Customs Forms¶
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See also:
Do the APIs support E-DELCON? in the Expedited FAQs
How do I insure a USPS shipment? in the Expedited FAQs
How do I know if USPS has suspended service to a location? in the Expedited FAQs
What customs form is required for my USPS shipment?¶
The Create PB Expedited Shipment API automatically provides the correct USPS® customs form based on the information in the request. The API provides forms for the shipments listed in the table below. The returned form is used as both the shipping label and the customs declaration.
A form can be single-ply or multi-ply. Single-ply forms can be attached directly to the parcel. Multi-ply forms require a USPS Customs pouch to hold three copies of the form: two copies labeled “Customs Declaration” and one labeled “Dispatch Note.” For each type of form, the API prints one or more “Continuation Pages” if the shipment contains more items than can be listed in the “Detailed Description of Contents” on the original form.
The API supports customs forms for the shipments listed in the following table. For such shipments, set the label size to either DOC_4X6 or DOC_8X11, unless otherwise specified in the table.
Type of Shipment |
Form Number |
Form Name |
Additional Information |
|---|---|---|---|
|
PS Form 2976 |
CN22 - Customs Declaration |
This is a single-ply form and can be attached directly to the parcel without a Customs pouch. For For |
|
PS Form 2976-A |
CP72 - Customs Declaration |
This is a multi-ply form for most countries. This is a single-ply form for participating countries and for APO/FPO/DPO, U.S. Territories, and FAS destinations. As of this writing, the participating countries are Australia, Canada, and Costa Rica. |
|
PS Form 2976-B |
CP72 - Customs Declaration |
This is a multi-ply form for most countries. This is a single-ply form for participating countries. As of this writing, the participating countries are Australia, Canada, and Costa Rica. |
When does a domestic USPS shipment require a customs form?¶
The following table describes when customs forms are required and when they are not. When a customs form is required, the Create Expedited Shipment request must include the customs object.
Domestic shipments that weigh less than 16 ounces and that contain only documents do not require customs forms.
Location |
If required |
|---|---|
APO/FPO/DPO |
Domestic shipments to or from an APO/FPO/DPO address require customs forms if any of the following are true:
|
Puerto Rico |
Domestic shipments to and from Puerto Rico do not require customs forms. |
U.S. Virgin Islands |
Domestic shipments to the U.S. Virgin Islands do not require customs forms. Domestic Shipments from the U.S. Virgin Islands require customs forms if either of the following is true:
|
U.S. Territories and Freely Associated States (FAS),
|
Domestic shipments to U.S. Territories or FAS require customs forms if either of the following is true:
Domestic shipments from U.S. Territories or FAS require customs forms if either of the following is true:
|
How do I add a signature and date to a customs form?¶
You can add the sender’s signature and the date on CN 22 and CP 72 shipping labels using the SHIPPING_LABEL_SENDER_SIGNATURE shipment option. Enter the signature as a String. The sender’s signature date is automatically populated.
How do I provide a VAT or IOSS number?¶
To provide a VAT (Value Added Tax) number or IOSS number with your shipment, include the following two fields in the customs.customsInfo object:
importerCustomsReference: Enter the VAT or IOSS number.importerCustomsReferenceType: Enter one of the following to specify which type of number you entered:VAT_NUMBERIOSS_NUMBER
Pitney Bowes does not print the number on the customs forms.
How do I add the Importer’s Tax ID to a customs form?¶
To add the Importer’s Tax Identification (ID) number to a customs form, provide the Tax ID number in the importerCustomsReference field in the customs.customsInfo object.