For military service members stationed around the globe, holiday gifts are a big morale boost. The Postal Service expects to process more than 30 million pounds of mail destined for overseas military installations during November and December, including war zones in Iraq and Afghanistan.

To ensure delivery of holiday cards and packages by December 25 to APO/FPO addresses overseas, the Postal Service recommends that Priority Mail for service members in war zones (ZIP Codes beginning with 093) be sent by December 4. Sending Priority Mail to any other APO/FPO ZIP Code should be done by December 11.

Mail sent to overseas military addresses is charged only domestic mail prices. The domestic mail price for the Priority Mail Large Flat Rate Box is $13.95, but for packages to APO/FPO addresses the price is reduced to $11.95. Additional discounts are available for customers printing their Priority Mail postage labels online at Click-N-Ship.

Mail addressed to military post offices overseas is subject to certain conditions or restrictions regarding content, preparation and handling. APO/FPO addresses generally require customs forms.

To see a table of active APO and FPO addresses and mailing restrictions by individual APO/FPO ZIP Codes, click on the Postal Explorer link below and click “Postal Bulletins” in the left column. Select the current issue and look for the heading “Overseas Military/Diplomatic Mail.

For mail going to U.S. addresses, the Postal Service anticipates December 14 as the busiest mailing day, with December 16, as the busiest delivery day.