Stamps.com simplifies international shipping with built-in USPS-compliant customs forms.
The USPS has two different types of customs forms for international mail:
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PS Form 2976 Customs Declaration – CN 22 (short form)
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PS 2976-A Customs Declaration & Dispatch Note – CP72 (long form)
The contents (documents or merchandise), weight, value, mail class, and destination of the package determine which form to use. If you are a Endicia customer, our software will automatically determine the appropriate form.
Documents vs Merchandise
In this context, merchandise consists of items other than documents that are considered potentially dutiable, as well as documents that may be subject to customs duties. Section 123.63 of the USPS International Mail Manual provides a detailed description for your reference.
The following sections provide a reference for USPS customs requirements by mail class.
Documents only:
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Under 16 ounces: No PS form required*
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16 ounces or more: Requres PS Form 2976
Merchandise:
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Value is $400 or less: Requres PS Form 2976
Merchandise permitted unless prohibited by the destination country.
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Value is over $400: Prohibited. Items over $400 must be mailed using one of the following services:
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Global Express Guaranteed
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Priority Mail Express International
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Priority Mail International excluding Flat Rate Envelopes and Small Flat Rate Boxes
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All items:
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Value is $400 or less: Requres PS Form 2976
Merchandise permitted unless prohibited by the destination country.
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Value is over $400: Prohibited. Items over $400 must be mailed using one of the following services:
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Global Express Guaranteed
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Priority Mail Express International
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Priority Mail International excluding Flat Rate Envelopes and Small Flat Rate Boxes
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Includes all USPS Priority Mail International packaging or any container with a Priority Mail sticker or marked “Priority Mail” (except Flat Rate Envelopes and Small Flat Rate Boxes).
All items:
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Any weight or value: Requires PS Form 2976-A.
Documents only:
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Under 16 ounces: No PS form required*
Can be no more than 3/4" thick and must be uniformly thick.
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16 ounces or more: Requres PS Form 2976
Can be no more than 3/4" thick or not uniformly thick.
Merchandise:
Max weight: 4lbs
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Value is $400 or less: Requres PS Form 2976
Merchandise permitted unless prohibited by the destination country.
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Value is over $400: Prohibited. Items over $400 must be mailed using one of the following services:
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Global Express Guaranteed
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Priority Mail Express International
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All items:
Max weight: 4lbs
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Value is $400 or less: Requres PS Form 2976
Merchandise permitted unless prohibited by the destination country.
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Value is over $400: Prohibited. Items over $400 must be mailed using one of the following services:
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Global Express Guaranteed
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Priority Mail Express International
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Required customs forms and endorsements vary by country and are specified in the Individual Country Listings. Endicia always chooses the 2976-A regardless of contents, weight, or value.
In most cases, either PS Form 2976 or 2976-A can be used for any mail piece, whether documents or merchandise. Endicia will make the following determinations based on weight and dimensions:
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Under 16 ounces or too small to fit 2976-A (only if dutiable): PS Form 2976
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16 ounces or more: 2976-A
2976 may be substituted if the 2976-A form cannot fit on the package.
See USPS DMM Article 703 - Section 2.3.7 for additional details.
US Territories include American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, Palau, and the Republic of the Marshall Islands.***
For all mailpiece types:**
Documents only:
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Under 16 ounces: No PS form required*
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16 ounces or more: 2976 or 2976-A, either form is valid
Merchandise:
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For any weight and value: 2976 or 2976-A, either form is valid
See USPS DMM Article 608 - Section 2.4 for additional details.
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All items containing articles that require an export license (see 532) must always bear PS Form 2976-A.
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* Qualifying items must meet the physical characteristics in 241.235. For example, the following items do not meet this requirement and must bear a PS Form 2976 (CN22):
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Priority Mail International Flat Rate Envelopes that are not uniformly thick.
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First-Class Mail International items claimed at the package price.
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IPA and ISAL packages (small packets) containing only documents.
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** Items sent to territories via Priority Mail Express or Priority combined with Registered Mail service do not require customs.
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*** PR and VI require customs if the value is > $2500. Customs forms for PR and VI are not currently supported by Endicia.