JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. –
Mailing packages to friends and family in the military overseas means the holiday season of giving will approach sooner than for most.
If planning to mail gifts and goodies via parcel post, a package will need to be on its way overseas by Nov. 12 to get it there by Dec. 25, according to recommended holiday shipping dates provided by the Military Postal Service Agency.
In the case of Hanukkah, which begins Dec. 1, a good buffer of 24 days is needed for a parcel post shipment.
The following are other recommended mail deadlines. To get it there by Hanukkah, subtract 24 days from each deadline.
· Space Available Mail (SAM): Nov. 20 to contingency locations (APO/FPO/DPO AE Zip 093); all other overseas military locations by Nov. 26.
· Parcel Airlift Mail (PAL): Dec. 1 to contingency locations; all others by Dec. 3.
· Priority Mail: Dec. 4 to contingency locations; all others by Dec. 10.
· First-class cards and letters: Dec. 4 to contingency locations; all others by Dec. 10
· Express Mail Military Services: Not available to contingency locations; other locations by Dec. 18. Check with the local post office to determine if this service is available to a particular APO/FPO/DPO address.