So, I'm shipping a book to a TMP Member in Australia (three weeks ago).
The new customs form requires the sender to fill out same; the Postal Clerk types in the information and that is transferred to an adhesive label that is printed out and affixed to the package.
The sender is given his paper copy (the original he filled out) with bar code label attached.
So, I'm shipping this book with a declared value of $51.30 USD: that is, the value on the form is clearly printed as '$51.30'.
The clerk prints out the label, slaps it on the package and places it the bin. I pay and leave.
The book comes back to me last week with US Customs Stickers all over it and instructions in a clear plastic sleeve attached to the package.
The Clerk made a typo on the 'Declared Value' and instead of '$51.30' typed in '$5130.00' which requires additional boxes filled out on the Customs Form since the declared value is equal to or greater than $2,500.00 USD.
Now, at my local Post Office the Clerk handles the transaction behind the counter; I have no opportunity to check that the Clerk typed the information correctly.
I brought the book back, a new label was placed over the old one and the book was on its way – again.
Since then I've shipped two additional packages overseas and now I ask to see the label that is attached to the package. Lesson learned.
