The deadline is approaching if you want packages shipped by the U.S. Postal Service to arrive by Christmas to members of the military serving in the Middle East.

Those packages must be shipped by Tuesday, Dec. 4.

Sonny Magnuson, supervisor of customer service at the Rapid City post office, said military mail sent to other international destinations should be sent by Dec. 11.

"The biggest thing is to be sure you are using a proper container for shipping," Magnuson said. "And be sure the package is labeled well."

Magnuson said each country has different rules on what items cannot be shipped there, but most of the things people send during the holidays, such as candy, snacks and other small gifts, are not prohibited.

Some items such as alcohol and weapons are prohibited, but Magnuson said not many people try to ship those things.

Magnuson said customs forms must also be filled out for any packages going overseas. Those forms are available at the post office.

The U.S. Postal Service has created a special mailing and shipping kit designed specifically for people sending packages to people in the military overseas.

Care Kits are free of charge to those sending packages to military members. They contain two priority mail boxes, six priority mail flat-rate boxes, eight labels, one roll of packing tape and eight customs forms with envelopes.

Magnuson said those flat-rate boxes are a value because they cost $8.95 to mail regardless of weight or destination.

"A lot of people like the flat-rate packaging because they don't have to worry about how much it will cost when they get to the post office," he said.

International rates do not apply to military mail delivery. Regardless of destination, all military mail is sent with domestic mail rates.

The U.S. Postal Service expects to deliver 20 million pounds of mail to military destinations worldwide this holiday season.

All packages and mail must be addressed to individual service members, as required by U.S. Department of Defense regulations.

Magnuson said to be sure to legibly print the name of the recipient and a return address.

"It's even a good idea to put some tape over the names so nothing smears it during the trip," he said.

Holiday postal deadlines

Dec. 4 - Deadline for military mail to get to Iraq or Afghanistan by Christmas

Dec. 11 - Deadline for mail to get to all other international military destinations by Christmas

Dec. 15 - Parcel post deadline to arrive by Christmas

Dec. 17 - The busiest mailing day of the year

Dec. 19 - The busiest delivery day of the year

Dec. 20 - First-class mail and priority mail deadline to arrive by Christmas

Dec. 22 - Express mail deadline to arrive by Christmas

- Source: U.S. Postal Service

Contact Katie Brown at 394-8318 or katie.brown@rapidcityjournal.com