Planning ahead key to mail arriving on time for holidays Published Nov. 2, 2011 By Senior Airman William A. O'Brien 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey -- As the holiday season approaches, base residents planning to send packages to loved ones in the United States should mail them early to ensure they arrive in time. Members of Team Incirlik with plans to receive shipments for the holidays should remind those back home to also think ahead. "If you don't have your things mailed out by the specified dates, there's a chance the mail won't get to your loved ones by the holidays," said Staff Sgt. Bryan Weatherman, 39th Communications Squadron Official Document Center custodian. "During this time of year, mail takes a little longer because once it arrives back in the states ... the airport there gets so much mail from overseas that they get back logged and don't have as much availability as they normally would the rest of the year." The U.S. Air Forces in Europe suggests sending items by the following dates: - Space-available mail - Nov. 25 - Parcel airlift mail - Dec. 2 - Priority mail - Dec. 9, 2011 - First-class letters and cards - Dec. 9, 2011 - Express mail - Dec. 16, 2011 Weatherman suggests Team Incirlik members add a day or two to these dates because of Incirlik's distance from the U.S. "These were chosen as the dates for all of USAFE," said Weatherman. "This is just the average for (Europe-based installations), give or take a day because we're a little farther from the states then say someone in England or Germany." Weatherman also reminds patrons that their shipments must clear customs, as normal and to ensure packages have necessary paperwork when needed. "If they're shipping rugs, if they're machine-made, that's no problem; but if it's handmade, they need to get a form from the vendor they purchased it from and place it in the box so when it goes through customs they see the form," explained Weatherman. "For shipping shotguns, you have to fill out an (application to transport firearms) form and that could take up to six weeks to get back and that has to travel with the parcel." To expedite movement through the lines, patrons can stop by the ODC's outgoing location prior to dropping off their packages for mail so they can have the proper paperwork filled out and ready when they get to the post office. For those unable to make it to the ODC during their normal operating hours or have a large number of packages going out, the ODC accepts scheduled appointments after duty hours. "To avoid long waits in line, have everything prefilled out when you arrive," said Weatherman. "We have the customs forms and boxes here, and we have examples how to fill it out properly if they have any questions. If they come here with everything ready, we can get everyone through line quicker because there isn't a hold up for each customer as they fill out their forms. "If you have a lot of boxes that need to be mailed out, you could always make an appointment with us before opening hours," said Weatherman. "We're more than happy to come in and get you taken care of." Here are a few mailing tips to ensure packages arrive safely and undamaged: - Print addresses clearly. - Include all address elements such as apartment numbers, suite numbers, directional information for streets, etc... - Select a box that is strong enough to protect the contents, and leave space for cushioning inside. - Package contents with shredded or rolled newspaper, bubble wrap or foam peanuts. Plain air-popped popcorn is also good for cushioning; it's inexpensive and environmentally friendly. Pack tightly to avoid shifting. - Always use tape that is designed for shipping, such as pressure-sensitive tape, nylon-reinforced tape, paper tape or glass-reinforced pressure-sensitive tape. - Stuff glass and fragile hollow items, like vases, with packing material to avoid damage due to shock. When mailing framed photographs, take the glass out of the frame and wrap it separately. - Remove batteries from toys. Wrap and place them next to the toys in the mailing box. - Do not use wrapping paper, string, masking tape, or cellophane tape. - Put the delivery and return addresses on only one side of the package. - Place an index card inside the package that contains the sender's address and the recipient's address along with a list of the contents. This will help postal employees to re-pack boxes that were improperly wrapped and came apart during transport, ensuring that the package is either sent to its destination or back to the sender. - Use Express Mail and Priority Mail boxes, envelopes, and tubes your post office provides. For more information or to schedule an after-hours appointment, call DSN 676-3150.