USAFE releases 2011 holiday mailing deadlines

  • Published
  • By U.S. Air Forces in Europe A6/XM
RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany --  The 2011 recommended holiday mail deadline dates for postal customers assigned to the European theater of operations have been released. These dates are for mail originating in Europe and destined to locations in the United States. U.S. mailers sending letters and packages to military post offices abroad use similar deadlines dates.

The recommended deadlines are:

- Space Available Mail - Friday, Nov. 25, 2011
- Parcel Airlift Mail - Friday, Dec. 2, 2011
- Priority Mail - Friday, Dec. 9, 2011
- First Class Letters and Cards - Friday, Dec. 9, 2011
- Express Mail - Friday, Dec. 16, 2011

"Command postal patrons should plan ahead and mail early to ensure letters, cards and packages arrive at time for the holidays," said Lionel Rivera, U.S. Air Forces in Europe postal public affairs representative. Customers can avoid the historical long lines at the post office when they mail early and can take advantage of using the cheaper, although slower, space available mail service military post offices offer in Europe."

Mail accepted at military post offices in Europe is primarily flown to the U.S. on commercial aircraft. Once mail arrives in the U.S., it's transported based on the service you paid for.

"Space available mail service takes longer to arrive to end destination and moves on a space available basis," said Rivera. "Please keep in mind, that packages transiting through the mail stream are handled numerous times, therefore proper packaging is very important."

Here are a few mailing tips to ensure packages arrive safely and undamaged:

- Print addresses clearly.
- Include all address elements (i.e. apartment numbers, suite numbers, directional information for streets, etc.).
- Select a box that is strong enough to protect the contents and leave space for cushioning inside.
- 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 packing material to avoid damage due to shock. When mailing framed photographs, take the glass out of the frame and wrap it separately.
- Remove batteries from toys. Wrap and place them next to the toys in the mailing box.
- Do not use wrapping paper, string, masking tape, or cellophane tape.
- Put the delivery and return addresses on only one side of the package.
- 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 your post office provides.

Contact your local postmaster for additional information on how mail is dispatched and received at your location, and for advice on the best service to use based on your mailing needs.