International Shipping Tips for UPS, FedEx and USPS (Part 4)

Next we will cover some of the commonly used forms for international shipping. The samples below are customs forms as printed by our CPS shipping software. These are typical but can vary slightly in appearance from application to application. They are according to the current, approved layouts, which is always subject to change. The data about the goods is included in some way on each form. The commercial invoice form is the same for all carriers. The different USPS forms are used according to the value of the goods as well as other criteria. The USPS 2976A form is a single page but the 2976 is six pages and even has its own required envelope, the 2976E.

As you see, there is a lot of data in the forms, and a mistake with any part can stop your packages cold at customs. The forms for UPS and FedEx are identical. Click on the links below to view the sample forms:

Sample UPS Shipment Commercial Invoice
Sample UPS Shipment Certificate of Origin
Sample USPS Shipment Form 2976
Sample USPS Shipment Form 2976A
Sample USPS Shipment Commercial Invoice

Did you know that you could need a license to export a pencil to Canada? No kidding! Need more information about export licensing and when it's needed?

You can learn more from the actual regulators. Where? For those who think that it can't be hot enough, in Orlando on August 5 & 6, the US Department of Commerce will present a seminar titled "Complying with U.S. Export Controls" which will cost $350. This seminar will cover the Export Administration Regulations (EAR), U.S. sanctions programs, and the Foreign Trade Statistics Regulations (FTSR). You'll learn to classify your commodities, services and technologies; understand whether a license is required; apply for a license; and you'll learn about the documentation that you will need to keep to prove your due diligence. Click here to register or see the attached document. You can also visit:

U.S. Trade Information Center (General export information)http://www.export.gov/exportbasics/exp_001602.asp

U.S. Department of Commerce (for a Basic Guide to Exporting)http://www.unzco.com/basicguide/index.html

U.S. Department of Agriculture (For Food Products)
http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/!ut/p/_s.7_0_A/7_0_1OB?navid=

US Customs (More general information)
http://www.customs.ustreas.gov/xp/cgov/home.xml

International Monetary Fund - SDRs per Currency unit and Currency units per SDR (Dollar conversion rates)
http://www.imf.org/external/np/fin/data/rms_five.aspx

This is it for this series on international shipping. But that is not all. We will continue to publish more on related subjects over the up coming weeks, so subscribe to our feed now to receive this information automatically or visit us again soon.