[dvdvol] Re: Customs forms, etc.

[Aaron Cannon]

Thanks for all this information.

Don't worry too much about burning DL discs.  We will most likely be
manufacturing the new DVDs, and then they will be shipped to each
volunteer for packaging and distribution.

Aaron

On 5/10/10, Johnnie CD <johnniecd at gmail.com> wrote:
> I have been using a Form 2976-FCMI on all items outside the US except some
> APOs and a request from Mexico that showed up in the US Que through a
> receiving service.
>
> The one to Mexico got held up as it had no 2976, declaration of value, bill
> of sale, or anything like it. The send me an email asking for one and they
> indicated all was well.
>
> I was following the advice on the PG website and attaching a customs form to
> everything even though the USPS code appears to indicate that they do not
> require it. Of course, the opinion of the USPS is not really the crucial one
> as the receiving countries postal service is the one that decides if the
> item will be delivered. As everything else had the customs form I do not
> know if it would have been an issue or not.  Most of the clerks at my local
> post office really do not understand international shipping so they are not
> very helpful.
>
> After my first visit to the post office with a handwritten multi-part
> customs form that they had never seen before I changed to the 2976 instead
> of the –A version and it is easier to work with. I currently export the
> name, correct the dropped characters from the impossibly long fields,
> isolate the City as required and  run my labels through my Stamps.com
> software so the customs form, address, and postage all print at the same
> time. I do this to avoid completing the customs form by hand, as it is quite
> tedious.  They have not yet made be pay the additional fee so it had usually
> been $2.03 except Canada, which is a little less.
>
> The Endicta folks are using a semi-static declaration form on their labels.
> It is not an USPS approved customs form but it has all of the same
> information and as it is static, you are supposed to just change the dates
> and run your labels. I have not tried international shipping with their
> service as I was usings the other folks service at home.
>
> It would be interesting to hear what other folks are finding. It would be
> much easier to forgo the customs form it will not have a negative impact on
> delivery.
>
> BTW, I sent Paul an email and he indicated that his gear will duplicate DL
> DVDs.
>
> I can also burn a few but not the quantities that I have consumed in the
> past.
>
> I tried the Ridata DVD-R DL from the online store. They are x4 and a little
> slow but my gear keeps rejecting them as non-identical copies. I Tried the
> TDK DVD+R (the only think on the shelf in the local store) they are x8 and
> they ran through without any errors. Of course they were considerably more
> expensive. I will try another brand next time I order and see how they work.
>
>
> Johnnie
>