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Post by kenoticket on Oct 23, 2014 8:32:07 GMT -6
I had a sale yesterday that had to go to Canada.
I rarely do international sales, but I've been working with this buyer for about a year now, so made an exception.
I know I could have done the shipping label online and handed the box off to my postman, but I've never done that before so just went ahead and made the drive to the post office and let them put the postage and forms on it.
My question is (for future reference), when doing international labeling and postage online, what about the customs form? Do I still fill out the form and attach it to the package somehow, or will the customs form print out online with the label?
If it had been a small dollar amount for the postage I would have just tried it to see what happens, but the postage on this package was $20.55, so I didn't want to take a chance on a screw-up.
If someone who does international shipping can let me know what happens with the customs form, I'll know for future shipments.
Thanks, keno |
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Post by PickyChicky on Oct 23, 2014 11:42:17 GMT -6
Howdy kenoticket...You can refer to this page on the USPS site that has links to all countries to find out what the requirements are for each: pe.usps.com/text/imm/immctry.htmTypically, for international packages, you can do the postage and forms online, but you have to take them to the PO. They cannot be put in your mailbox for pick up, given to your postman, or dropped in a public mailbox. However, I'm not sure if that's the case for Canada, but it should say on the form's instructions online. Either way, the customs form is a requirement. On Priority packages, it's also required to place the form inside an envelope (PS Form 2976-A inside PS Form 2976-E (envelope)). Here's the page for Canada where I got the info from: pe.usps.com/text/imm/ce_003.htm#ep6216933 |
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Post by kenoticket on Oct 23, 2014 12:05:29 GMT -6
Thanks Nicole. I did look at the postal website and got more confused.
I was afraid the answer would be as you stated, that it's not a "one size fits all" situation.
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Post by cindybear on Oct 23, 2014 15:46:11 GMT -6
When you postage online at both Paypal or USPS, you will be taken to a page to fill out the forms..
Then it will print several pages (copies) but at Nicole says, you will still have to go to the PO...doing it online also does give you a discount but then the PO attaches the printed copies you did when you went online..so remember, that smaller form weighs a whole lot less than 3-4 sheets of paper and the clear plastic envelope the PO puts them in...The PO will give these to you if you want them
I did once, but did not feel real comfortable with it..but will consider doing it more often if it can save some on the costs.
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Post by kenoticket on Oct 23, 2014 17:42:58 GMT -6
Well then, depending on the cost savings for doing it online or at the post office, I'll probably just go to the post office in the first place.
The sale that I made was almost $200. Checking the postal website I think the savings was around 90 or 95 cents to do it online. But, for that nice of a sale, I wasn't going to take any chances, it was worth 95 cents to me to make sure it was done correctly.
Ok, thanks all for the replies.
keno
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Post by Deleted on Oct 23, 2014 19:40:02 GMT -6
Personally, I have always been afraid to ship International packages online. I shipped one today to Sweden that cost $55.00 and that's alot of money to sit on waiting for usps to refund if there is an error in creating the label. It's a PITA to fill out the customs forms, but a necessary evil. I had to do ti three times today because I kept making mistakes.
But letting USPS take care of the shipping part puts my mind at ease every time.
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Post by PickyChicky on Oct 24, 2014 5:32:47 GMT -6
That's a good point about waiting for a refund if you make a mistake online. Fortunately, I didn't have that problem, but it's definitely something to consider in the future.
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