How to mail a package internationally?

Question

I'm in a long distance relationship with my boyfriend who lives in Canada; I live in California. I wanted to send him a Christmas gift and something for his birthday, which is in January. I've sent him letters in the past which have not been much of a hassle; I just had to pay extra postage. Now, I will be sending a package. I read somewhere that because it will be leaving the country I need a passport (even though I'll clearly be staying here) and that I will have to fill out a customs form. I have not yet found another website that mentions needing a passport and when I try to search the web for an answer, I get questions about mailing a passport internationally.

Could someone please walk me through this process? I really need this answered as soon as possible and I don't know anyone else to ask. Obviously the easy answer is to go to a post office, but I live in a college dorm with no transportation and would be mailing this around Thanksgiving, when I would be home for the holiday.

Answer 1

I've mailed packages to other countries including Canada and I was never asked for my passport. As others have said, USPS has all the details you need:



1) Make sure that you can ship it

2) Pack it up

3) Address it accurately

4) Weigh and measure the package

5) Complete a customs form



https://www.usps.com/ship/international-how-to.htm

Answer 2

You don't need a passport but your package HAS to have a customs form filled out. For that you have to take it to the post office; as they have the forms there; there just is no other way. Does your uni have a postal annex? Ask there. International costs for mailing are also calculated on weight, size and country. You can't do this without a post office, sorry.

Answer 3

USPS.com has all the details, but in the end you will need to go to a post office to mail it. Open an account and you can buy postage online, fill out and print the Customs Declaration and postage at home, if you can get an accurate weight of the package. It may be simpler to just address the box and take it to the counter. The Customs Declaration will ask for a description of the contents and their value. Filling it out incorrectly could cause your package to be returned to you or confiscated and destroyed. All mail to Canada travels by air and Customs is in Toronto. One to two weeks for delivery is typical. You do not need to show any ID to send a package.

Answer 4

Passports are for people, not for anything else. A person only needs one if they are going to another country. I really can't figure out why anyone would think that a person has to have a passport to mail a package.

Answer 5

you ask the post office