US Postal Service Christmas Mailing Dates for Military Mail

from this USPS bulletin

2012 International and APO/FPO/DPO Christmas Mailing Dates

To ensure delivery of holiday cards and packages by December 25 to APO/FPO/DPO and international addresses over­seas, we suggest that mail be entered by the recommended mailing dates listed below. Beat the last-minute rush and take your mail to your U.S. Post Office^® by these suggested dates. And don’t forget you can print postage, labels, and Customs forms online 24/7 using Click-N-Ship^® service at www.usps.com/clicknship.

Remember, all mail addressed to military and diplomatic post offices overseas is subject to certain conditions or restric­tions regarding content, preparation, and handling. APO/FPO/DPO addresses generally require Customs forms. To see a table of active APO/FPO/DPO ZIP Codes™ and associated mailing restrictions, go to http://pe.usps.com and click Postal Bulletins in the blue sidebar. Go to the current issue and see the article “Overseas Military/Diplomatic Mail.”

APO/FPO/DPO Mail Addressed To	Express Mail® Military Service (EMMS)1	First-Class Mail® Letters/Cards	Priority Mail®	Parcel Airlift Mail (PAL)2	Space Available Mail (SAM)3	Parcel Post®
APO/FPO/DPO AE ZIPs 090–092	Dec 17	Dec 10	Dec 10	Dec 3	Nov 26	Nov 13
APO/FPO/DPO AE ZIP 093	N/A	Dec 3	Dec 3	Nov 30	Nov 26	Nov 13
APO/FPO/DPO AE ZIPs 094–098	Dec 17	Dec 10	Dec 10	Dec 3	Nov 26	Nov 13
APO/FPO/DPO AA ZIPs 340	Dec 17	Dec 10	Dec 10	Dec 3	Nov 26	Nov 13
APO/FPO/DPO AP ZIPs 962–966	Dec 17	Dec 10	Dec 10	Dec 3	Nov 26	Nov 13

1 EMMS is available to selected military/diplomatic post offices. Check with your local Post Office™ to determine if this service is available to your APO/FPO/DPO of address.

2 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. The applicable PAL fee must be paid in addition to the regular surface price for each addressed piece sent by PAL service.

3 SAM parcels are paid at Parcel Post prices with maximum weight and size limits of 15 pounds and 60 inches in length and girth combined. SAM parcels are first transported domestically by surface and then to overseas destinations by air on a space-available basis.