Press Release from Congresswoman Roybal-Allard.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	Contact: Media Relations
	202-268-2155 Release No. 070 www.usps.com

POSTAL SERVICE SETS OVERSEAS HOLIDAY MAIL DATES

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Postal Service today made available its 2003 Holiday Season recommended mailing dates for delivery to military overseas APO/FPO addresses and international destinations by Dec. 25, based on economical air and surface transportation.

To insure delivery of holiday greeting cards and packages, the Postal Service recommends mailing by the following dates. Items for delivery by Hanukkah should be mailed five days prior to the dates noted below.

Military Mail Addressed To First Class Mail Letters/Cards Priority Mail Parcel Airlift Mail (PAL) ^1/ Space Available Mail (SAM) ^2/ Parcel Post®

APO/FPO AE ZIPs 090- 099 Dec 11 Dec 11 Dec 4 Nov 28 Nov 13

APO/FPO AA ZIPs 340 Dec 11 Dec 11 Dec 4 Nov 28 Nov 13

APO/FPO AP ZIPs 962- 966 Dec 11 Dec 11 Dec 4 Nov 28 Nov 13

1/ PAL: A special service that provides air transportation for parcels on a space-available basis, PAL is available for Parcel Post® not exceeding 30 lbs. in weight or 60 inches in length and girth combined. The applicable PAL fee must be paid in addition to the regular surface rate of postage for each addressed piece sent by PAL service.

2/ SAM: Parcels paid at Parcel Post® postage rates are first transported domestically by surface and then to overseas destinations by air on a space-available basis. The maximum weight and size limits are 15 lbs. and 60 inches in length and girth combined.

International Mail Addressed To Global Airmail Letters & Cards Global Airmail Parcel Post Global Economy (Surface)

Africa Dec 8 Dec 8 Oct 16

Asia / Pacific Rim Dec 15 Dec 15 Oct 30

Australia / New Zealand Dec 15 Dec 15 Oct 30

Canada Dec 15 Dec 15 Nov 21

Caribbean Dec 15 Dec 15 Nov 7

Central & South America Dec 8 Dec 8 Nov 1

Mexico Dec 15 Dec 15 Nov 7

Europe Dec 15 Dec 12 Nov 7

Middle East Dec 15 Dec 15 Oct 23

International Addressing Tips

Place the city or town name and the province or state name on the next line after the street address information.
Put foreign postal codes, if known, in front of the city or town name and on the same line.
Write the name of the foreign country in capital letters on the last line of the address.

The Post Office that's always open: usps.com

With the holiday mailing season beginning soon, the Postal Service recommends that customers go on-line and visit the Post Office that never closes -- www.usps.com. Customers can calculate postage, obtain simplified customs forms and select an international mailing service that. s right for any mailing need. Visitors to the Postal Service. s home page can also purchase stamps, track and confirm mailings and even purchase greeting cards online.

New, Easy, Simple Customer. s Guide to Mailing

The Customer's Guide to Mailing provides clear, concise information on virtually everything consumer customers need to know about mailing. The free guide, available at Post Offices and online at www.usps.com, includes illustrations, tips and helpful information about changing an address, putting mail on temporary hold, and choosing extra services such as Insurance or Delivery Confirmation.

60,000 Additional Stamp Locations

Beyond visiting the web or the nation's 38,000 Post Offices, there are now 60,000 more locations to purchase stamps. Customers can obtain postage where they see "Buy Stamps Here" signage among 17,000 ATMs, and more than 40,000 supermarkets, drug stores and banks.

Packaging Tips

Select a box that is strong enough to protect the contents.
Leave space for cushioning inside the carton.
Cushion package contents with shredded or rolled newspaper, bubble wrap, or Styrofoam peanuts. Plain air-popped popcorn is also good for cushioning; it's inexpensive and environmentally friendly. Pack tightly to avoid shifting.
Always use tape that is designed for shipping, such as pressure-sensitive tape, nylon-reinforced craft paper tape, or glass-reinforced pressure-sensitive tape.
Do not use wrapping paper, string, masking tape, or cellophane tape.
Put the delivery and return addresses on one side only of the package.
Suggestion: Place a return address label inside the package.
Stuff glass and fragile hollow items, like vases, with newspaper or packing material to avoid damage due to shock. When mailing framed photographs, take the glass out of the frame and wrap it separately.
Remove batteries from toys. Wrap and place them next to the toys in the mailing box.
Take packages that weigh at least one pound into the Post Office for mailing.
Purchase packaging products, including tape, envelopes, padded bags, corrugated boxes, mailing tubes, and cushioning material from your Post Office. Some locations offer decorative boxes and expander packs that are suitable for mailing gifts.

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Congresswoman Roybal-Allard
Washington, D.C., Office: 2330 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515. Phone: (202) 225-1766. Fax: (202) 226-0350.
District Office: 255 E. Temple St., Ste. 1860, Los Angeles, CA 90012-3334. Phone: (213) 628-9230. Fax: (213) 628-8578.

Military Mail Addressed To	First Class Mail Letters/Cards	Priority Mail	Parcel Airlift Mail (PAL) ^1/	Space Available Mail (SAM) ^2/	Parcel Post®
APO/FPO AE ZIPs 090- 099	Dec 11	Dec 11	Dec 4	Nov 28	Nov 13
APO/FPO AA ZIPs 340	Dec 11	Dec 11	Dec 4	Nov 28	Nov 13
APO/FPO AP ZIPs 962- 966	Dec 11	Dec 11	Dec 4	Nov 28	Nov 13

International Mail Addressed To	Global Airmail Letters & Cards	Global Airmail Parcel Post	Global Economy (Surface)
Africa	Dec 8	Dec 8	Oct 16
Asia / Pacific Rim	Dec 15	Dec 15	Oct 30
Australia / New Zealand	Dec 15	Dec 15	Oct 30
Canada	Dec 15	Dec 15	Nov 21
Caribbean	Dec 15	Dec 15	Nov 7
Central & South America	Dec 8	Dec 8	Nov 1
Mexico	Dec 15	Dec 15	Nov 7
Europe	Dec 15	Dec 12	Nov 7
Middle East	Dec 15	Dec 15	Oct 23