To create international shipping labels in Stamps.com, you will follow the same basic process as domestic shipping labels.
The difference is the type of label that is printed and if any additional forms are necessary, like Customs Declarations, Commercial Invoices, or Certificates of Origin. Whether any additional forms are required will depend on which carrier you are using to ship the package, where it is going, and the value of the goods it contains.
Fortunately, you won't need to worry about making these decisions in most cases since Stamps.com takes care of it all for you! Stamps.com sends all the shipment and customs details to the postage provider when you create the label. The provider then determines which form must be used and automatically sends back the correct forms.
Stamps.com offers several carrier and service options for you to choose from when shipping internationally so that you can compare rates and transit times and select the best service for your international shipment. You can ship internationally with the following carriers (click to view their available services and details):
A Customs Form declares all the items contained within a shipment when that shipment crosses international borders. Customs agencies require customs forms to help them regulate the flow of goods in and out of each country.
USPS
The most common types of customs forms used by the USPS are the CN22/23 and CP72. USPS customs declarations are printed directly on the label. There are no additional forms to print through Stamps.com. Depending on which service you've selected, you may receive several copies of the label. When this occurs, affix a USPS customs declaration form envelope to the package and insert the copies of the label into the envelope. Learn more about the USPS customs requirements and forms.
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The CN22/23 form is also referred to as PS Form 2976. It is required for all First Class international shipments valued under $400.
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The CP72 form is also referred to as PS Form 2976-A. It is required for all Priority Mail international shipments or shipments valued over $400.
Other Carriers
Other carriers, like UPS or DHL Express, include customs declarations on a Commercial Invoice. A commercial invoice is the official transaction record between a shipper and a recipient and is often used by customs offices in the same way as CN22/23 and CP72 forms.
Customs forms typically include the following information:
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Package contents (like merchandise or documents)
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Item description
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Item quantity and value
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Country of Origin
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Non-delivery option
All of these details can be added to your international orders in Stamps.com. Stamps.com then sends the details to the carrier when you create the label. The appropriate forms are then returned to Stamps.com so you can print them.
When configuring an international shipment, you'll need to add the shipment details to the customs form. Once you save the customs details, you'll continue to create the label like you normally would.
Online
Whether creating international shipping labels when shipping packages on the Mail tab or when shipping ecommerce orders, the process for filling out customs information is the same.
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Click the Customs Form button in the Contents section.
The Customs Information window will open.
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Select how your package should be handled in the event that it cannot be delivered from the Non-Delivery Options drop-down menu.
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Return to sender: Select this option if you wish for the package to be returned to you. Depending on the services you've selected, you may incur additional return package fees.
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Treat as abandoned: Select this option if you do not wish for the package to be returned to you.
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Enter your Internal Transaction Number (ITN) into the ITN field if required for your shipment.
An ITN may be required if any of the following are true:
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The total value of goods contained in the package exceeds $2,500
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Any of the goods in the package require an export license under US law
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The destination country is Iran, Syria, or Sudan
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The destination country is Cuba or North Korea and does not qualify as humanitarian aid
Learn more about Internal Transaction Numbers and when they are required.
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Select the option that best describes the contents of your package from the Package Contents drop-down menu.
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Enter the Item Description, Qty, and Unit Price, select the country the item was Made In, and enter the HS Tariff code for each product in the package.
Click the Add Item button for additional line items.
Look up the HS code for your item by clicking the HS Tariff column header. The GlobalPost HS Classification Tool will open.
Country Specific Requirements
Item information requirements may vary depending on the country you are shipping to. Check out our Country Specific Shipping Requirements help article for more information.
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Check the box to agree to the UPS International Shipping Forms Statement and Restrictions and Prohibitions. Then, click the Close button.
Your customs information is now filled in correctly.
PC Software
Whether shipping international orders from the International page or shipping ecommerce orders from the Orders page the steps for entering customs information are the same.
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Click the Select button by Customs on the Orders page or the Edit Form button on the International page to enter the shipment's customs information.
The Complete Customs Form button on the Orders page and the Edit Form button on the International page
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Select the option that best describes the contents of your package from the Type of Contents drop-down menu. Then, enter a Description for the package contents.
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Enter your IOSS Number or VAT Number into the Internal Transaction field required for your Shipment.
An ITN may be required if any of the following are true:
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The total value of goods contained in the package exceeds $2,500
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Any of the goods in the package require an export license under US law
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The destination country is Iran, Syria, or Sudan
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The destination country is Cuba or North Korea and does not qualify as humanitarian aid
Learn more about Internal Transaction Numbers and when they are required.
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Enter the item Description, SKU, Weight, and Unit Price. Enter the HS Tariff code, select the country the item was Made In, and enter the Value. Then, click the Add Item button.
Repeat for each item in the package.
Look up the HS code for your item by clicking the HS Tariff column header. The GlobalPost HS Classification Tool will open.
Country Specific Requirements
Item information requirements may vary depending on the country you are shipping to. Check out our Country Specific Shipping Requirements help article for more information.
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Check the box to agree to the UPS International Shipping Forms Statement and Restrictions and Prohibitions. Then, click the Close button.
The customs information is now entered correctly.