Recommended dates for sending holiday mail

Tuesday, November 1st 2005, 10:21 am

By: News On 6

WASHINGTON (AP) _ With Halloween over many folks are beginning to concentrate on their holiday shopping. If gifts are being mailed overseas or to military personnel, the time to mail may come soon.

Parcel post items addressed to APO and FPO ZIP codes needs to be sent by Nov. 12, the Postal Service reports.

The recommended deadline is Nov. 26 for Space Available Mail, Dec. 3 for Parcel Airlift Mail, Dec. 5 for Priority Mail and first-class cards and letters to APO and FPO ZIP code beginning 093 and Dec. 10 for Priority and first-class mail to other APO and FPO Zip codes.

Suggested deadlines for civilian mail include:

Africa: Air parcels, cards and letters, Dec. 5; Priority Mail, Dec. 7; Express Mail, Dec. 10, Express Mail guaranteed, Dec. 19.

Asia and the Pacific Rim, Australia and New Zealand: Air parcels, cards and letters, Dec. 12; Priority Mail, Dec. 14; Express Mail, Dec. 16; Express Mail guaranteed, Dec. 19.

Canada: Surface mail, Nov. 18; air parcels, cards and letters, Dec. 12; Priority Mail, Dec. 14; Express Mail, Dec. 17; Express Mail guaranteed, Dec. 20.

Caribbean: Surface mail, Nov. 4; air parcels, cards and letters, Dec. 12; Priority Mail, Dec. 14; Express Mail, Dec. 16; Express Mail guaranteed, Dec. 19.

Central and South America: air parcels, cards and letters, Priority Mail, Dec. 5; Express Mail, Dec. 10; Express Mail guaranteed, Dec. 19.

Mexico: Surface mail, Nov. 4; air parcels, cards and letters, Dec. 12; Priority Mail, Dec. 14; Express Mail, Dec. 16; Express Mail guaranteed, Dec. 19.

Europe: Surface mail, Nov. 4; air parcels, cards and letters, Dec. 12; Priority Mail, Dec. 16; Express Mail, Dec. 16; Express Mail guaranteed, Dec. 19.

Middle East: Air parcels, cards and letters, Dec. 12; Priority Mail, Dec. 14; Express Mail, Dec. 16; Express Mail guaranteed, Dec. 19.