overseas shipping and customs

[sharktacos]

I'm selling DVD on my website, and want to ship orders to overseas.
I'm sending it in a small envelope (3.5 oz) through the USPS. They have a little green customs form to fill out with the categories of "gift, commercial sample, documents, other". There is also a category for "commercial items". I tried calling and visiting the post office to ask them how to fill this out and I got a different answer with every person I asked. One said "check gift so you wont get charged" even when I suggested that this was a lie, he said "everyone does it" so I asked "the USPS is recommending lying and checking gift?" he said "yes". Another person said I should call up the customs office which is now the "Customs, Immigration and Department of Homeland Security". They dont answer their phone. Another person said dont put a customs form on it at all and just write in pen "DVD inside". Another person said check "other"...ad nauseum. I conclude that they are all just untrained workers randomly making this up as they go.

Can anyone offer advice as to what I should do? Do I check "other"? Do I need to declare a single item in an envelope under a pound worth under $13 at all? Does "commercial item" refer to an overseas purchase of a single retail item (my case) or does it refer to importing for resale?

I'm hoping that others who sell online internationally can share what they do.

HELP!

[stevel]

When I have shipped merchandise (eBay sales) overseas, I always fill out the customs form honestly and do not write gift.

You can fill out the customs form online at https://webapps.usps.com/customsforms/

[sharktacos]

When I have shipped merchandise (eBay sales) overseas, I always fill out the customs form honestly and do not write gift.

You can fill out the customs form online at https://webapps.usps.com/customsforms/

Yes I absolutely agree that honesty is the best policy. So assuming that, what would I put? "Other"? My question is not really "should I be honest?" I think I should. My question is, "if I want to do this correctly, what is the correct way?"

That is what the USPS was unable to give me a clear answer on, and what I was hoping to learn from you all here. Like I said, when I asked 6 people at the USPS how to correctly declare this, I got 6 completely different answers.

When I asked to speak with a supervisor and told him about the discrepancy and asked him for the official answer I was told that they "do know how to fill out the form" and that I needed to call Homeland Security and ask them, which of course is a Kevorkian non-answer. I said "you are telling me that at the offical USPS information line nationwide that you do not know how to fill out your own forms as a supervisor?!?" answer "Yes sir, I'm sorry".

So I am not ethically confused here, I am simply technically confused.

thanks

[stevel]

I would put "Other", and then describe the contents. I think the idea is that the Sample, Gift and Document categories are treated specially as far as duties go.

The problem you're having with USPS is that the US doesn't really give a darn what you put there - it's the destination country which cares. I suggest reading up on per-country issues at http://pe.usps.gov/text/Imm/immctry.html In particular, check the "Notes:" at the end of the document. For example, the one for France says:
Notes:

1. Arms, weapons, and human remains are prohibited.

2. An invoice, in duplicate, is required for all commercial shipments regardless of value and for all personal shipments valued at $300 or more. The invoices must be either affixed to the outside of the parcel or enclosed in PS Form 2976-E with the customs declaration.

3. Indicate precise description of documents, gifts, merchandise samples, and merchandise.

4. For personal gifts, merchandise samples, and merchandise, indicate the value of the contents expressed in U.S. dollars or French francs.

5. Label gift packages clearly as GIFT or CADEAU and merchandise samples as SAMPLES.

6. Coins; banknotes; currency notes (paper money); securities of any kind payable to bearer; traveler's checks; platinum, gold, and silver (manufactured or not); precious stones; jewelry; and other valuable articles are prohibited in EMS shipments to France (including Corsica and Monaco).

7. An Express Mail shipment may be addressed to a street address or to a post office box. A local telephone number for the addressee should be provided when the item is addressed to a street address and must be provided when the item is addressed to a post office box.

Which form you use depends also on which postage service you have selected.

[ld101]

The correct checkbox to use is 'other'. And it is best if you include a customs form with any package, no matter how light it is, this speeds up clearance through customs.

[redhunter]

It is a good idea to fill out the Harmonized tariff number (look it up at http://www.usitc.gov/tata/ ) and make sure you retain the magic number on the customs form. I always do these at the counter and insist that the teller scans the barcode before they stick the postage on. That way the number appears on my receipt. Rumor has it that if it gets stuck in customs at the other end, this number can be used as a reference for the recipient to track it down. In any case it gives you documentary proof that you not only sent it but you remembered to stick the form on.

I've only ever lost one international package and that was the one I forgot to put the form on. As there was metal in it I suspect they just incinerated it.

I would think that putting gift or sample on it is liable to get it confiscated on the grounds that lying to the authorities gives them an excuse. Likewise understating the value. if there is duty due, then it is up to the receiver to pay, it is not your problem.

AL

[mrblenny]

Another experienced retailer/e-tailer friend directed me away from using the "gift" idea with USPS. A few years back his old partner got caught. He said the fine was thousands of $. They do a pretty good job of tracking things and the last thing any business needs is to be flagged for fraud.

As of right now, I have nothing but good things to say about USPS. They give you free boxes of various sizes (Priority Mail), and Global Express Mail for International has been flawless.

Good luck.