Sen. Carper Highlights Holiday Military Care Package Mailing Deadlines

WASHINGTON – Today, Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.) encouraged Delawareans planning on sending care packages to military personnel serving around the world to mail their packages early to ensure that they arrive in time for the holiday season. According to the U.S. Postal Service, the recommended mailing date for the most economical postage to overseas military destinations, including Iraq and Afghanistan, is Nov. 12, 2010.

"Holiday care packages are a great morale boost for the men and women in uniform serving our country in places far from home," said Sen. Carper. "The Postal Service is offering shipping discounts and free military care kits to show support for service members stationed overseas during the holidays. I encourage Delawareans to take advantage of these resources and keep the Postal Service’s recommended mailing dates in mind as they prepare for the holiday season." said Sen. Carper.

To show support for those serving in the armed forces, the U.S. Postal Service is offering a discount on its largest Priority Mail Flat Rate Box. Mail sent to overseas military addresses is charged only domestic mail prices. The domestic mail price for the Priority Mail Large Flat Rate Box is $14.50, but the price is reduced to $12.50 for packages to APO/FPO addresses overseas. 

Additionally, the Postal Service is offering free Military Care Kits, designed specifically for military families sending packages overseas. The mailing kits include two "America Supports You" large Priority Mail Flat Rate boxes, four medium-sized Priority Mail Flat Rate boxes, six Priority Mail labels, one roll of Priority Mail tape and six customs forms with envelopes, and they can be ordered by calling 1-800-610-8734.

To ensure the delivery of holiday cards and packages by Dec. 25 to military APO/FPO addresses overseas, the Postal Service recommends that mail for service members be sent no later than the dates listed below.

MILITARY MAILING DEADLINES:

For more information about mailing letters and packages to military destinations, please visit http://www.usps.com/supportingourtroops/.