Mailing Essentials
Whether you’re sending a package to Puerto Rico or a flat to Guam, Stamps.com makes it easy for you to send your mail to all U.S. Territories!
The first thing to remember is that U.S. Territories are considered domestic mail, so you would use the Stamps.com domestic sections for sending mail to these locations. Due to USPS requirements regarding tracking barcodes, we recommend using the “Packages” option within the Stamps.com software if the thickness of your mail piece is over 3/4″.
Like U.S. states, territories and possessions have two-letter codes and each address will be matched and cleansed according to USPS mailing standards. The codes are:
AS – American Samoa
GU – Guam
MP – Northern Mariana Islands
PR – Puerto Rico
VI – Virgin Islands
UM – U.S. Minor Outlying Islands
Do I need customs forms?
This will vary according to the location. You do not generally need a customs form for mail headed to Puerto Rico or the Virgin Islands. See below for all other U.S. Territories.
Preparing your Customs Forms and Shipping Labels
You will always need a customs form for all the other U.S. territories. Stamps.com takes the guesswork out of this process. When printing a shipping label, the Stamps.com software will automatically alert you or convert the label into the appropriate Shipping Label/Customs Form when you enter a territorial address!
Alternatively, you can manually select Stamps.com’s Online Customs Form (2976-A). This form for Priority Mail combines postage and customs forms into one convenient label and you can print this on plain paper! You can fill out the required customs form information electronically on our software. How? Follow the simple steps below:
– Select your content type.
– Enter your itemized package content details and click on “Add Item” for each separate type of product/article you are shipping.
– Enter an ITN number if your package’s total value exceeds $2,500 or if your particular goods require an export license.
Stamps.com’s Online Customs Form (2976-A) option can be found under the software’s Packages and Batch sections. Once you enter an address for a U.S. territory, you’ll see “Plain Paper 2976-A 3 sheets per label” appear on the drop-down Printing On menu.
Micronesia, Palau, and the Marshall Islands
Wait, aren’t the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of Palau, and the Republic of the Marshall Islands independent countries? Yes, but they have a special arrangement with the United States known as the Compact of Free Association, and use USPS domestic mail service. They also use 2-letter state codes:
FM – Federated States of Micronesia
MH – Marshall Islands
PW – Palau
To send mail to these countries, you may use the Domestic options within the Stamps.com software.
Shipping your packages to U.S. Territories with Stamps.com
So you have your label and package ready to ship. What’s next? In the Stamps.com software, you can schedule a pickup for these mailpieces if your request includes at least one or more Priority Mail and Priority Mail Express mailpieces.
After sending out your packages, just keep in mind that shipment times to destinations outside of the contiguous United States may be longer than normal. While delivery time is never guaranteed, your Priority Mail package to Puerto Rico or the Virgin Islands may take up to 3 days to reach its destination, whereas it would have taken only 2 days to reach a destination within the contiguous states.
U.S. territories are treated as domestic destinations by USPS. Use the following steps to ship packages to territories like Puerto Rico, Guam, or the Virgin Islands using Stamps.com.
Since U.S. territories are considered domestic, select domestic shipment options in your Stamps.com interface.
If your mailpiece is thicker than ¾″, select “Packages” rather than “Mail” to ensure proper label formatting.
Fill out content details (description, value, quantity) and click “Add Item” for every type of product you ship.
If the package value exceeds $2,500 or certain goods require an export license, enter the International Transaction Number (ITN) in the form.
Stamps.com will automatically offer the “Plain Paper 2976-A” option when a territorial address is used. This merges postage and customs into one label.
Once your label and customs form are generated, you can either schedule a USPS pickup or drop off your package at a USPS location.
Delivery is made by the country's postal service in 3 - 5 business days, depending on the destination.
Generally, it takes Priority Mail International six to ten business days. USPS hands off shipments at the border of the destination country before the local postal service completes the delivery.
While price varies depending on weight and destination, rates for this service begin at $17 dollars.
UPS Worldwide Saver is faster than UPS Worldwide Expedited, offering delivery by the end of the next business day to major business centers, compared to 2-5 business days for Worldwide Expedited. Worldwide Saver provides a more economical alternative to premium express services while maintaining quick delivery.
UPS Worldwide Saver guarantees delivery by the end of the business day, one day faster than UPS Worldwide Expedited. This service connects major business centers in over 220 countries and territories with time-definite delivery and customs clearance included.
DHL Express is a premium international shipping service that offers fast, time-definite delivery to over 220 countries and territories. It's designed for urgent packages, with door-to-door tracking, customs support, and express delivery options for businesses and individuals.
Flat Rate Envelopes are ideal for documents or small, dense items weighing 4 lbs or less, as they offer a single price based on the destination country. For items between 4 lbs and 70 lbs, or those that don't fit into the Flat Rate Envelopes, you'll need to ship by weight using your own packaging. It’s more affordable to use Flat Rate boxes if your item is under 20 lbs.
Stamps.com makes international shipping easy by offering international services from USPS, UPS, and other carriers including GlobalPost. We make customs forms hassle free, so you can complete them online with ou guidance, and simply print to include with your international shipment.
Yes. Your packages may be inspected to ensure compliance, as USPS is very strict about what items qualify for Media Mail.
