International label printing

[Former_Member]

I printed some 1st class Mail labels and loved how easy they are to do. Thank you!!
I need to know if I still need to fill out the custom form for 1st Class that requires me to say the cost of the product?? I had just dropped off a package but did not fill anything out. Hope it okay. If not, I'll be in trouble, lol! I didn't think about asking first. oh well.

[PinchtheMuse]

Just sign and date and you're good. If you take a look at the label you will see that it contains all the customs information right there.
Very easy :o)

[janeeroberti]

And I just asked at my PO if I still had to bring them to counter to scan in, but the guy said, no, I can put it in the box. Yay.

[FiberBeads]

This is absolutely the most wonderful time saver! Print sign tape and put the flag up. thanks very much!

[Former_Member]

PinchtheMuse, what did you mean by sign and date? I put the description of the items when I printed out the label. It did not ask me for the cost like on the form though. I assume that because the cost is already in the system? I did not sign anything. I just printed the label affixed it and dropped off at the PO. Where do you sign? uh oh!

[PinchtheMuse]

At the bottom of the label there is a place for you to sign and write in the date.

I've read of people forgetting and it going through fine and of others who have had it returned to them for not having it signed and dated. It depends on how closely your PO is checking?

I've had two different postal workers tell me two different things about signing and dating (shocking, eh?). One told me it has to be signed and dated and the other said because the labels are generated online through a "known shipper" --you should sign and date, but it isn't the end of the world if you don't.

I go with signing and dating because obviously different clerks have different views on it.

Hopefully, yours will go through fine.

Edit to add: The customs number can work like a tracking number while the package is in the USA. You can see if the package is "moving" IF it is being scanned. If I remember right, however, a package can be stopped and returned to sender at any point in transit if a PO decides something is wrong with it (wrong postage, not the right paperwork, etc).

[Former_Member]

Thanks!! Oh boy, had two packages went out without sign and date! Bummer! Now I have the stress that they may come back to me too close to the holidays rush. I didn't even notice there is a spot for date and sign thing on the labels!! The text on the label were small and faint in comparing to the US labels. Well at least I learned this just in time for another package goes out international on Monday. I probably would have done the same mistake of not sign and date. Thanks for the tip about "tracking number" also. I looked, and it says "electronic info rec'd" but nothing else. Does not look good!! I emailed to warn the buyers so they have some ideas. Well, nothing I can do now but wait and pray and go have some chocolate and hope it makes me feel better lol! Thanks!

[PinchtheMuse]

Sometimes my international packages don't get scanned until they hit the exit point. Usually New York for mine. So, your packages could be "moving" but not being scanned.

The "electronic info received" means you printed the label. You won't see another entry until/if the package gets scanned.

If you dropped the package off at your PO after collection hours on Saturday you probably won't see a scan until Monday. If your PO doesn't scan at all (some do some don't) you may not see a scan until the package gets to your regional sort facility. The sort facilities are "usually" good about scanning things.

You could go to the PO where you dropped the package(s) Monday morning when they open and see if the package is still there and/or ask if the not signing is an issue.

[Former_Member]

This is so helpful as I am about to print my first international label with this system.

[ninedoorsvintage]

This is good info. I noticed that the International label that prints through DC does not have multiple copies like the handwritten version. PayPal's version also has multiple copies. It's my understanding that the multi copies each serve a purpose along the route, and one is for me to retain for my records.

If I use the DC version is the one copy enough? Does this work for both the postage and as the customs slip?

I would appreciate an answer from an Admin DC staffer, please and thanks!!

[BeadinByTheSea]

I am SO thankful for international shipping labels through Etsy especially during this busy Christmas season. I went to my PO several times to put my packages in the box and the line up was out the door. Just drop my packages in and I was done! Thank you Etsy!

[LinorStoreDesigns]

Is there tracking information available for International? What are the options as far as prices?

Like for UK, Australia and Norway?

[SerenaSmithLampwork]

Tina Pfeiffer from forrestinavintage says

This is good info. I noticed that the International label that prints through DC does not have multiple copies like the handwritten version. PayPal's version also has multiple copies. It's my understanding that the multi copies each serve a purpose along the route, and one is for me to retain for my records.

If I use the DC version is the one copy enough? Does this work for both the postage and as the customs slip?

I would appreciate an answer from an Admin DC staffer, please and thanks!!

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i'm not an admin but i can tell you that the type of customs form you use depends on the method of shipment or the size of the package. i ship small packages via first class and only have to print out the one half sheet label. if you choose a method or go over a certain weight and you need the multiple sheet thing, then etsy will send those pages to your printer. then, you go to the post office and get the cello envelope to put the papers in and put it on your package.

[my2lilpixies]

anyone having any issues printing labels right now? it is not letting me do it..