We receive a lot of questions about sending care packages to the troops. Some of the most popular questions are about those darn customs forms (PS Form 2976–A) that you have to fill out before you can send a care package.
Today, I will walk you through the process of filling out a Customs Form, AKA Customs Sheet, in simple to follow, step by step instructions that should set you up for success the next time you want to send a military care package overseas.
NOTE: You may also hear the Customs Form referred to as a Customs Sheet, Custom Form or Custom Sheet, or the plural of those references Customs Forms (correct), Customs Sheets, Custom Forms or Custom Sheets. Regardless of what you hear it being called, when shipping a package to an APO, DPO or FPO address you will need a PS Form 2976-A and you will need a separate form for each package you send. Hopefully this information helps.
The Basics
- How To Send the Care Package:
Priority Mail – flat rate boxes usually save you money - Form You Need:
PS Form 2976–A - Where You Get the Form:
Either at your US Post Office or you can fill it out online at https://www.usps.com/customsforms. If using the online form, the USPS website will automatically print the correct number of copies you’ll need. Thank you www.skipcares.org!
- Package Weight:
If you know for certain that the scale you use to weigh the package (in pounds and ounces) is calibrated exactly the same as the one at the US Post Office, the online form might be an option for you; otherwise you will need to use the paper form. Using the paper Form, the Post Office will enter the weight of the package for you. - Information the Form Requests:
recipient’s address (for your purposes this will be the APO, DPO or FPO address), sender’s address, package contents, package weight, package value in U.S. dollars, and a few miscellaneous things. - Estimated Time To Complete:
3–5 minutes
Tips for the Online Form
- If you are using a flat rate box – even if it is larger than 12″. Do not check the box in the bottom of the first page screen.
- When completing on-line you have to provide a weight. Then you will need to make sure you provide accurate weight for the items in the package so the two weights match.
- Also, when completing the # of items you may just want to put 1, even if there are more. The weight calculates per item. For example, if you are sending 6 boxes of candy and each weighs 10 oz or so the weight will calculate at 60 oz. which will not equal the weight you put in at the beginning.
NOTE: These instructions are only for APO, FPO, and DPO addresses. If you are mailing a package to an address that’s not an APO, FPO or DPO address, do not follow these instructions. Instead, contact your Post Office and ask for help.
From:
From section of a US Customs FormTo:
To section of a US Customs Form- Business (optional): write the unit number or company information
you may also leave this blank - Address: write the unit number or other address identifier (FOB, COP, etc)
- City: write the APO/DPO/FPO designation
- State/Province: write the AE/AP/AA designation
- Post Code: write the 5 or 9 digit zip code
Examples are below.
THE ADDRESS YOU HAVE Doe, John unit #xxxxx X Company, X Battalion FOB something APO AE xxxxx–xxxx Doe, John B Co. 3/47 FA FOB something APO AE xxxxx–xxxx | CUSTOMS FORM FIELDS Last Name: Doe First Name: John Business: unit #xxxxx X Co, X Btn Address: FOB something City: APO State/Province: AE Post Code: xxxxx–xxxx Last Name: Doe First Name: John Business: B Co. 3/47 FA Address: FOB something City: APO State/Province: AE Post Code: xxxxx–xxxx |
Detailed Description
Description Tips:
- Don’t worry about the one-letter per block here, use abbreviations as much as possible and place commas between items to fit more than one per line. This way, one Customs Form may be enough per package.
- If you run out of room and still have items to list, you will need to include a second Customs Form with the package, so write small.
- There does not need to be weight or value for each item as long as the weight and value are given for the entire package. The quantity field may also be left empty if the quantity of each item is given in the item description field. For example, if you had a care package that contained 1 bottle of shampoo, 2 bars of soap, 1 toothbrush, 1 tube of toothpaste, and 3 bags of candy, you could list them all like this: shmpo – 1, soap – 2, tthbrsh – 1, tthpst – 1, candy – 3
Check One
The Total Gross Weight must be exact. It’s best to let the Post Office fill that in for you.
The Total Value US $ can be an approximation and you need to have that filled in before giving the package to the Postal worker.
Nondelivery Instructions
Date and Signature
NOTICE: For security purposes, Do Not include addresses in the comments below. If you have questions specific to an address you have been given, please contact your local Post Office.