Maggie,

Sounds like they need to clean that office up.  [;)       

Sister Barbara        

Thank You SemperFi73!!!

ann

I have a quick question:

I just sent out my 1st few boxes and after reading some other posts, I opened the half of them up that had shaving cream in there (the cans) and took them out for fear that they may  explode or leak or whatever, the max. temp on the can said 120 and I heard that it could reach 140 there..Oh Sorry! Well anyways, while I had them open, I decided to throw in a movie (DVD) and of COURSE, stupid me remembered to cross out the "Shaving cream" that I put on the form, but FORGOT to put down "DVD" (or what did one say? Media disc? LOL I LOVE it, I just purchased some NEW RELEASE movies and plan on sending them, so I'll try that phrase)

Oh, but my QUESTION is... by NOT listing it, do you think the pkg will be ok? Surely they understand that when you have about 50 items in a box that we would probably forget a few of them? hopefully? LOL

thanks...

Tammy 

I just put the value of the entire package one time.  I list the items, but by the time I have packed it and filled out the customs form, I really don't remember every single item in the box.  So far, no problem.

If you fill out customs forms online, it is a real pain as far as I can tell.  You have to list the item, quantity and weight and value of each item.  It totals everything for you and figures your postage.  I gave up on this.  It is much easier to just fill them in by hand.

I know somewhere on the sight you can also get priority labels preprinted with your return address.  I just haven't found it yet.  Too busy filling everything out by hand. lol
 

Tammy K:

IOh, but my QUESTION is... by NOT listing it, do you think the pkg will be ok? Surely they understand that when you have about 50 items in a box that we would probably forget a few of them? hopefully? LOL

I think it should be ok, but perhaps the folks who read the customs forms at each step of the way can be as individual in interpreting them as the folks at various post offices... 

The customs forms are mainly designed for international mail exiting the US postal system. The military mail uses them since the packages are going out of the country and they must look for restricted items, but they haven't the same needs for detail as other countries with customs fees etc.   And in addition, these same forms are used for commercial mailings so they have space for detail that is required with that sort of thing. The most difficult thing is to complete the form so that it does what we need it to- permit our gifts to get to the serving military.

Thanks, Mom

Thanks... ThanksMom

I was worried, I didn't want a perfectly good movie (new release) to get blown up or anything because I was in a hurry, tired and forgot to add it on the list.  I DID do what somewhere on this site suggested doing.. I wrote in permanent marker "US SOLDIER" and ANYSOLDIER.COM on both the DVD and the Casing it came in, this way I hope that it would be more difficult to steal and then sell back to a soldier..who knows..we'll see what happens!

Tammy

Ps. This is WAY too addictive! I'm planning a whole shopping day tomorrow JUST for purchasing items for care packages..tomorrow I'm going to macys and bed bath and beyond and bath and body works for stuff like Tommy Boxers, Temptations wash (it's shampoo, bubble bath and body wash in one) and some cool water pistols that I saw that actually cool the water 30 degrees before spraying, so they can play AND be "cool" LOL

Tammy,

I've sent the Temptations to several contacts, and they love it.

And yes, being a Soldier Supporter is addictive!

Jenifer

Wow! I am just now reading through this forum about he customs forms. I always have extras of them and pretty much fill them out at home. I always give a brief listing like snacks and magazines, or toiletries. The dollar amount I typically put an arbitrary dollar amount like $2 or $5( Ithink $5 is my high).  I guess I missed the part on the anysoldier website about what to do if soldier is not there-- I select distribute as directed-"distribute to any US military".

I guess people in other parts of the country are much more polite than NJ.

If a PO clerk in NJ tried to take some one in line out of turn there'd be a mini-riot . 

If you get to the window and need to fill out a form, you can step aside, fill the form, the clerk takes the next person, and then takes you before anyone else in line.  Actually understandable since you've already waited in line once.

Most times when I go to my town PO there is a line of folks shifting around and sighing about having to wait in line.

I've never seen anyone let someone else go ahead of them who had less to mail.  If you did, the whole line would try to go ahead of you.  Interesting place this NJ.

Of course I live right outside of NYC.  Other parts of NJ are a bit more rural and not quite as hectic.

ann

Tammy K:

I'm going to macys

Just so you don't get disappointed...I went to my Macy's today and they said they didn't carry the particular style (Intimate? Ultimate?) of Jockey briefs that the internet coupon was for.  Perhaps your store does, but you might want to ask before spending a lot of time looking for them.

I'm sorry if this is a repeat.  I've just found time to start reading this forum and have decided I'm not going to because I really don't need help on this.

Free customs forms usually are hanging in the outer lobbies of larger post offices.  I believe you can also order them on the USPS website to be delivered to your home for free.

If you have any specific questions about mailing you can email me.  I used to work for the USPS.  I just don't have time anymore to read everything.

Paula

P.S. --- The reason it is best to write a complete list of items is because if anything is split open (they get piled high in trucks and airplanes with a lot of pressure on them and can be damaged in the machinery if it malfunctions {and if the machinery malfunctions several boxes will rip open before the machinery stops}) is so that whomever gets the ripped box can gather together as many of the items as listed.  Otherwise there is no way to tell what was supposed to be in them.  Everyone feels THEIR box is special, and I understand that, but you need to remember that the boxes take a lot of abuse.  I've been privy to seeing what they go through.  It's the reason I love the larger flat rate box.  It's very sturdy and has a great seal. The boxes that are on top of your box don't care about you.

This may be a silly question....if nothing else you will definitely know I am a newbie!

 Trying to make sure that everything is listed (don't want the package blown up!, oh my)...if you try to "do right" and list everything that you have crammed into every nook and cranny of that box....there is certainly not enough room on the customs form to list it all.  Do you just use a second customs form for the same box?

Bonnie

For one thing, I try to limit the number of different items that I use for "stuffing", like just use packs of tissue and beef sticks for a food package, but that being said, I am "queen of customs forms cramming".  The postal clerk has remarked about how good I did on the customs forms.  I actually make a list of items as I am packing and eye the number of letters in each one and put semi-colons between the items and also do the quantity the same to match each line of items.  I have gotten over 20 different items listed on one form.  I write very tiny.  I don't care much about whether they can read it or not - I did my part by writing it down - LOL!

Gran

Welcome Bonnie,

Great to see you posting here.  This is a common struggle of mine, too.  I wouldn't recommend using more than one customs form.  Try to write smaller or try to divide the empty space into 2 columns.  I also try to use superordinate category labels followed by lists of subordinates with quantities for each. For example:

Contents                                          Quantity column
clothes: t-shirts, boxers, socks       5ea.  OR:  10,5,12 resp.
children's toys:  stuffed toys/balls       24/2

For two columns of items, I similarly divide the quantity column in two and match the items w/quantities
If it's any consolation to you, these forms used to be lined in stead of blank space. It was impossible to fill in all of the items individually.

I hope others will add on their own ideas for dealing with the tight spaces on the customs forms.
byw, thanks for asking -- not a silly question at all.

Betc 

Oops, sorry for the repetition I didn't see Gran's post before I replied (teach me to check the related before posting)