We CAN’T believe it’s almost that time of year again! Where in the world did the year go? Anyway, it’s time to start thinking about the military holiday mailing deadlines for our packages. Especially if we are overseas or sending to an overseas location, we have to think WAY ahead of Jingle Bells, reindeer, and Santa Clause!
And in some cases even before Jack-O-Lanterns and Turkeys!
Most stores put out Christmas before Halloween – why? I have never been able to figure out the reason they do this.
Even though this seems crazy to most of us, it makes getting into the holiday mood a little easier.
Despite having to think about sending my holiday packages early, Christmas is still one of my favorite times of the year. So putting together my packages to go back home to our families gets me excited. I love surprising them with trinkets we’ve found on our travels especially when we are stationed overseas or finding just the right gift they wanted.
So all the festive décor in the stores is just a friendly reminder that it’s time to put together those holiday boxes and get them in the mail to ensure our loved ones receive their Christmas wishes on time.
USPS’s Busiest Holiday Mailing Time
Thinking about Christmas gifts in October seems daunting. Unless you’ve been shopping all year long and if you do – YOU are my hero.
I always seem to wait till the last minute!
But if you want those gifts to loved ones to arrive BEFORE Christmas, you’ll need to pay attention to the mailing dates.
The US Postal Service now has a “busiest time” rather than “busiest day.” This “time” begins two weeks before Christmas. For this year, this would begin the week of December 9th and expected to increase with the week of December 16th.
Skip the Lines for mailing your military holiday packages
Long lines at the Post Office are to be expected during the holiday season. Some will be getting a head start and others, like me, will be rushing into the Post Office impatiently waiting in line to get them in the mail last minute!
But you can avoid all of that by using the Click-N-Ship® feature right from home to mail your holiday packages.
Sounds like a plan, huh?!
No standing in line with dozens of strangers – ok maybe you might run into the neighbor you’ve been avoiding, but skipping the lines sounds Ah – MAZING!
Visit USPS.com which is always open. So you can get your holiday packages ready to ship in your PJ’s at midnight if that is what works.
Then schedule a pick-up date for your postal delivery person to pick it up from your home. Or if you are already out in town running errands, you can drop off the holiday package in the package chute in your Post Office.
Important Notes About Mailing Military Care Packages
Starting October 1, 2019, for safety reasons, the Post Office will no longer accept any packages with stamped postage. This means using individual stamps as postage on packages larger than one-half inch thick and/or weighing more than ten ounces will not be accepted.
That’s a lot of stamps anyway and when I was a kid that was a lot of licking!
Therefore don’t delay your packages by following the new guidelines and avoid having them returned back to you.
Also, there is a BONUS during the holiday mailing season for military packages going overseas to an APO/FPO/DPO!
When sending packages to friends and loved ones serving in the military abroad, the US Postal Service offers a discounted price of $18.45 on its largest Priority Mail Flat Rate® Box. The price includes a $1.50 per box discount.
These boxes can be found at your local Post Office or online at store.usps.com/store/home.
Don’t forget the Customs Forms when mailing Military Holiday Packages Overseas
If you are mailing to an APO/FPO/DPO address then you are sending them to a foreign country. Therefore you will need to fill out a customs form with the contents of the box.
WAIT – you’re thinking that will be on the outside of the box. Yes, this is true…
So then the surprise of wrapped gifts inside is ruined?
Well, not exactly.
Be somewhat vague but truthful. For instance, if you are sending a shirt, PJ’s, and the dreaded socks (because someone always thinks we NEED them), you can write “clothes” on the form. Or maybe you’re sending Ninja Action Figures and a Barbie Car, then write “toys.” Because you know they are expecting toys, but they won’t know WHICH toys.
USPS Military holiday Mailing Deadline Dates
- APO/FPO/DPO To and From
- AE zip codes 090-092
- November 05 – Retail Ground/Standard Post
- Not Available – Space Available Mail (SAM)1
- Not Available – Parcel Airlift (PAL)2
- December 09 – Priority Mail
- December 09 – First-Class Letters/Cards
- December 16 – Priority Mail Express Military Service (PMEMS)3
- AE zip code 093
- November 05 – Retail Ground/Standard Post
- Not Available – Space Available Mail (SAM)1
- Not Available – Parcel Airlift (PAL)2
- December 09 – Priority Mail
- December 09 – First-Class Letters/Cards
- NO Priority Mail Express Military Service Available (PMEMS)3
- AE zip codes 094-099
- November 05 – Retail Ground/Standard Post
- Not Available – Space Available Mail (SAM)1
- Not Available – Parcel Airlift (PAL)2
- December 09 – Priority Mail
- December 09 – First-Class Letters/Cards
- December 16 – Priority Mail Express Military Service (PMEMS)3
- AA zip code 340
- November 05 – Retail Ground/Standard Post
- Not Available – Space Available Mail (SAM)1
- Not Available – Parcel Airlift (PAL)2
- December 09 – Priority Mail
- December 09 – First-Class Letters/Cards
- December 16 – Priority Mail Express Military Service (PMEMS)3
- AP zip codes 962-966
- November 05 – Retail Ground/Standard Post
- Not Available – Space Available Mail (SAM)1
- Not Available – Parcel Airlift (PAL)2
- December 09 – Priority Mail
- December 09 – First-Class Letters/Cards
- December 16 – Priority Mail Express Military Service (PMEMS)3
- AE zip codes 090-092
- Alaska to Mainland
- December 17 – First Class Mail
- December 17 – Priority Mail
- December 21 – Priority Mail Express
- Hawaii to Mainland
- December 17 – First Class
- December 17 – Priority Mail
- December 21 – Priority Mail Express
- Domestic Within 48 Contiguous States
- December 17 – Retail Ground/Standard Post
- December 17 – First-Class Letters/Cards and Packages (15.99oz +)
- December 19 – Priority Mail
- December 23 – Priority Mail Express
Keep in mind that delivery is not a guarantee unless otherwise noted or indicated to you when you mail the package by the postal employee. Dates are estimated to deliver before December 25th. However, the actual delivery date may vary depending on origin, destination, Post Office acceptance date and time, and other conditions.
It is recommended you check with local civilian or military post offices for information regarding size restrictions and customs declaration form requirements. Mailing restrictions apply and some items cannot be mailed. If in doubt, contact your local civilian or military post office.
APO – Army/Air Post Office
FPO – Fleet Post Office
DPO – Diplomatic Post Office
1SAM parcels are paid at USPS Retail Ground® prices with maximum weight and size limits of 15lbs and 60” in length and girth combined. SAM parcels are first transported domestically by surface and then to overseas destinations by are on a space-available basis.
2PAL is a service that provides air transportation for parcels on a space-available basis. PAL is available for USPS Retail Ground® items not exceeding 30lbs in weight or 60” in length and girth combined. The applicable PAL fee must be paid in addition to the regular surface price for each addressed piece sent by PAL service.
3PMEMS is available to selected military/diplomatic Post Offices facilities. Check with your local Post Office to determine if this service is available to an APO/FPO/DPO address.
Now you have an excuse to go shopping early and pack up those holiday boxes for loved ones.
want to remember these deadlines? pin to your favorite pinterest board for later.
Elizebeth is a seasoned military spouse, educator, mentor, and mom to a blended family of four children. She is dedicated to helping fellow spouses create a life they love. Elizebeth is the creator and founder of Home Anchor Following Seas where military spouses will find advice and information to help navigate the crazy military lifestyle.
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