USPS® and UPS® have different processes when it comes to customs forms, and what you need to do with them. Here's what to do with those extra pages that will be printed with your international labels.
Multi-page Custom Forms for International USPS Shipments
Customs Forms Vary by Country: Depending on the country you're shipping to, your international USPS label might include multiple pages of customs forms. In this case, you can:
Use the USPS Customs Form Envelope: Place all your pages of customs forms inside the clear USPS Customs Form Envelope that you then affix to your package.
Use a Regular Envelope: If you don't have a USPS Customs Form Envelope, you can also place those extra customs form sheets in a regular envelope or a ziplock bag.
Whether you use a ziplock bag or an envelope, label it with the phrase "Customs Forms" and affix that envelope to the outside of your package.
Keep the Sender's Copy: If your customs forms come with a Sender's Copy, don't include it with your shipment! Keep that for your records 👍
Commercial Invoices for International UPS Shipments
International UPS labels don't come with customs forms, but Commercial Invoices.
Basics of Commercial Invoices: Commercial Invoices are documents that contain information about what you're sending, and the total value of the items inside your package.
Embedded Commercial Invoices: Commercial Invoices for international UPS shipments are often digitally embedded into the barcode of your label, but sometimes you'll need to print out physical documents and affix them to your package.
Most international UPS labels come with paperless Commercial Invoices
Most international UPS labels have paperless Commercial Invoice information embedded in their barcode, so you won't need to print any extra documents with your label.
Paperless Commercial Invoices: If Commercial Invoice information is embedded in the barcode, you'll see this "EDI" designation toward the bottom of your label:
EDI Designation: This "EDI" note signifies that your label is enrolled in the paperless invoice process.
Printed Invoices Have INV Designation: On the other hand, if a paperless Commercial Invoice can't be generated and you need to print out physical copies, this section will display "INV" instead of "EDI."
Affix any physical Commercial Invoice documents to your package
You may notice that an international UPS label prints along with 3 copies of an invoice. Those invoices will all look almost exactly the same, but do not discard any of these!
Affix All Commercial Invoice Documents: If 3 copies of an invoice print alongside your label, you must affix all 3 to the outside of the package!
Use a Ziplock Bag to Affix Commercial Invoices: Once you've printed your international UPS label and those 3 invoices, affix your label on your package and place the commercial invoices in a clear ziplock bag.
Label the ziplock bag with the phrase “Commercial Invoices" on it.
Affix that ziplock to the outside of your package, and you're all set!
Ziplock Alternatives: If you don't have a ziplock bag, Amazon also offers clear UPS pouches you can order and stick these Commercial Invoices inside of 😉
You can also use invoices or receipts from your store or eCommerce platform
For UPS shipments, you can supply your own invoices or receipts from your store, eCommerce platform, or marketplace!
Supplying Your Own Invoices: In order for UPS to consider your documents as proper commercial invoices, they need to have the following info on them:
Your business name & address
The recipient’s name & address
The item/quantity/value/description/total
If they do, simply print 3 copies of them and attach them as we talked about above👌
Commercial Invoices must be 8.5x11"
One thing to note about commercial invoices for UPS shipments is that they have to be printed on 8.5x11" paper.
You Can't Use 4x6" Label Printers: Since Commercial Invoices need to be on 8.5x11" paper, you can't use a 4x6" label printer to print them 🙈
UPS considers that size too small for their commercial invoices, and might return your package because of it!
Use a Desktop or Standard Printer: To print 8.5x11" commercial invoices, you'll need to use either a regular desktop printer or another standard printer you can access outside of your home or office.
Invoices You Supply Can Be 4x6": Alternatively, you can still supply your own invoices from your store, eCommerce platform, or marketplace...and those documents can be 4x6".
If you don't have access to an 8.5x11" printer and can't supply your own invoices, chat with us and we'll do our best to steer you in the right direction!
Make sure your Commercial Invoices are the correct size
To ensure your commercial invoice fills out your whole 8.5x11" paper and is the correct size for UPS, there are a couple of quick steps you need to take:
Select 4x6" Label Sizes: First, select your label size as 4x6" when you click the Print Label button, as seen in the image below:
Select "Fit to paper" in your Print Settings: Before you print, choose "Fit to paper" for the Scale setting. Here's how that looks:
Once you set that up, you're ready to go! Your commercial invoice will now fill up the entire 8.5x11" page when you print it 💪
For more information on shipping with UPS on Pirate Ship, check out our guide: Everything you need to know about UPS.
Chat with ARRrrr crew if you have any questions
Have any other questions, Cap'n? Click the button to live chat with our Support Crew or email us at support@pirateship.com - we'll help you get sailing in no time! 😃