SCHWEINFURT, Germany (Nov. 6, 2013) -- The 2013 holiday season mailing dates for postal customers assigned to the European theater are:

• Space Available Mail (SAM) -- Nov. 26
• Parcel Airlift (PAL) -- Dec. 3
• Priority Mail and First Class Letters -- Dec. 10
• Priority Mail Express -- Dec. 17

These dates are for mail originating in Europe and destined to locations in the United States. Mail originating in the U.S. and sent to European APO/FPO/DPO addresses use similar mailing dates.

All postal patrons should plan ahead and mail early to ensure letters, cards and packages arrive in time for the holidays.

Early mailing helps patrons avoid long lines at the post office and affords them an opportunity to use the least expensive option.

THE BOX

Choose a box with enough room for cushioning material around the contents. If you re-use a box, cover up or black out any old labels and markings.

CUSHIONING

Place cushioning around your items. Close and gently shake the box to see whether there is enough padding.

SEALING

Tape your box shut and reinforce the seams with two-inch wide tape. Use clear or brown packaging tape, reinforced packing tape or paper tape.

SIZE

The weight of your package cannot exceed 70 pounds. If you plan to use Priority Mail Express or Priority Mail services, the length plus girth (measurement around the thickest part of the package) should not exceed 108 inches.

When you use space available mail, or SAM, the total measurement cannot exceed 130 inches. Parcel airlift, or PAL, is a service that provides air transportation for parcels on a space-available basis. It is available for parcel post items not exceeding 30 pounds in weight or 60 inches in length and girth combined

CORRECT ADDRESS

Using a complete and correct address is critical for timely delivery. You are also reminded to always use your return APO address on all packages.

Visit the USAG Schweinfurt Post Office, Bldg. 55 at Conn Barracks, for additional information on the best service to use based on your mailing needs or call 09721-96-8208 or DSN 353-8208. Visit the USAG Bamberg Post Office, Bldg. 7116, to learn more or call 0951-300-8820/8510 or DSN 469-8820/8510. Visit the USAG Ansbach Post Office at Katterbach Kaserne, Bldg. 5817-B, to learn more or call 09802-83-2740 or DSN 467-2740 or at Storck Barracks, Bldg. 6508, to learn more or call 09841-83-4706 or DSN 467-4706.