Ship International Mail Online and Get it There on Time

Recommended Dates for International Holiday Mailing

WASHINGTON, Nov. 3 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Making the holiday connection with family and friends in faraway destinations around the globe is as easy as taking a trip to your home computer with usps.com. Whether you're sending holiday packages to Sydney, Stockholm or Singapore, the Postal Service makes international shipping a snap.

"Going online to usps.com makes international shipping easy," says Pranab Shah, managing director and vice president, Global Business. "Customers can fill out the required customs forms and print postage and address labels right from their computer. They can also get information on any special guidelines or requirements for mailing to foreign destinations."

Shah says online customers can also save on postage, order free shipping supplies or schedule free package pickup. Priority Mail Flat Rate boxes for international shipping are available in four sizes, with shipping prices starting as low as $10.95 to Mexico and Canada, or $12.95 to most countries. Flat-Rate boxes are free at any Post Office, or can be ordered online at usps.com. Postage, labels and customs forms can be printed online any time using Click-N-Ship.

The Postal Service recommends the following deadlines for international delivery of holiday cards and packages by Dec. 25:

        International       Global        Express      Priority    First-
             Mail           Express       Mail(R)       Mail(R)    Class
         Addressed To    Guaranteed(R) International International Mail(R)
                            (GXG)(1)      (EMS)(2)     (PMI)(3)
    -------------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- -------

    Africa                  Dec. 18       Dec. 12       Dec. 4     Dec. 4
    Asia/Pacific Rim        Dec. 18       Dec. 17       Dec. 11    Dec. 11
    Australia/New
     Zealand                Dec. 18       Dec. 17       Dec. 11    Dec. 11
    Canada                  Dec. 22       Dec. 18       Dec. 14    Dec. 11
    Caribbean               Dec. 21       Dec. 17       Dec. 14    Dec. 11
    Central & South
     America                Dec. 21       Dec. 12       Dec. 4     Dec. 4
    Mexico                  Dec. 22       Dec. 17       Dec. 11    Dec. 11
    Europe                  Dec. 21       Dec. 17       Dec. 14    Dec. 11
    Middle East             Dec. 18       Dec. 17       Dec. 14    Dec. 11

    (1) GXG is available to over 190 countries via an alliance with Federal
    Express. See a retail associate at participating locations for a complete
    list of countries and money-back guarantee details, or go to pe.usps.com
    and click on International Country Listings. Some restrictions apply.
    Purchase postage online and get 10 percent savings.

    (2) Express Mail International is available to over 190 countries with
    delivery in an average of three to five business days. Guaranteed, money-
    back service available to Australia, China, Hong Kong, Japan, Great
    Britain, Northern Ireland, Spain (except the Canary Islands) and Korea,
    Republic of (South Korea). Flat-rate shipping options are available with
    free packaging. Purchase postage online and get 8 percent savings.

    (3) Priority Mail International is available to over 190 countries with
    delivery in an average of six to 10 business days. Flat-rate shipping
    options are available with free packaging. Purchase postage online and
    get 5 percent savings.

The Postal Service receives no taxpayer dollars for operating expenses, and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.

An independent federal agency, the U.S. Postal Service is the only delivery service that reaches every address in the nation, 149 million residences, businesses and Post Office Boxes, six days a week. It has 34,000 retail locations and relies on the sale of postage, products and services, not tax dollars, to pay for operating expenses. Named the Most Trusted Government Agency five consecutive years by the Ponemon Institute, the Postal Service has annual revenue of $75 billion and delivers nearly half the world's mail.