New USPS Customs Form W/Tracking for those that ship out of the Country

The new USPS customs form #2976-R for all shipments out of the country now includes free Tracking to many countries. I don't think the old customs forms included tracking to Italy and other countries.

I used this new form for shipping to Canada and it tracked the package all the way to my friend's house.

I also just used this form to ship a fake coin back to a Ebay seller in Italy and it has tracked the package to Milan on it's way to the seller.

 

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I'm surprised with this. In the past USPS tracking would only reach until it entered the foreign state, at which point tracking would be done by the foreign state.

 

The Post Office puts a bar code tracking sticker on the upper LH side of the new customs form. It's a much different system than past Customs Forms. They told me this new form will be used for all international mailing. There is no added charge for the tracking.

For my shippment to Canada I used a flat-rate International Priority Mail box. It was a heavy box and it cost $45.95

For the fake coin I shipped back to the seller in Italy I used a padded envelope and International First Class mail. Cost $13.50

 

I have shipped to Canada in the past and used the number on the form for tracking. I remember it showing tracking in Canada (I think). Maybe I'm wrong but it may have worked in the past. Good to know for future use.

 

That's great. I no longer need to use Priority Mail to Thailand just so my packages don't get "lost" during the motorbike portion of delivery.

 

They may still get lost, however having a tracking number usually helps with insurance claims. More info here:
https://about.usps.com/postal-bulletin/2016/pb22448/html/updt_003.htm

 

I avoid the problem by only shipping inexpensive items (<$10) to international locations.
And since they are stamps an envelope (with stiffeners) goes at 2 oz.
That seems to avoid packages being "opened for inspection(!)" hence nothing lost -- yet.

 

IUt seems they have extended the eDelcon service (delivery confirmation if the label is bought online) to over the counter deals.

Here is a recent example from Chicago that should arrive soon.

LH003107672US