Christmas Mailing Dates and Tips for International Mail
Get your Christmas cards and packages to your friends and family overseas - BEFORE Christmas!
The US Post Office has released the following recommended mailing dates to military APO/FPO addresses:
| MAIL TO |
1st Class
|
Priority
|
ParcelPost
|
|
| APO/FPO AE | Zips 090-098 |
12/11
|
12/11
|
11/6
|
| APO/FPO AA | Zips 340 |
12/11
|
12/11
|
11/6
|
| APO/FPO AP | Zips962-966 |
12/11
|
12/11
|
11/6
|
|
For other International Mail
|
|||
| MAIL TO |
AIR LTR
|
AIR
|
SURFACE
|
| Africa |
12/9
|
12/9
|
11/1
|
| Asia |
12/16
|
12/16
|
11/6
|
| Australia/NZ |
12/16
|
12/11
|
11/6
|
| Canada |
12/16
|
12/16
|
11/23
|
| Caribbean |
12/16
|
12/16
|
11/20
|
| C & S America |
12/9
|
12/9
|
11/6
|
| Mexico |
12/16
|
12/16
|
11/23
|
| Europe |
12/16
|
12/16
|
11/13
|
| Middle East |
12/16
|
12/16
|
11/1
|
For packages being sent overseas, a Customs declaration form must be sent with the package. We have these forms at our store for your convenience.
| Tip 1 | Before you giftwrap the items, jot down what the item is and then bring the list of items that will go in the package to us. If you have any way of determining the weight, please do so. But if it is not convenient for you to weigh the item, we can do that for you. |
| Tip 2 | When buying gifts for children (and adults, too), remember to think SMALL and LIGHTWEIGHT, unless you are prepared to spend a lot of money just shipping the gifts! |
| Tip 3 | Don't tape the box up until you get to us. We can add any additional packaging that might be necessary to insure your gifts make it without damage. And if your box is too big, we can cut it down for you, which will keep the items from sliding around and getting damaged. (If you don't have a box or packaging, just bring your giftwrapped items to us for the proper box and packing materials.) |
| Tip 4 | Think about a box weighing 70 lbs slamming down on your package and then pack your box with the cushioning it needs to arrive safely. |
| Tip 5 | Money has a way of disappearing in Customs... |
Posted October 15, 2002