CHIÈVRES, Belgium -- The U.S. Army Benelux post offices will have extended hours of operation Nov. 6 to Dec. 15 for the finance windows and Nov. 13 to Jan. 5 for the package pick-up windows.
At the SHAPE and Chièvres locations, the finance window hours will be Monday to Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and the package pick-up window hours will be the same days from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. At the Brussels location, the finance window will be open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The package pick-up window will have the same hours of operation with the exception of Wednesday hours being 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
In the Netherlands, the Schinnen location's finance window will be open Tuesday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The package pick-up window will be open on the same days from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. At the Joint Force Command Brunssum location, the finance and package pick-up windows will be open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
During this timeframe, the post office will be closed on U.S. federal holidays including Veterans Day (observed Nov. 10), Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day.
Due to a high volume of shipments, the Directorate of Human Resources at U.S. Army Garrison Benelux, which operates the post offices, has listed deadlines for Europe to CONUS shipments -- Nov. 27 for space available mail, Dec. 11 for priority parcels and first class letters, and Dec. 15 for express mail.
To reduce the likelihood of recipients getting their packages late or senders getting returned packages, people need to make sure they are not sending prohibited items internationally.
According to the U.S. Postal Service's website, these items include aerosols, alcoholic beverages, air bags, ammunition, cigarettes, dry ice, explosives, fresh fruits and vegetables, gasoline, nail polish, perfumes (containing alcohol) and poison.
In addition, popular gift items like Kinder Eggs, chocolates containing liquid alcohol and meats are prohibited to ship to the United States. Meats without U.S. Department of Agriculture's approval are also not allowed.
Another reason why people may not receive their packages on-time is incorrect formatting of mailing addresses. For regular U.S. mailing address, the package or letter will need the recipient's full name on the first line, street address (including building and apartment numbers if specified for the recipient's address) on the second line and city, state and zip code on the third line.
For military post office addresses, the sender must include the recipient's full name on the first line, unit and box number on the second line, and APO/FPO/DPO address with the nine-digit zip code (if one is assigned). For example:
Army/Air Post Office (APO):
PFC JANE DOE
PSC 3 BOX 4120
APO AE 09021
When shipping to APO/FPO/DPO addresses, USPS advises senders to not write the country name where the recipient is stationed in the address. The sender should also include a return address and an index card, inside the package, with the recipient's full address, in case the shipping label gets damaged in transit.
Another reason why packages are delivered late is when the sender ships a reused box or packaging. These items are only acceptable when all markings and labels are removed or completely blotted out. Regardless of what is actually inside the package, markings for hazardous materials may result in delivery delays or a package return, according to USPS.
If someone plans to ship packages and mail to APO addresses in Belgium and the Netherlands, USPS listed the following deadlines to ensure timely delivery: Nov. 6 for retail ground, Nov. 27 for space available mail, Dec. 4 for parcel airlift mail, Dec. 11 for priority mail and first-class letters and cards, and Dec. 16 for priority mail express military service.
Postage, labels and custom forms can be printed online anytime using Click-N-Ship at www.usps.com/ship. According to USAG Benelux DHR, the label must be dated for the day of shipment. Custom forms are also available at the post offices.
For more information about shipping items home, visit www.usps.com.
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