Do US Military And Territory Shipments Require A Customs Form?
Shipments to U.S territories including Puerto Rico, Guam, Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands, and the Virgin Islands are in most instances considered domestic shipments. In such cases, packages to these regions usually don’t need to be accompanied by a customs form. The same applies to shipments to overseas U.S military bases. However, the domestic shipment exception only applies to a select class of products.
Therefore, depending on the nature and type of goods you need to be shipped to these territories and military bases, there is a possibility you will need to fill out a customs form. Whether you intend to ship goods to these territories or seek to set up an online store, it is critical that you learn the different types of products enjoying domestic shipping privileges and those that don’t.
As an entrepreneur, differentiating between the custom and non-custom goods isn’t just enough. Given that it is your responsibility to guide your clients accordingly on all matters purchase and shipping take time to orient yourself about where you can access these custom forms.
Here is a guide on the different categories of shipments enjoying domestic shipment privilege, ones that require a customs, and how to get and as well as fill them out.
Products enjoying domestic delivery privileges
In most cases, the only difference between custom and non-custom shipments to the US bases and territories from the US markets is their weight. However, some territories like Puerto Rico and the U.S Virgin Islands enjoy full domestic shipment privileges for goods sent in here regardless of their weight. Other territories including the American Samoa, Guam and even the Republic of Marshall Islands only enjoy the domestic shipment privilege to a limited extent.
Currently, only items weighing 16 ounces or less enjoy the domestic shipment rights. These include small parcels such as gifts, letters, personal effects, and documents. Sports RunRex observes that the same case applies to product shipments into the US military bases where only 16-ounce and other relatively lighter products will be allowed entry without a customs form.
Product shipments requiring customs form
According to the customs union regulations, shipments to US territories exceeding 16 ounces should be accompanied by duly filled customs form safe for the shipments to Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. The same case applies to shipments to US military bases (AA, AE, and APO).
Circumstances when 16-Ounce products require a customs form
There are exceptional circumstances when a delivery to the US territories and military bases, safe for Puerto Ricco and U.S Virgin Islands, are expected to be accompanied by a customs form. These include commercial products and purchases from third parties as well as merchandise for resale within these territories and bases. In such cases, the weight is not given consideration.
Therefore, when designing the checkout page for your e-commerce store, remember to optimize it into reflecting these requirements so that they do not appear as a hidden cost. Sports RunRex advices you to also include a link directing your clients to the customs department where they can access different forms relating to their specific shipments. Note that it would be more advantageous to your online store if you include a system within your site that automatically generates the necessary customs forms for your clients depending on your order information.
Implications of the customs forms on shipments
Unlike domestic shipments that are delivered to the destination address directly from your store, deliveries requiring custom forms are in most instances treated as international shipments. This implies that they have to be checked and cleared by the United States Customs and Border Protection agencies. Depending on the value and weight of your shipment as well as the amount of insurance, you might have to incur additional customs protection costs.
Exceptions to the domestic shipment privileges
While the U.S Virgin Islands and Puerto Ricco enjoy the domestic shipment rights, recent adjustment on the Customs and Border Protection acts sets a limit to their domestic shipment privilege. In this respect, you will still need to fill out a Customs form when shipping items valued at $2,500 or more to Puerto Ricco and the U. S Virgin Islands.
Additionally, packages sent through the priority mail or priority mail express also enjoy the domestic shipment advantages regardless of their weight. However, such packages have to be delivered to these U.S territories and military bases through Registered Mail. Sports RunRex observes that this exception doesn’t apply to documentation valued at over $400 or others that require an export license.
Bottom line
It is important that you help your clients identify the difference between product shipments to the U.S territories and overseas military bases that require customs clearance. Most importantly, Sports RunRex believes that you would also benefit significantly from reduced bounce rates if you were to either direct them to the customs forms or process the forms automatically on their behalf. As an e-commerce store owner, you are also required to remain abreast to the changing customs regulation to avoid misguiding your site visitors.