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IndianaRog

Well, yesterday I had my first successful experience with using the US Postal Service online customs form, required now for packages over 4 pounds (you can still use the small handwritten one for pkgs under 4 pounds.

With postal brochure in hand...here is about how it went:

1) went to USPS website and found the Click & Ship option

2) entered in the required customs info which is same as on the hard copy forms, only had to set up a "profile" with online name and password (wrote it down for next time)

3) got to the weight question and had to pause...took box upstairs to the bathroom scale and weighed me, then me and box and got a net box wt.

4) chose the form of shipping I wanted to use and how I wanted to pay for it (Credit cards only) and saved $2 supposedly for doing it online vs. at the post office counter

5) entered what I thought was the last of the needed info and hit the "print" button...it told me I missed a few check boxes, so I went back and found the error of my ways

6) hit the print button again and was advised I needed to upgrade my copy of Adobe Reader...clicked on the hypertext to allow me to do so, then when it finished loading it said "must restart to complete installation"...I dutifully did

AND THEN LOST EVERYTHING I HAD ENTERED PRIOR TO THAT POINT

7) started over again, though it did go faster with my now intimate familiarity with the system...got back to the print step in about 7-8 minutes more

hit the print button again and it spit out two sheets of paper with a cut line in between... equals 4 identical forms, with an unknown number supposed to get inserted in a special plastic, clear window sticky thing that goes on the box...of course I did not have one, but they do at the post office. It appeared they charged my credit card correctly.

9) went to post office and postman inserted 3 of the 4 paper copies into a stick on clear window thing and said "thank you"...nothing further to do but pick up a few spare clear window sticky things for the next time

10) all in all...from first sitting at the keyboard to having printed forms in hand...took me 50 minutes.
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Learning points for those of you who will be exporting items outside the US.
1) Under 4 pounds...just use the little form at post office and you are done...no online requirement

2) Over 4 pounds...
- weigh your fully packed box
- update your copy of Adobe Reader BEFORE filling in anything on the online form
- have your credit card handy
- figure 20-30 minutes to get it right the first time (with these tips)
- next time (if it's not 3 months later and all has been forgotten)...I or any of you should be able to do the deed in 10 minutes or less
- pick up some small customs forms at the Post Office to do at home for under 4 pound pkgs. and pick up some of the clear window sticky things that the customs forms you print must go in when attached to the box (can't use tape).

Bottom line, if you do it once in a blue moon, it's going to be a pain and take a fair amount of time. If you do it regularly, it will take a bit more time than the handwritten form, but not too terribly long.

But, the best thing of all...the brochure says our border security will be improved with this new system. THAT makes it all worth while to me!!!

Rog
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Les · Posted: Fri Nov 06, 2009 2:55 pm Post subject:

Thanks for letting us know Roger, I just hope this new system doesn't put people off from sending parcels overseas.

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Nick · Posted: Fri Nov 06, 2009 2:58 pm Post subject:

johnreid · Posted: Fri Nov 06, 2009 3:02 pm Post subject:

I sent one recently and it still wants the phone number of the receiving party.

International Priority still requires the bigger form.
Make sure that your scale is accurate as if you miss it by an ounce on the low side the parcel will not proceed due to insufficient postage.

I sent a small First Class package that requires the smakk form and had to do it online as well, the PO no longer stocks the small form either,

I wonder how people who have no computer can send packages to friends and family overseas now
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IndianaRog · Posted: Fri Nov 06, 2009 3:14 pm Post subject:

Post office WILL fill out the online form for you under duress...they did one for me already but it tied up the line waiting on the counter and the lady told me they are NOT supposed to do them for people. This will probably be tightened up in time.

John, small customs forms were readily available at my PO and THEY offered info that it would suffice for under 4 pounds (maybe when those forms run out nationwide it will leave no option)

Form "said" you needed phone number of the recipient outside the US, but I skipped that and it didn't cause a problem.

Fearing my bathroom scale might be off and not wanting to get rejected at the PO...I added several ounces to what the scale read just to be safe.
===========================

In a word there is no question this system is going to put off some folks from shipping OUS...it's a pain unless you did it regularly and remember how to navigate it. The biggest "gotcha" however is to get to the finish line only to find your Adobe Reader is not the most current, load it and have to reboot...loosing everything entered to that point. Hence...that is job one, update Adobe Reader BEFORE entering anything in the online form.

Rog
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tmuir · Posted: Fri Nov 06, 2009 4:22 pm Post subject:

Can you hear that?

It sounds like doors in the US export market shutting to small one off shipping. ...

Guess the US postal service doesn't want the small export market in the US to recover.

I fail to see how making you fill out a form at home will improve border security.

For a start you are sending it outside the country, not bringing things in.

I'll stop now before I start ranting.............

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johnreid · Posted: Fri Nov 06, 2009 4:40 pm Post subject:

I think it only reduces the amount of things that employees will mess with, thus enabling them to sack more workers.
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IndianaRog · Posted: Fri Nov 06, 2009 8:10 pm Post subject:

I think it might be as basic as converting to an online system where information can be assimilated easily and maybe studied...for what purpose I don't have clue.

Face it, the old system of multiple carbon forms in barely legible handwriting probably never got read and just pile up in a govt. warehouse...a complete waste of time and paper.

Online data entry is virtually a way to register exporters and who they export to.

There must be a conspiracy in there somewhere!!!

Rog
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Bugsy · Posted: Fri Nov 06, 2009 8:20 pm Post subject:

If a Jensen 25, carefully wrapped in Indiana, weighs more than 4 pounds,
then a certain member who goes by several different aliases, Ohnrei, Josephine etc etc. will find out very shortly just how easy the new system is.
That was a long sentence.

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johnreid · Posted: Fri Nov 06, 2009 8:29 pm Post subject:

IT weighs more than 4 pounds but will go Priority anyhow so the big form is needed, according to the USPS Web Site. I have a computer and Internet access so I am prepared.
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mogogear · Posted: Fri Nov 06, 2009 8:49 pm Post subject:

Graham-Jilly · Posted: Fri Nov 06, 2009 8:56 pm Post subject:

I recon it wont be long before our postal system goes the same way. as in everything we follow what is done os
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Bugsy · Posted: Fri Nov 06, 2009 9:05 pm Post subject:

Griffin · Posted: Fri Nov 06, 2009 9:58 pm Post subject:

I wonder how the likes of the Jensen factory will go on with this new system for shipping overseas, as they don't have a computer at the factory

.
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IndianaRog