6 Tips for Filling Out a Customs Form

When you’re filling out a customs form, you can always ask the international shipping company you’re working with about something you don’t understand. It’s our job, after all, to make sure everything you’re sending gets to its destination quickly and safely. So that you’re set with as much information as you need, let’s go over some of the details of filling out a customs form here:

1. Most customs information is pretty straightforward. You’ll have to enter your address. The dimensions of what you’re sending will also be included – you can’t skip over these. When you’re sending something to another country, you won’t be successful if you only fill out what you want. Include all the information that’s asked.
2. There are some terms that look intimidating, but really aren’t. A waybill is the tracking number. You can find this on the shipping label.
3. You’ll have to fill out the Reason for Export. What is it? Is it something you’re selling? This is what most overseas shipping of this nature is. Be careful about marking it as a gift. Be honest if it is a gift, but if it isn’t, do not lie. A buyer may ask you to mark something as a gift because this helps them avoid duties. This may also help them never get what you’re shipping because it’s confiscated by customs. If it’s a sale, mark it as a sale. Don’t try to get one over on a foreign customs agency, because you won’t.
4. Country of Origin doesn’t refer to the place from which you’re shipping. It refers to where the item you’re shipping was made. If it’s a product, they want to know where it was made. Certain countries have laws regarding items made in specific other countries. These aren’t frequent, but it’s important you are honest about this.
5. When you describe the product, don’t be vague. Be very specific. If it’s a product, include make and model, including a physical description. Include color and year of make. Include a serial number. It doesn’t hurt to be overly specific. It can hurt to be overly vague. They don’t need to know its personal history, but they need as specific a description of the item as possible.
6. If you have questions about overseas shipping, ask an international shipping company like us. We’re happy to provide information and estimates that make the customs form process less intimidating.