Pirate Ship knows which services and destination countries require multi-page customs forms, and will generate whichever forms you need automatically.
You may also get multiple pages if you've added a lot of line items to your customs form. In that case, you can just attach both labels to the outside of the box.
Most international shipments will only require a single label
Most shipments, such as those sent with First Class Package International or Simple Export Rate, only require a single integrated customs form, so there will only be one label for the entire shipment.
When a shipment requires more than one label, it's created automatically
Some international services or countries do require multi-page customs forms, and in those cases besides the shipping label you may also get a "Customs Declaration" or a "Dispatch Note."
When there's more than one, you'll want to print and attach every label Pirate Ship gives you to the outside of the package.
Use the free sleeves you can get from USPS!
It's best practice to use the free Customs Form Envelopes you can order from USPS here, and put the labels into it in the order that they are printed, so that the shipping label is the first one that's visible, and the "Customs Declaration" and "Dispatch Note" are behind it.
...or put the extra customs forms in a regular envelope
If you don't have one of those clear plastic sleeves, just attach the shipping label to the package, and put the other labels into a regular envelope that says "CUSTOMS" on it, and tape it the outside of the package.
Where to put Commercial Invoices for international UPS shipments
When you print an international UPS label, the label itself may print out along with multiple identical copies of an invoice (usually three). Those invoices will look almost exactly the same, but do not discard any of these! You need to affix all 3 to the outside of the package!
Once you've printed your international UPS label and those 3 invoices, affix your label on your box or envelope and be sure to place the commercial invoices in a clear pouch, like a ziplock bag 👍 Lastly, write the phrase "Commercial Invoices" on that clear pouch, affix it to the outside of your package, and you're all set!
Pro Tip: A ziplock bag should do the trick, but you could also order these clear adhesive shipping pouches on Amazon 😉
You can also use invoices or receipts from your store or eCommerce platform
For UPS shipments, you can use your own invoices or receipts from your store, eCommerce platform, or marketplace! They just 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 in the clear UPS pouch or a ziplock bag like we talked about above.
UPS Commercial Invoices must be 8.5x11" (unless you use your own)
One thing to note about commercial invoices for UPS shipments is that they have have to be printed on 8.5x11" paper. That means 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!
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. Alternatively, you can still supply your own invoices from your store, eCommerce platform, or marketplace...and those 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!
If you get stuck anywhere just chat with us, we're happy to help 😃