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Send a letter to the USA
Summary: s-lana is looking for advice on sending small artworks to the United States via La Poste, given the recent restrictions. *miss-tigri* recommends visiting a post office for more clarity, while @koalagris stresses the importance of secure shipping. francexpressdeal suggests contacting international customer service for precise answers. s-lana mentions that after following their own steps, the letter reached its recipient in 20 days, confirming the effectiveness of online postage. Discussions about forum participation limits lead to clarification by lingma85, who reiterates postal requirements for various shipments.
Hello,
I just sold my miniature painting in the USA, business-card size.
I’ve always sent them by registered letter to the USA, but now the post office branches no longer accept mail for this destination. I bought the postage online, as the post office told me to do, and I’m stuck at this point! Do I need to fill out a customs form to attach in 2 copies on a simple letter? Or can I drop it directly into the post office mailbox? What are your experiences with sending letters to the United States?
s-lana
OP7 months agoIn the end, the tracked letter, postage paid online, with no customs document at all, really did arrive at the recipient's place in 20 days, with no issues whatsoever. I followed it day by day, and this morning it was delivered. Same as before, except for the postage paid online, printed on my printer, and dropped directly into the local LaPoste outside mailbox. Total weight - 35-40g max, with a thin cardboard insert for anti-bend protection, and a zip plastic bag, against moisture.
s-lana
OP7 months agoApparently there are only 3 people on this forum....
koalagris
Mentor7 months agoHello @s-lana
Shipping an item of such value by tracked letter in France is already more than imprudent (no proof of delivery address//no compensation from the carrier in the event of loss or damage), so abroad it's just bordering on recklessness....
Use a more secure shipping method.
(and take the opportunity to review the shipping method for your other online listings, otherwise sooner or later we'll end up seeing you back on the forum because of disputes over non-receipt)
Best regards
s-lana
OP7 months agoThank you for your advice, but what more secure shipping methods can you recommend for me for the USA?
s-lana
OP7 months agoWho has sent a letter to the USA recently? What are the formalities? A response from a painter/artist would interest me a lot! Thanks in advance
francexpressdeal
Mentor7 months agoHello @s-lana
it would be better if you contacted La Poste directly. Call 36 31 and ask for international customer service.
s-lana
OP7 months agoAnd you yourselves, don't you ever ship to the USA?
francexpressdeal
Mentor7 months ago@s-lana
no, otherwise I would have told you how to proceed.
The only thing I'm certain of is that you'll have to fill out a CN23 no matter what format your shipment is in (letter or package).
s-lana
OP7 months agoHere we go, we’re getting there!
so, I’m looking for people who have ALREADY SENT letters to the USA
Thanks in advance!
*miss-tigri*
Mentor7 months agoHello
According to this link, you need to send it by Colissimo.
https://www.laposte.fr/envoyer/envoyer-lettre-courrier-documents-etats-unis
the best thing would be to go to the post office.
s-lana
OP7 months agoLa Poste no longer accepts any shipments to the USA, neither parcels nor letters
You have to buy the postage online and put the letter in their mailbox.
For 20 years I have never had any problems with my letters sent to the USA before the US rates were put in place in August 2025.
Now, I’m looking for information on how to fill out the documents properly (if that’s necessary for a letter) and to make sure the letters reach their recipients.