Holiday Mailing Schedule Set (updated)

American Forces Press Service

Sept. 21, 1999, Sept. 21, 1999 – (Editor's Note: The 2002 holiday mailing deadlines can be found at the Military Postal Service “[link for 1999 no longer available]2002 International and Military Mail Christmas Dates” web page.)

Get those Christmas cards and packages in the mail early this year, Postal Service officials recommend.

In order to ensure Christmas delivery, cards and packages must be mailed by the following dates.

Military Mail Addressed to:	First-Class letters and cards/all Priority Mail	Parcel Airlift Mail (PAL)	Space- Available Mail (SAM)	Standard Mail
APO/FPO AE zip codes	Dec. 10	Dec. 3	Nov. 27	Nov. 6
APO/FPO AA zip codes	Dec. 10	Dec. 3	Nov. 27	Nov. 6
APO/FPO AP zip codes	Dec. 10	Dec. 3	Nov. 27	Nov. 6
Mail sent from overseas to U.S. zip codes	Dec. 5	Nov. 21	Dec. 1	not applicable

Parcel Airlift Mail is a special service that provides air transportation for parcels on a space-available basis. Officials advise that packages sent via PAL must not exceed 30 pounds in weight or 60 inches in length and girth combined.

Parcels paid for at the Space-Available Mail rate are transported domestically by surface and then to overseas destinations by air on a space-available basis. The maximum weight and size limits are 15 pounds and 60 inches in length and girth combined.

For letters and packages sent outside the United States but not to military addresses, the following deadlines apply.

International Mail Addressed to:	Air Letters and Cards	Air Parcel Post	Surface Mail
Africa	Dec. 2	Dec. 2	Oct. 25
Asia/Pacific Rim	Dec. 9	Dec. 9	Nov. 5
Australia/New Zealand	Dec. 9	Dec. 9	Nov. 5
Canada/Mexico	Dec. 13	Dec. 13	Nov. 26
Caribbean	Dec. 9	Dec. 9	Nov. 12
Central and South America	Dec. 2	Dec. 2	Nov. 5
Europe	Dec. 9	Dec. 9	Nov. 12
Middle East	Dec. 9	Dec. 9	Oct. 29