Usps ?

[chaase321]

Does anyone know if you can use the USA USPS Flat Rate boxes to ship internationally? Or do you have to get special International Flat rate boxes? I realize it is just a box, but to get the flat rate rate, I am not sure if the boxes are different? Difficult to find the answer on USPS . com

Thanks for the help! :tu

[AdamJoshua]

You can use the flat rate box but you aren't getting a flat rate price. You can go to the usps site and under shipping internationally you can easily find what it's going to cost to send a box.

If you use a small box, the old VCR tape type box you don't need the customs forms just a short form that takes .3 seconds to fill out... been there done that.

[T.G]

Does anyone know if you can use the USA USPS Flat Rate boxes to ship internationally? Or do you have to get special International Flat rate boxes? I realize it is just a box, but to get the flat rate rate, I am not sure if the boxes are different? Difficult to find the answer on USPS . com

Thanks for the help! :tu


USPS flat rate envelopes and boxes are good for international if they are marked "For Domestic and International Shipments", most, possibly all, of the current boxes carry this marking. The weight limits are different though, 4lbs for small, 20-lb for medium and large.

[chaase321]

You can use the flat rate box but you aren't getting a flat rate price. You can go to the usps site and under shipping internationally you can easily find what it's going to cost to send a box.

If you use a small box, the old VCR tape type box you don't need the customs forms just a short form that takes .3 seconds to fill out... been there done that.

Really (about the customs form), is this something I can do online, or does it have to be hand written?

[chaase321]

USPS flat rate envelopes and boxes are good for international if they are marked "For Domestic and International Shipments", most, possibly all, of the current boxes carry this marking. The weight limits are different though, 4lbs for small, 20-lb for medium and large.

Alright cool, I don't have my flat rate boxes on me, but was thinking there were ones for domestic, and ones for international. I'm sure the ones I have would be marked for both, so that is good. Thanks!

[AdamJoshua]

Really (about the customs form), is this something I can do online, or does it have to be hand written?

Nah its basically 2 questions you do it at the front in the post office, they stamp it and then give you one half as a receipt, it's nothing.

Alright cool, I don't have my flat rate boxes on me, but was thinking there were ones for domestic, and ones for international. I'm sure the ones I have would be marked for both, so that is good. Thanks!

nah same boxes just write the address on it and pay through the nose :) :r

[shilala]

You can do the customs forms online, but you have to have the little plastic envelopes for the forms.
You can order them for free right here (https://store.usps.com/store/browse/productDetailSingleSku.jsp?productId=P_FORM_2976_E&categoryId=subcatMSS_International). Sometimes you can find them at your PO. They may be setting out, if not you just have to ask for a few.

[T.G]

Really (about the customs form), is this something I can do online, or does it have to be hand written?

If you set up an account on USPS.com, then yes, you can fill the form out on line. It will guide you through it while you are purchasing the shipping label.

You also receive a slight discount for purchasing the label/post on line.

Note though, that depending on the country and value of shipment, the forms can be different and in some cases, you will still have to stand in line to hand the package to a postal counter agent. Other times, you can just drop the posted box with it's attached CN22 form into a mailbox.

[chaase321]

Nah its basically 2 questions you do it at the front in the post office, they stamp it and then give you one half as a receipt, it's nothing.



nah same boxes just write the address on it and pay through the nose :) :r

:r alright, thanks!

You can do the customs forms online, but you have to have the little plastic envelopes for the forms.
You can order them for free right here (https://store.usps.com/store/browse/productDetailSingleSku.jsp?productId=P_FORM_2976_E&categoryId=subcatMSS_International). Sometimes you can find them at your PO. They may be setting out, if not you just have to ask for a few.

sweet, i'll order some so I have them for the next go round :tu

and I thought this newb stuff was over! :D

[T.G]

Alright cool, I don't have my flat rate boxes on me, but was thinking there were ones for domestic, and ones for international. I'm sure the ones I have would be marked for both, so that is good. Thanks!


Old boxes used to be marked that way. New ones (last few years) are dual-purpose.

[AdamJoshua]

I just sent something to Singapore, I didn't need to fill out the customs forms, if you go online it's going to ask you for exemption numbers and all kinds of BS, if you just get in line at the post office, tell them you are sending collectables (as long as the box isn't pounds and pounds), you can put the value down as 100 bucks and there are no exemptions or long customs forms to fill out, at least that's how it worked out for me the other day.

btw I used one of the "video tape" small boxes.

[chaase321]

If you set up an account on USPS.com, then yes, you can fill the form out on line. It will guide you through it while you are purchasing the shipping label.

You also receive a slight discount for purchasing the label/post on line.

Note though, that depending on the country and value of shipment, the forms can be different and in some cases, you will still have to stand in line to hand the package to a postal counter agent. Other times, you can just drop the posted box with it's attached CN22 form into a mailbox.

I have an account, but based on what Scott said, I'll have to wait to do the form online as I don't have any of the "baggies" to put the form in.

Weight and value are both below the "extra" work thresholds this time around, but good to know

[chaase321]

I just sent something to Singapore, I didn't need to fill out the customs forms, if you go online it's going to ask you for exemption numbers and all kinds of BS, if you just get in line at the post office, tell them you are sending collectables (as long as the box isn't pounds and pounds), you can put the value down as 100 bucks and there are no exemptions or long customs forms to fill out, at least that's how it worked out for me the other day.

btw I used one of the "video tape" small boxes.

Ok, I am sending to Brett too in singapore [let's cat out of the bag, no worries, not a bomb], my ? Adam (either or), is there a difference between "video tape" small boxes and the regular small flat rate boxes?

[T.G]

You can do the customs forms online, but you have to have the little plastic envelopes for the forms.
You can order them for free right here (https://store.usps.com/store/browse/productDetailSingleSku.jsp?productId=P_FORM_2976_E&categoryId=subcatMSS_International). Sometimes you can find them at your PO. They may be setting out, if not you just have to ask for a few.


You can also use FedEx or UPS self-adhesive form pouches, they don't care so long as it's clear and they can pull out copies of the form along the way as required. The pouches can be found at any UPS/FedEx ship location.

[CigarNut]

I have an account, but based on what Scott said, I'll have to wait to do the form online as I don't have any of the "baggies" to put the form in.

Weight and value are both below the "extra" work thresholds this time around, but good to know

If you are shipping the Small Flat Rate box then you do not need an envelope. It's only the larger boxes that require the envelope as they require more copies of the mailing and customs documents.

[T.G]

I have an account, but based on what Scott said, I'll have to wait to do the form online as I don't have any of the "baggies" to put the form in.

Weight and value are both below the "extra" work thresholds this time around, but good to know


CN22 isn't a multi-copy form. It's the short one about the size of a post-it note, you just tape it to the box.

1394 & 1394-A are the half-page multi-copy ones that you need the pouches for.

[chaase321]

If you are shipping the Small Flat Rate box then you do not need an envelope. It's only the larger boxes that require the envelope as they require more copies of the mailing and customs documents.

Oh, cool, then I can just do it online and be done with it. :noon

[CigarNut]

If you set up an account on USPS.com, then yes, you can fill the form out on line. It will guide you through it while you are purchasing the shipping label.

You also receive a slight discount for purchasing the label/post on line.

Note though, that depending on the country and value of shipment, the forms can be different and in some cases, you will still have to stand in line to hand the package to a postal counter agent. Other times, you can just drop the posted box with it's attached CN22 form into a mailbox.

After some recent changes at USPS I have been able to print pre-approved forms for foreign countries and have not had to get them hand-stamped at the counter (you still need the plastic envelopes). Big win for international shippers! :tu :tu

[T.G]

Ok, I am sending to Brett too in singapore [let's cat out of the bag, no worries, not a bomb], my ? Adam (either or), is there a difference between "video tape" small boxes and the regular small flat rate boxes?

The "video tape" box is a slight bit larger, about an additional 1/2" by 3/4". Not sure if there is a rate difference for international offhand.

[chaase321]

After some recent changes at USPS I have been able to print pre-approved forms for foreign countries and have not had to get them hand-stamped at the counter (you still need the plastic envelopes). Big win for international shippers! :tu :tu

I'll be a sheep this time and wait in line just to make sure, but yes, that is a big win I would imagine!

The "video tape" box is a slight bit larger, about an additional 1/2" by 3/4". Not sure if there is a rate difference for international offhand.

Ok, thanks

[T.G]

After some recent changes at USPS I have been able to print pre-approved forms for foreign countries and have not had to get them hand-stamped at the counter (you still need the plastic envelopes). Big win for international shippers! :tu :tu


I noticed that too, some of the destinations that used to require boxes to be handed across the counter no longer do, but I don't know if every destination has been given that treatment or not.

[T.G]

I'll be a sheep this time and wait in line just to make sure, but yes, that is a big win I would imagine!


If it has the round postal cancellation mark with the date on it in the lower corner when it prints, then you can just sign it and toss it in a mailbox.

[AdamJoshua]

:r @ this thread all to send out a box... :r

Reminds me of the episode of Big Bang Theory where they are setting something up for Penny and end up tossing the plans and all scatter to get "other" pieces for a high tech install after they over-thought the hell out of it. lol

[chaase321]

:r @ this thread all to send out a box... :r

Reminds me of the episode of Big Bang Theory where they are setting something up for Penny and end up tossing the plans and all scatter to get "other" pieces for a high tech install after they over-thought the hell out of it. lol

:r I know, but it is appreciated, and if it saves me from standing in the P.O. line (in DC to boot) that will be packed, I am all for it!

[Zane]

Good information to have either way.

[CigarNut]

If it has the round postal cancellation mark with the date on it in the lower corner when it prints, then you can just sign it and toss it in a mailbox.

If it prints your name in the signature field then you don't even need to sign them any more (part of the recent changes). The USPS considers this a digital signature and is considered validated as part of your purchase.

[T.G]

If it prints your name in the signature field then you don't even need to sign them any more (part of the recent changes). The USPS considers this a digital signature and is considered validated as part of your purchase.

True, but, it's the foreign customs agents that inspect the packages that I'm signing it for. I've found that it's simpler to just scribble something on that line like they are used to seeing and then I don't have to worry if they got USPS's memo.