My first box using the online new customs form successfully arrived in Iraq this week.  I used the following tricks suggested by my PO and I didn't have a problem.

1) Put the unit piece of the address with the line above it and did not include any soldier on the custom form as the PO said they use the label on the box for delivery, not the address on the form.  This allowed me to get all the address on the form.

2) List multiple items on each content row and just put 5 oz as the weight for each line.  The PO said the total weight is what counts.  My total weight wasn't exact (my scales don't match) so wrote in the total weight.  I used terms like 'prepackaged snacks' vs listing each individual type of snack and 'personal hygien items' vs listing the 10 or 15 individual items.

3) I select the box to redirect if 'Not Deliverable' and put Chaplain or Soldier in Charge on the page provided on the redirect page.  For the address I just put the contacts address.  Not sure this would work if it had to be redirected, but it didn't cause it to be rejected.

The biggest problem with the online form is if the weights entered when listing the contents exceeds the total weight you entered on the previous page of the form.  You get an error, but it doesn't tell you which field is in error. 

Anna

I mailed a trial box using the new customs form at our usual PO today.  I filled it out just as if it were the old one, putting Snax, Toiletries, etc. as usual.  It went thru with no problem.  It didn't appear that this post office had the new software E-Customs either.  The clerk even said she didn't like the new forms and gave me a stack of old ones to use.  So, it seems we're good to go here, at least for a while.  Anyone else have experience?

I mailed two packages yesterday using the old forms. My PO didn't offer the new forms.  They didn't say anything about using the old form, but there was only one guy there, and they were really busy so I didn';t ask alot of questions. Will have to see what happens next time.

Heidi

 We mailed 5 boxes using the old forms today without a hitch.  It's business as usual at our PO.  I came to the conclusion that until I run into a problem, I'll be better off not trying to fix it.  I hope it continues to work out fine, for all of us.

Mailed a few packages this week using the 'old' form - nobody batted an eye.  No lines very few people in the PO at all:)  Once late afternoon, once earlier in the day.  My local PO doesn't have the new forms.

Ann

Hopefully there won't be a change.....the first time I heard about the new forms the start date was supposed to be March 28.....I guess we'll know soon enough!!

Mr. Gran took a package to the PO today, and the clerk he talked with said that they weren't going to put the software on the computers to input the new forms, so we are to use the old customs forms.  I am singing praises that we won't have to be traumatized by trying to work that out - at least for now, until they find something else to throw at us.  I guess I can throw all the new forms that the USPS sent us into the trash! 

Gran

 Can I attach the custom form to the package if I have the outside envelope thingy before I get to the PO? I search and can't find the answer anywhere....

 I find a place on the box where the clear envelope can go.  Next I will stick half of it to the box and insert the customs forms and leave the rest until after my forms are stamped at the post office.  After the forms are stamped I put them in the clear envelope and finish attaching it to the box.

I hope this makes sense.  I am falling asleep!

My post office prefers to apply the plastic envelope so I slip the form in the bottom half of the evelope to keep the papers together and let the Post office clerk handle the rest as they say it's easier to get the forms in the envelope if it isn't attached.  The one problem I've had is if I'm sending multiple boxes to the same contact.  I just put a little number or symbol on the box and mark the matching form with the same symbol.  Makes it easy to match them up at the post office.

Anna

We don't even take the plastic sleeve for the customs forms to the post office.  They supply those.  We put a tiny piece of cellophane tape on the bound section of the form and tape it to one of the strips of sealer tape on the package to keep them with the right package until we get to the clerk's window.  We also use corresponding numbers and letters on the box and on the bound section of the form if we are sending 2 or more to the same person. We will put FRB1, FRB2, MFRB, etc. We don't bother to do that if they are all for different people, as the names will match them up in that case.

Gran,

I've had the new forms for some time now, and my PO Clerk stated she didn't like the new forms any more than I did.  I completed the form a little more "generic" than I would have the old form, and I did not enter the weight for any of the items.  At least at my PO, this was acceptable and the clerk indicated the total weight on the form for me.  Nothing was ever said about the weight of each individual item.  So, maybe you will not have to worry about it either.  Of course, I know each PO is different, and some days depending on the clerks that particular PO is different.  I'm just thankful for the helpful PO clerks that have been assisting me! 

I work in one small town and live in another small town, and both post offices are always nice and helpful.  The one nearest my work know what I'm there for as soon as they see me coming through the door :)

My P.O. also does not have me fill out any weights for individual items - they just weigh the total.  I really don't like the new forms at all, but am learning to adjust to them.  It makes no sense to me that they want to know what's in the packages, but make it harder to list contents!

 Ahhh I just experienced this new form and came here to seek advice

    Thank you for this thread

 I think I made a mess of the form, oh well. I tried to fit it all on there, and list items out etc. Not much room

 Good idea about grabbing the old forms

 I'll see if I can find any

 Thanks for the info everyone

Amy

I have used the new form a couple of times now when I have had boxes with lots of the same thing (like the box of 216 freezer pops I just mailed out).  I have to tell the PO clerks where to fill in the information they have to like weight and total postage.  They said they won't be sent the new forms for another year or so.  I always ask for a stack of their forms when I go in since they have the older version.