Timely tips for sending holiday mail to diplomatic citizens and deployed members of the military

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By David Rupert
Special to The PREVIEW

Ensuring those serving in the nation’s armed forces and diplomatic service receive their holiday mail in time is a priority for the U.S. Postal Service. Here are a few tips to keep in mind:

• Deadlines for Christmas delivery to U.S. military and APO/FPO depend on the destination. For most destinations, the following cutoff dates apply:

Priority packages and first-class cards and letters: Dec. 9.

Priority express mail: Dec. 16.

• The Postal Service offers a $2 discount on its largest flat rate priority box when sent to an APO/FPO/DPO address.

• USPS offers a free Military Kit consisting of: two Priority Mail APO/FPO/DPO flat rate boxes; two Priority Mail medium flat rate boxes; Priority Mail tape; and Priority Mail address labels.

To order the kit, call (800) 610-8734.

Always check with www.usps.com, which will provide packaging tips, prohibited items and other custom’s requirements.