Instructions for completing the NEW Customs Form
Oops, I think I need the other Form
Directions for completing the new Customs Form are on the first page of the Form. We encourage you to read those instructions, as the contents of your package might require additional fields completed than what is described below. We are only covering the basic Custom Form fields for a care package going overseas in these instructions.
From
This section of the Customs Form is where you enter your name and mailing address. If you are sending the care package from a business address or as a business you may also include the name of the business here. Be sure to put the correct information in the correct space provided.
To
The "To" section of the US Customs Form is where you will include the military member's name and mailing address. Use the examples above and below as a guide for how this section should look. And please, do not include the country they are deployed to. You can leave "Country" blank.
- Business (optional): write the unit number or company information
you may also leave this balnk
- Address: write the unit number or the address identifier
- City: write the APO/FPO designation
- State/Province: write the AE/AP/AA designation
- Post Code: write the 5 or 9 digit zip code
For example, here's how the following address could be entered on the Customs Form:
Doe, John
unit #xxxxx
X Company, X Battalion
FOB something
APO AE xxxxx–xxxx
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
Detailed Description
In this section you will want to list the items that are in the care package you plan to send. The US Postal Service is starting to crack down on generalized content descriptions, so list each item separately as best you can (i.e. books, shampoo, soap, candy, toothbrush).
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 doesn't 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 with your local Post Office if you have additional questions on what to place in this section.
Check One
Generally speaking care packages are gifts and are Airmail. However, if you need to select different options you may do so.
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
Because the Department of Defense no longer allows care packages to be addressed to "Any Service Member" or the like, all care packages sent to deployed troops are required to contain a full name and address for a specific person. This sometimes leads to returned care packages due to incorrect zip codes, unit numbers, spellings of names, and especially when the service member returns home. For most people it would be best to select the "Return to Sender" option unless you have another address for the intended recipient where the mail may be redirected to.
Date and Signature
The final portion of filling out the US Customs Form is to date and sign the form. The date you sign the form must be the same date you send the package.
