileges being revoked.

Home-based businesses/items for resale: Post office privileges may not be used to support a home-based business or items intended for resale because Department of Defense appropriated funds pay transportation fees from New York to overseas theaters.