December 19, 2024

First-Class Package International Service (FCPIS) Customs Form Barcode Change

Customers are being advised of an upcoming change to First-Class Package International Service (FCPIS) designed to improve international tracking of their shipments. This change is the result of the Universal Postal Union’s (UPU) mandatory tracking regulation going into effect on January 1, 2025.

The USPS currently specifies the use of barcodes on PS Form 2976, Customs Declaration CN 22 — Sender’s Declaration. Barcodes beginning with the letter “L” (i.e. LA123456789US) are used for items addressed to the FCPIS Electronic USPS Delivery Confirmation International Service (E-USPS DELCON INTL) countries which provide tracking data, and barcodes beginning with the letter “U” (i.e. UA123456789US) are used for items addressed to all other countries.

Effective January 1, 2025, “U” series barcodes are being phased out for FCPIS in accordance with the UPU’s mandatory tracking regulation. All countries are being tasked with providing tracking data for every “L” series barcode item they receive. The USPS is therefore asking customers to print only “L” series barcodes for FCPIS items as of the effective date, regardless of country, and to completely discontinue printing FCPIS “U” series barcodes. Customers who do this should begin to receive tracking data for additional countries.

FCPIS items bearing “U” series barcodes entered after January 1, 2025, will continue to be dispatched to international destinations and will not be returned to sender. Nevertheless, customers are strongly encouraged to switch all FCPIS items to “L” series barcodes to realize the tracking benefit. Customers may contact their USPS Sales Representative if they have questions or require assistance.

Items sent via International Priority Airmail (IPA) and International Surface Air Lift (ISAL) are not impacted by the FCPIS change and must still bear a “U” series barcode on PS Form 2976, Customs Declaration CN 22 — Sender’s Declaration.