Postal officials offer holiday mailing tips

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Nestor Cruz
  • 18th Wing Public Affairs
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --  'Tis the season to rush to the post office to send out holiday cards and packages. 

To make the holiday mailing experience smoother and quicker, the Kadena post office staff recently offered packaging tips and reminded people of mailing deadlines. 

While some deadlines have already passed, there are still deadlines people can meet, said Master Sgt. Sebastian Staten, 18th Communications Squadron assistant postmaster. 

The deadline for sending priority and first class mail is Dec. 5, and for express mail Dec. 13. For mail going to other APO or FPO addresses or deployed locations, Sergeant Staten recommends sending right away. 

"Some mail going downrange has to travel on an Air Mobility Command flight and sometimes missions get cancelled or there's no room on the plane," said Sergeant Staten. "So it's best to get mail out now." 

The Kadena Post Office is now open additional hours to help customers meet mailing deadlines and alleviate the holiday rush. Customers can purchase stamps and send packages at the finance section which is now open Mondays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., but registered mail will not be accepted due to low manning. The postal service window is open until 6 p.m., giving customers more time to pick up packages. 

"I recommend folks check their mail at least twice a day because we get shipments every day during the holiday season," said Sergeant Staten. "If our shelves are full, there will be no room for us to process incoming mail." 

There are a few things people can do to make their trip to the post office a bit smoother. 

"To expedite things, please make sure addresses are already filled out on all packages prior to approaching the postal counter," said Senior Airman Nicole Nelson, 18th CS postal finance clerk. "People also need to ensure they have the necessary customs forms for each package and all packages are sealed properly. If people approach the counter with unlabeled or unsealed packages, it slows everybody down." 

People can also help ensure their packages arrive at their destination by using approved packing materials. 

"Most packing materials are fine for packages, but please don't use masking tape or Scotch tape," said Airman Nelson. "If using brown paper to wrap packages, make sure to seal all edges and use sturdy boxes. It's fine to recycle a box once or twice, but after several uses, boxes get bent and worn and don't protect their contents very well." 

Postal officials recommend visiting the post office as early as possible, avoiding the 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. lunch crowd as well as the end-of-day crowd. 

Following these simple guidelines should help keep holiday mailers from feeling all wrapped up.