2014 holiday-season mailing dates set Published Oct. 28, 2014 By USAFE-AFAFRICA RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany -- The 2014 holiday season mailing dates for postal customers assigned to the European theater have been set. The dates are: Space Available Mail (SAM) - 26 Nov 14 Parcel Airlift (PAL) - 3 Dec 14 First Class/Priority Mail - 10 Dec 14 Priority Mail Express - 17 Dec 14 These dates are for mail originating in Europe and destined to locations in the United States. Mail originating in the U.S. and sent to European APO/FPO/DPO addresses use similar mailing dates. U.S. Air Forces Europe and Air Force Africa postal patrons should plan ahead and mail early to ensure letters, cards, and packages arrive to intended U.S. destinations in time for the holidays, said Mr. Lionel Rivera, USAFE-AFAFRICA/A6 postal operations branch public affairs officer. Customers can avoid 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. "Space available mail service takes longer to arrive to end destination and moves on a space available basis once it arrives in the states," said Mr. Rivera. "If you want faster service, consider using priority mail or priority mail express service. It costs more but these classes of mail get preferred and or expedited service." Most mail accepted at military post offices in Europe is flown to the U.S. on commercial aircraft. Once mail arrives in America, depending on the service you selected, it's transported based on the service you paid for. Costumers should keep in mind, packages transiting through the mail stream are handled numerous times, and therefore proper packaging is very important. The following USPS mailing tips are provided to help ensure packages arrive safely and undamaged: The Box Choose a box with enough room for cushioning material around the contents. If you're reusing a box, cover up or black out any old labels and markings. Cushioning Place cushioning around your items. Close and gently shake the box to see whether there is enough padding. Sealing Tape your box shut and reinforce the seams with 2" wide tape. Use clear or brown packaging tape, reinforced packing tape, or paper tape. Size The weight of your package cannot exceed 70 lbs. If you're planning to use Priority Mail Express or Priority Mail services for faster delivery, length plus girth (distance around the thickest part of the package) can't exceed 108." When you use Space Available Mail, the total can't be more than 130." Parcel Airlift Mail (PAL) is a service that provides air transportation for parcels on a space-available basis. It is available for Parcel Post items not exceeding 30 pounds in weight or 60 inches in length and girth combined Correct Address Using a complete and correct address is critical for timely delivery. 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.