224 Mail Preparation

224.1 Preparation by Sender

224.11 Using PS Form 2976-B

Before mailing, the sender must fulfill any nonpostal export requirements described in chapter 5 and fill out PS Form 2976-R as described in 123.74 or use an electronically generated PS Form 2976-B as a combined customs form and shipping label as described in 123.73.

224.12 Using an Online Combined Shipping Label and Customs Form That Electronically Transmits Customs-Related Data

Prior to mailing, the sender must fulfill any other nonpostal export requirements described in chapter 5 and fully complete the applicable online customs form.

224.2 Preparation by Acceptance Employee

224.21 Using PS Form 2976-R

Employees must follow the instructions in 123.742 to verify a sender’s PS Form 2976-R and to generate PS Form 2976-B.

Note: Consistent with 225.12, the sender must present any item bearing a handwritten PS Form 2976-R to an employee at a Post Office retail service counter.

224.22 Using an Online Combined Shipping Label and Customs Form That Electronically Transmits Customs-Related Data

Employees must do the following:

1. If presented to a USPS acceptance employee, check to ensure the mailer has completed the sender’s information, the addressee’s information, and the customs information portions.
2. Apply the correct amount of postage to the mailpiece, or ensure that the correct amount of postage is affixed to the mailpiece.
3. After acceptance, place each item in the appropriate working pouch for forwarding to the international exchange office authorized to dispatch Priority Mail Express International shipments to that destination. (See Handbook T-5, International Mail Operations.)

Note: For online shipments, customer receipts are not necessary; for non-IRT or non-POS offices, record the required finance information on the special form provided for this purpose.