WASHINGTON , DC,, Oct. 7, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ensuring those serving in the nation's armed forces and diplomatic service receive their presents, care packages and cards in time for the holidays is a priority for the U.S. Postal Service and for friends and family members of military and diplomatic personnel serving around the world.
To help get packages on their way, the Postal Service offers a $2 per box postage discount on its largest Priority Mail Flat Rate box at $15.90 for mail being sent to APO/FPO/DPO (Air/Army Post Office, Fleet Post Office and Diplomatic Post Office) destinations worldwide.
Priority Mail Flat Rate boxes are available at no cost at local Post Offices and online at shop.usps.com. Postage, labels and customs forms can be printed online anytime using Click-N-Ship.
To ensure timely delivery of holiday wishes by Dec. 25, the Postal Service recommends that cards and packages be sent to military APO/FPO/DPO addresses overseas no later than the mailing dates listed in the attachment or online.
The Postal Service has created a free Military Care Kit based on the items most frequently requested by military families. The kit contains:
- Two Priority Mail APO/FPO/DPO flat rate boxes.
- Two Priority Mail Medium flat rate boxes.
- Priority Mail tape.
- Priority Mail address labels.
- Appropriate customs forms.
To order the kit, call 800-610-8734. Guidelines for packing, addressing and shipping items to U.S. troops can be found at usps.com/ship/apo-fpo-dpo.htm. To order flat-rate boxes featuring the "America Supports You" logo, go to store.usps.com.
Addressing the Package
- Write out the service member's full name in the address.
- Include the unit and APO/FPO/DPO address with the 9-digit ZIP Code (if one is assigned). For example:
Army/Air Post Office (APO)
PFC JOHN DOE
PSC 3 BOX 4120
APO AE 09021
Fleet Post Office (FPO)
SEAMAN JOSEPH SMITH
UNIT 100100 BOX 4120
FPO AP 96691
Diplomatic Post Office (DPO)
JOHN ADAMS
UNIT 8400 BOX 0000
DPO AE 09498-0048
- Do not write the country name where the service member is stationed in the address.
- Include a return address.
- Include the service member's name and address as well as the sender's name and address on an index card inside the package in case the shipping label gets damaged in transit.
Additional Deadlines
Domestic mailing and shipping deadlines are as follows:
- Standard Post - Dec. 15
- First-Class Mail - Dec. 19
- Priority Mail - Dec. 21
- Priority Mail Express - Dec. 23
Complete mailing and shipping deadlines for domestic and international services, as well as additional tips and guidelines, can be found here.
The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.
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