When I mailed a couple of boxes yesterday, I said to the postal clerk, "What are we going to do when we get the new customs forms with the grids, just ignore the grids and write like we do now?"  He said, "That's what I'd do." Don't know if that will really work, but we'll see. The current forms want us to indicate number and value on individual items in the box, we just don't do it. Maybe there's hope. But maybe he hasn't been trained on the new forms.

I thought that I would try using one of the new forms on one of the packages I had packed to mail Thurs. since I had one with only a few different items, so I called the USPS phone number to ask how they wanted the address entered on it.  She was totally stumped, and only asked for my zip code and gave me the phone number of my post office - really helped me a lot 

We tried to get our feet wet using the new forms on one of the packages that Mr. Gran carried to the PO today.  I filled it out except for the addressee's address so that the clerk could tell us exactly how to do it.  The clerk said they hadn't seen them or been told how to fill them out, so to just mark out all the printing like it was plain, and write it in like we always did.  Mr. Gran didn't bother to ask about what to do with any items that wouldn't fit in the list of contents. 

Gran, thanks for keeping us informed of your adventures with this new form.  Did you only write a few of the things that you had in the box and forget the rest since they wouldn't fit on the form?  Perhaps I am making this more complicated than it is. 

Andrea,

I used the new form for the package that I only had 4 items to list.  I put in large boxes of snacks and filled in around them with the same small trail mix packages as in one box.  I wanted to see how it would work first with a very simple list to figure out how to write in the addressee.  Since the PO clerk knew nothing about them, I am hoping that his suggestions will work.

 We had not mailed any packages lately, so I was wary as we took some to the P.O. today.  They still had several old forms on the table in the lobby (after we left, there weren't any left....... but I have a little supply for the next couple of times!!!)

The clerk had no clue when I asked about the new forms - she just said they were not changing!  I am wondering about communication within the P.O.

Spent a half hour talking to our local postmaster.  The new forms are to be used starting March 28.  All boxes will require them and (according to her) old forms will need to be replaced by new ones.  They are instituting a new computer system and each item will have to be individually inputted into the PO computer when the pkg is mailed (!).  We're supposed to put detailed info including weight of each item and cost.  So much for variety?  There are only 4 lines....  SOoooo.  I would advise everyone to write to the Postmaster General, and any political/military contact you have because this is an outrage to have to do this for the military and they should be an exception.  If not, I'm afraid it will discourage groups from mailing many pkgs.

Yes, I agree with you, peachycor, we are going to find ourselves in a jam, when the new 2976A forms become mandatory. There are not enough lines for 5 or 6 line APO addresses. I was told to use as many forms as needed to list all the box's contents--sounds like such a frustrating waste.  This form, used correctly, is difficult to unusable for most APO care package mailing to our troops.  The result could be a falling off of the troop support.  What a shame that would be!

I've also been talking to several PO folks, with no success.  Our postmaster (who seems to understand the problem, but is unable to help) suggested that we, as a group, organize and file our complaints with our local state Reps and Senators.  I am not sure this would be effective, but it's what we're faced with, at this point.  I am going to begin with writing this website for their assistance and possible influence to get us a workable solution.  Maybe we should contact other support the troop groups, requesting that they become involved, also.  If we actually want to create a change within our PO system, we're going to need to enlist a lot of help.

So far, our PO has been accepting the old forms.  I feel lucky about that, but the day of reckoning does appear to loom out there.  What do you all think we should do about this?

Can't believe they'd want more than 1 form so everything could be inputted into their new computer system!  Can you imagine the log-jam at the PO when we arrive with our 25 boxes and they must input all items in every box?  What are they thinking?  I did find that on the USPS.com website there is a place "contact us" at the bottom of the page.  We should inundate them with messages re this new requirement.  I e-mailed Marty Horn to alert him and he thinks it's going to depend on the postal clerk.  However, the postmaster here said it will be their new system and a nationwide requirement.  Anyone else with info or ideas? 

This requirement starts March 28.  Was told old forms will not be accepted then.  We can only up their system isn't up and running by then and we buy some time to get an exception for the military.  Go to USPS.com and click on 'contact us' at the bottom of the page and express your concerns.

Usps.com -- 'contact us'  is where I started complaining, several weeks ago.  After that 1 complaint, I did recieve a flurry of PO contact -- letters, emails, and phone calls from several local postal agents and from the main PO in Portland, OR (our nearest big city).  No one was able to even direct me to anyone who could help me find a solution.  They suggested contacting our state's Rep and Senator.  However, it cannot hurt for all of us to complain on the usps website, as a starting point.  It's a good idea, peachycor.

I, for one, just sent an email to one of our Senators and asked for her to please help us.  She at least works for the betterment of the military where she can.

Well I found out today you ladies are misinformed, there is no new custom form!  And I know there isn't because I spoke with a person at the 1-800 number for USPS so there is no problem!      He insisted there is no new form coming out, when I told him I knew of people who actually had the new forms in their hands, he said I was mistaken or they had the wrong form!  Can you believe that!!!???   Our post office still has no info on it.  It would be nice if he were right, but I tend to belive the folks on here more than the PO!   

 I did send an e-mail to them as well and will be sending off to our Senators/State Rep.  Don't really expect any help what with all the economic woes they are dealing with, but dang it this could really affect people mailing to our guys, especially new ones. 

Our post office is moving into their new bldg over the weekend so doubt they will want to do any research, might be just as well, maybe as long as they don't know about it we can use our old forms.    Anita

MomAnita, that was hysterically funny!  How can we get anywhere with a system that doesn't even know what's what?  Thanks for the crack up!

You could tell the 1-800 number USPS person that they can go to usps.com, click order supplies, and look for ps customs form 2976-A.  You can tell them that they can order some wonderful, new, unusable customs forms 2976-A for themselves.  Of course, they still might not see what the problem is--some folks are just hard of seeing.

Anita,

Two out of the three times that I have even bothered to call the 800 number for the USPS, they have ended up just giving me the phone number for our local PO where we don't ever go because it is way out of our way in a tiny little burg and to top it off it is a long distance phone call if we use our land line phone.  Our mail carrier even makes fun of USPS about the way they conduct their business.