Deadlines for holiday mail to troops announced

Are you planning to mail holiday packages to troops in Afghanistan in Iraq? The U.S. Postal Service issued its holiday deadlines Wednesday, urging customers to plan ahead.

(Image courtesy of Postal Museum Blog)

The recommended mailing date for Parcel Post packages -- the most economical option -- is Nov. 12. Mail sent to overseas military addresses is charged domestic mail prices only. Friends and family can mail a Priority Mail large flat rate box to service members at a discounted rate of $12.50.

First class mail letters and cards should be sent by early December and Express Mail Military Service packages must be sent by Dec. 18 in order to arrive by Christmas Day, USPS said.

Mail addressed to overseas military post offices is subject to certain restrictions regarding what can be sent, and how the packages are handled. (See them here or here.)