Christmas mailing deadlines nearing
By Kenneth Fine
Published in News on November 26, 2010 1:46 PM
They might be thousands of miles from home -- and aren't set to return to Seymour Johnson Air Force Base until after the New Year -- but the more than 700 members of the 4th Fighter Wing currently deployed to Afghanistan can still be a part of their family's Christmas.
There is still time to get a holiday package in the mail for those loved ones currently serving overseas, postal officials said.
But the deadlines -- they are different depending on what you mail and how you chose to mail it -- are fast approaching.
To get a letter, card or package to its destination by Christmas, mail items by the following dates:
* 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 your local post office to determine if this service is available to a particular APO/FPO/DPO address.
Deadlines for holiday domestic and international non-military mailings through the United States Postal Service are also approaching quickly. Depending on the type of service selected, items to domestic or international locations should be mailed by the following dates to make sure the package or letter arrives by Dec. 25:
* United States: Parcel Post, Dec. 15; First Class Mail, Dec. 20; Priority Mail, Dec. 21; Express Mail International, Dec. 22
* Canada: First Class Mail, Dec. 10; Priority Mail, Dec. 13; Express Mail International, Dec. 17
* Mexico: First Class Mail, Dec. 10; Priority Mail, Dec. 10; Express Mail International, Dec. 16
* Europe: First Class Mail, Dec. 10; Priority Mail, Dec. 13; Express Mail International, Dec. 16
* Australia: First Class Mail, Dec. 10; Priority Mail, Dec. 10; Express Mail International, Dec. 16
* Africa: First Class Mail, Dec. 3; Priority Mail, Dec. 3; Express Mail International, Dec. 11
* Asia/Pacific Rim: First Class Mail, Dec. 10; Priority Mail, Dec. 10; Express Mail International, Dec. 16