Photo By Staff Sgt. Jackie Sanders | Service members sending holiday mail should send packages at least two weeks ahead of...... read more read more
KANDAHAR, Afghanistan - Kandahar service members wishing to send mail or packages stateside in time for the holidays will need to mail items at least two weeks prior to the hopeful delivery date—items should be mailed by Dec. 10 at the latest to arrive before Dec. 25.
In addition to mailing things early, KAF members should keep in mind the following tips from the United States Postal Service Web site:
1. Send the package early
The tendency to procrastinate can lead to late shipments. Tech. Sgt. Andre Scott, 451st Air Expeditionary Wing mail clerk, recommends sending packages at least two weeks ahead of the desired arrival time. The USPS also offers a timeframe matrix for customers to use to get an estimate for the different shipping methods.
“It’s very important to ship holiday mail early,” Scott said. “When you send your package early, that allows it time to get back home and allows the postal service to get it through customs and to the appropriate address.”
According to the site, “The holidays mean sending gifts and greetings to friends, family, and loved ones around the world. Make sure you know the recommended dates if you’re hoping your gifts will arrive by December 25.”
Sending packages early gives the postal service enough time to move the package from one location to another.
“When you’re shipping it early, before you close the package up for final shipping, check the contents against the customs prohibited items list,” Scott said.
The customs prohibited items list is located on the USPS Web site.
2. Double check the address
One way to remember packages get to their appropriate destination is to have the correct address on the label. The extra few minutes it takes to review an address could save days or weeks in the shipping process.
“A lot of people forget to check their address on their packages and that ends with them getting sent back,” Scott said. “It’s easy to make mistakes when putting addresses on labels. Some people just fat finger the address, and if you don’t check it, the mail will get kicked back.”
3. Ensure the package
Senders should make sure their package is packed well in a sturdy container. Containers should be appropriate for their content.
According to the USPS Web site, “Shaking the boxes is a good way to make sure they’re well packed.”
Ensuring it’s well packed is one solution, but picking the right container should be a bigger concern Scott said.
“One problem I see a lot is when people don’t get the right container for their packages,” Scott said. “Boxes will get here crushed or broken, and that leads to the content being damaged or lost. That’s why I recommend insuring packages, especially when it comes to holiday packages.”
Scott said purchasing optional insurance means that if the content is lost or broken the sender can be reimbursed for the cost of the contents.
By following those three tips, service members can rest assured their holiday mail will arrive with little to no problems.
For more information about shipping packages check the USPS Web site or contact your unit mail clerk. To find unit mail clerk contact information, call the Kandahar Post Office at DSN 841-1117.
| Date Taken: | 11.20.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 11.20.2013 10:27 |
| Story ID: | 117070 |
| Location: | AF |
| Web Views: | 72 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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