Select a Large Envelope/Flat to Ship International | How To

In January 2018, USPS discontinued the service for First-Class Mail International service for Flats containing Merchandise. This service type remains an option for sending Documents. 

Fortunately, ShippingEasy provides options for sending documents or merchandise internationally in a package type called Large Envelopes/Flats through the Global Advantage Program. Learn more about GAP.

First, you will need to:

  1. Open the Order Details slide out by selecting an order on the ORDERS page.

    Order Details page with the Order Slide Out open
  2. Select First Class Mail under the Service drop-down in the Shipments section.

    The order details screen shows the shipment section marked

Determine if you are mailing Documents or Merchandise. Expand each section to learn more about shipping Large Envelopes/Flats via the First-Class Mail International service. Then follow the applicable steps.

How to Send First-Class International/Flats - Documents

A standard USPS international label will be created when the First-Class Mail International service is used for documents. This requires selecting the Large Envelope/Flat - Documents package type.

Be sure to declare accurate package contents. Shipping anything other than documents this way is considered postal fraud and could be subject to fines.

Tracking and Customs Declarations No Longer Appear on Labels

First-class Mail International labels will not display a tracking number or customs information on the label.

Example label for Documents:

USPS First-class mail international label with no tracking or customs info

How to send First-Class International/Flats - Documents

  1. Select Large Envelope/Flat - Documents from the Packaging drop-down in the Order Details slide out.

    Order details that show First Class Mail with Large envelope/flat documents marked.
  2. Scroll down to the "Customs Information" section. ShippingEasy has populated this information from the order and your INTERNATIONAL SHIPMENTS settings.

  3. Review the Customs Forms Totals for accuracy, especially the Weight, and update by selecting Override Customs Form.

    Order details Customs Information section showing Customs Forms Totals

    Documents/Letters must be under 1lb.

  4. Select Letters or Documents in the Package Content Type drop-down.

    Order details that show Letters and Documents marked in the package content type dropdown.
  5. Purchase and print your label using Buy Label.

  6. ShippingEasy will automatically generate the label using the correct format.

How to Send First Class International/Flats - Merchandise

ShippingEasy provides access to international consolidator services thanks to our valued carrier partnerships. By working with an international consolidator, it's possible to send merchandise in a Large Envelope/Flat through USPS First-Class Mail International. Better yet, consolidator rates are lower than First-Class Package International Service.

This requires selecting the Large Envelope/Flat - Merchandise package type.

These labels will look different from a standard USPS international label. The shipping label will:

  • Be a domestic label.

  • Be addressed to a Postal Processing Facility.

  • Include the international recipient's address.

  • Include an international tracking number.

  • Have customs forms sent electronically.

Example label for Merchandise:

USPS Flat merchandise consolidator label
  1. Select Large Envelope/Flat - Merchandise Packaging drop-down in the Order Details slide out.

    Order details that show First Class Mail with Large envelope/flat merchandise marked.
  2. Verify that the shipment is not time-sensitive, as this service does not include tracking.

  3. Scroll down to the "Customs Information" section. ShippingEasy has populated this information from the order and your INTERNATIONAL SHIPMENTS settings.

  4. Review the "Customs Forms Totals" for accuracy, especially the Value , and update by selecting Override Customs Form.

    Order details Customs Information section showing Customs Forms Totals

    International shipments containing merchandise are usually taxed. An accurate Value will ensure that the correct tariffs are assessed.

  5. Select Merchandise in the Package Content Type drop-down.

    Order details that show Merchandise marked in the package content type dropdown.
  6. Purchase and print your label using the Buy Label button.

  7. ShippingEasy will automatically generate the label using the correct format.

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