Too Late to Send APO Packages for Christmas?

[momof2inPA]

My sister and her husband are stationed in Okinawa. I sent their packages on Saturday by Priority Mail and am hoping they get there on time. One present her son is really counting on. Many other people at the post office were sending packages to the Middle East. My sisters is the states have not sent their Christmas packages to Japan yet, but I am sure they will soon.

For those with military overseas, have you sent your presents yet? How long do they usually take to get there and how do you think they get there the quickest-- US Postal or some other carrier?

Merry Christmas!

 

[doxdogy]

I will be sending mine to Germany tomorrow. The last date to mail is 12/11 (Thursday).

 

[MAC3]

I would like to know this as well. I am sending a support package to a friend to share with his comrades during the holidays. I hope they get it, if not then I suppose they will just enjoy it when it does arrive.

 

[momof2inPA]

Oh, thanks, I didn't know there was an official last date. Is this for all overseas?

 

[LuvN~Travel]

For Priority mail it should be okay for another day or so. However, the last recommended day for parcel post was 11/13. If it is really important, you may see if they have express service as well to a particular zip. Unfortunately, they don't have it to all APO/FPO zips, especially the ones in the middle east. Good luck! Kim

 

[legs22]

I was told that 11/15 was the deadline to ship overseas to the military for Christmas delivery. I mailed a package that day that was going to my brother in Iraq. It took 3 weeks for him to get it.
I was also told that it doesn't matter if you ship it express or priority. That just gets it to the military shipping place. Then the military takes over the shipping and the express and priority does not apply.

 

[Bon Bon]

WASHINGTON (Army News Service, November 14, 2003) – Christmas is a month away, but individuals only have half that time to get their packages to deployed troops in time for the holidays.

The deadline to get packages to the Central Command area in time for Christmas is Dec. 4 by First Class or Priority Mail, according to the United States Postal Service.

The key to getting packages to deployed troops on time is not only meeting the deadline, officials said, but also making sure everything is spelled correctly, to include the recipient’s full name, unit and address.

The best packages to mail are smaller ones, the size of a large shoebox, that weigh one to 20 pounds, said Navy Lt. Cmdr. Brian Lomax, the chief of Plans and Policy with the Military Postal Service Agency. Other rules to remember is that troops serving in operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom cannot receive pork products, alcohol beverages, pornographic material or religious items against the Islamic faith, Lomax said.

The Department of Defense urges the general public not to send unsolicited mail, care packages or donations to service members deployed unless they are a family member, loved one or personal friend of a troop.