How to fill out a USPS customs declaration

Did you know that you can calculate how much it will cost to ship your package... online?

That's right.

If you know the location you're sending to (zipcode or country), you can use the handy postage calculator at this website:

USPS shipping rate calculator

You can either enter the 'to' and 'from' Zipcodes to calculate a rate within the U.S., or you can use the drop-down menu to select the foreign country you want to ship to.

Then you just enter the weight (and size) of your package and click enter. You'll then be presented with the shipping options available for your parcel, including insurance or other services you might want to add. You can also learn about any restrictions or prohibitions on what can be shipped to the destination country.

You'll need an accurate scale to weigh your package (I found mine for a bargain price on eBay), but using this handy online calculator will save you an extra trip to the Post Office.

It's rough out there in the Postal Maelstrom. And you'll need to give your packages a fighting chance. Here are some tips:

If you don't want it to get bent, pack it so it CAN'T be bent.

Marking your package "Do Not Bend" means that the clerk you hand it to at the Post Office, and the carrier who delivers it on the other end 'probably' won't intentionally bend it.

But in between those two points, anything can happen.
So make sure you use plenty of cardboard or other stiffeners in the package to keep it from being bent.

Likewise, putting a "Fragile" sticker on your box does not insure that it will be handled with care every step of the way on its journey.

Most mail these days is handled by machines. While they do have machines that can read the address on a package, those machines are not programmed to be more careful when they 'see' a "fragile" sticker.

Use plenty of foam peanuts or bubble wrap when packaging fragile items. And if your item is breakable, pack it in one box, and put that box inside another, larger box with plenty of padding in between.

I always find the best deals on packing materials on eBay. They've got padded mailers, bubble wrap, foam peanuts, packing tape, and more...

The most common question about international shipping seems to be...

How do I fill out the customs forms?

The answer... carefully and correctly.

But, don't worry. It's not that hard.

In fact, the customs form has instructions for filling it out right on the back of the form.

But let's start out by deciding which form you'll need for your package. Yes, there are different customs forms, depending on the value and weight of your shipment.

Here's what the U.S. Postal Service says about choosing the correct customs form for your package:

"PS Form 2976 is required on all Priority Mail International Flat Rate Envelopes.

If the value of the contents is less than $400.00, affix Customs Form - PS Form 2976 to the exterior of the mailpiece.

If the value of the contents is $400.00 or more, affix the upper portion of the green customs label Customs Form - PS Form 2976 to the exterior of the mailpiece and place a completed Customs Declaration and Dispatch Note - PS Form 2976-A inside the package.

First-Class Mail International items weighing 16 ounces or more, and all potentially dutiable items regardless of their weight, require the applicable customs forms.

A customs form is not required on the following categories of mail:

Non-dutiable First Class Mail International items that weigh less than 16 ounces."

OK, so what do these forms look like and just how do I fill one out?

Form 2976 is shown at the top of this module. We'll be back soon to tell you how to fill it out 'step-by-step'.

You can pick up a copy of Form 2976 at any local Post Office.



There's a newer version of this form, with four parts, but the Post Office will still let you use this one (presumably until they run out of all the older copies).

You fill out the new one the same way; it's just arranged a little bit differently.

So, here goes:

The Customs Declaration form tells the customs office on the receiving end of your package just what's coming into their country and how much it's worth. They'll use this information to decide how much customs duty (if any) to charge to the package receiver.

I can't possibly go into all the details of customs duties here, but basically they are a tax assessed on incoming goods. The rates vary from one country to the next, and also according to the contents and value of the goods.

As the sender, you probably don't have to worry about duties and customs fees, since any customs charges will be collected from the receiver of the package.



The main sections on the right side of this form are pretty much self-explanatory.

In the top section, you write the sender's name and address (that's YOU).



In the next section, you fill in the name and adress of the addressee (that's the person you're sending it to.)
Be sure to include the Postal Code (if there is one), and put the country name on the bottom line.

In the next step, we'll get to the harder stuff.
HINT: It's really not that hard!

Now let's work on the pesky details.

At the top of the left side of the form, you'll see four boxes labeled Gift, Documents, Commercial Sample, and Other (the newer form also has a box for Merchandise). These categories tell the Customs Office in the destination country how to assess this package for any customs duty that may be due.



If the package contains a gift, check this box.
NOTE: Some people mistakenly believe that designating a package as a "gift" will allow it to enter the ocuntry duty-free regardless of its value. While there is a slightly different tax structure for gifts versus commercial merchandise, customs officials are wise to this ploy, and will assess the value, and charge the appropriate duties on any package they suspect is improperly designated as a gift.

Another NOTE: If you're sending a gift to your sweetie and don't want to spoil the surprise by listing the contents on the outside of the package, the Post Office says:
"If you do not wish to list the contents on the wrapper... affix only the upper portion of this label and complete a PS Form 2976-A, Customs Declaration and Dispatch Note. Enclose the completed PS Form 2976-A inside the item."
If you do this, however, please know that the Post Office WILL definitely open the parcel to inspect the contents!



If your package contains only documents (a letter, card or correspondence, forms, contracts, personal photos, or other printed pages with no real cash value), check this box.
Even though you may have paid to have the documents created or printed, they have no intrinsic, taxable value, so enter "0" here in the box labeled Value.
NOTE: A check, even if it's made out for thousands of dollars, is still considered to be a document, with no cash value.



If you're a business and you're mailing samples to a potential customer, check this box, and in the space for Value down below, enter the letters NCV (No Commercial Value). But do that only if the receiver has NOT purchased the samples.

We'll continue our lesson in the next frame...

If your package contains merchandise that has been purchased by the addressee, check the box labeled Other (the newer, four-part form has a box for Merchandise). You'll enter more specific details about the contents and value in the sections below.



Now enter a detailed description of the contents of your package, including quantities and value. Be specific; entries like "food" or "clothing" are too vague.
If you know the weight of the individual items, enter it in the space provided. If you're not sure, leave that part blank.
If you know the country of origin for your package contents (where they were originally made), put that here. This is not really required unless you're sending commercial items.
The Total Weight is the weight of the entire package, including the packing materials. If you're mailing your package at a Post Office, the clerk will fill in that section when they weigh your box to calculate the postage

NOTE: If the items you're sending are used, be sure to say that. Used goods are often taxed at a different rate than new items. (But be sure to check out the restrictions and prohibitions for the destination country on the Post Office website at USPS.com. Some countries don't allow used goods to enter.)



Finally, at the bottom of the form, sign and date it. This should be the date the package is actually mailed.
(This form needs your signature on both parts. The newer form requires just one signature).

Read on for one final warning.

The Postal Service can (and will) open your parcel to inspect the contents if they suspect that the information on the customs declaration is not accurate. If you have understated the value of the package, they will re-rate it and assess the customs duty accordingly.
Your best bet is to be truthful when filling out the forms.

So there you have it! That wasn't so hard now, was it?!!

Happy International Mailing