Question: I was at the Manoa post office recently to mail a small packet to Canada that required a customs form, which I had filled out. When I arrived there they said they could not take a handwritten customs form because they were a contract post office. I felt this was bad service. They said I had to go to another post office. Do our tax dollars fund this contract post office? And if so, should they not be able to perform all transactions? It was inconvenient to drive there and then to be told that they couldn’t accept my very basic package. I feel this is not acceptable as a taxpayer.

Answer: First off, tax dollars do not fund Contract Postal Units, such as the one in Manoa Marketplace, or any U.S. Postal Service facility, said spokesman Duke Gonzales.

No tax dollars are received for operating expense; instead, "we rely on the sale of postage, products and services to fund our operations."

Gonzales apologized for your inconvenience, explaining that as of Oct. 1, 2012, contract stations no longer could accept handwritten customs forms.

That’s when the USPS instituted new procedures to comply with the 2006 Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act, which required the agency to electronically capture and save customs declaration information required for all mail pieces sent to addresses outside the United States (except APO/FPO destinations), Gonzales said.

USPS is required to send this information electronically to U.S. Customs and Border Protection before the mail leaves the U.S.

Official post offices are able to capture and save customs declaration information on their retail point-of-sale computer systems, then send it on to the customs agency.

"Since CPUs do not have access to the USPS retail computer system, they are not contractually obligated to or capable of accepting handwritten customs forms," Gonzales explained.

He pointed out that customers have the option of submitting Customs Declaration Forms electronically, then dropping off a copy of the completed form with their package at a contract station or post office. For more information, go to usps.com/international/customs-forms.htm.

Contract Stations

What are the differences between an official post office and a contract station?

A CPU is a supplier-owned or leased site, operated under contract to the USPS to provide postal products and services at USPS prices.

CPUs provide most of the same services as post offices.

"The specifics of each CPU’s range of services are determined during an individualized contract negotiation process," Gonzales said. For example, some have post office boxes, some do not.

"Hours of operation is another item that is negotiated and determined on a case-by-case basis," he said. "The compensation model for CPUs also varies and is determined during the contracting process."

There are 11 CPUs on Oahu and 17 statewide.

While most will have signs saying they are Contract Postal Units, a "surefire way" to know is to look at the employees behind the counter, Gonzales said.

"USPS employees will be wearing USPS uniforms and/or wearing official USPS identification badges that include their names and photos," he said.

More information about contract stations can be found at 1.usa.gov/19x86JS.

Mahalo

To the state Department of Taxation for mailing me every year the instruction booklet, which includes all the required forms as well as the envelopes for mailing tax payments or to receive refunds. Residents can also go to the state tax office building on Punchbowl Street, where all tax booklets are available outside, without having to undergo body checks to enter the building. Supporting our government by paying our taxes can be made without roadblocks! — J. Sasaki

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