Customs forms are used to declare the contents and value of your shipment, while also indicating that you have followed shipping regulations in both the collection and delivery countries. Customs authorities inspect all cross-border shipments and their accompanying documentation to assess duty and taxes to be paid. With all the necessary information included on customs forms, they serve as a type of passport for your parcel.
The customs forms you need to fill out depend on the country that you are shipping to, and whether the purpose of your shipment is business or private. To help you get ready for shipping, we have prepared general guidelines on how to fill out customs forms.
It is important to fill out the customs form thoroughly and correctly, otherwise your shipment may be delayed or blocked at customs.
The following information will be mandatory on almost all customs forms:
Businesses shipping goods internationally are required to fill out additional information on their customs forms, including but not limited to:
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There are several different laws concerning exports and imports to various countries, so if you are sending your shipment overseas, be sure to check the regulations beforehand.
For example, when using a postal service like Royal Mail to send a parcel between international countries (i.e. non-EU and EU), you will be required to fill out a CN22 or CN23 customs form, depending on the weight and value of the parcel.
Some examples of customs forms required for shipping internationally to different countries:
You should pay attention to details and be honest when you fill out customs forms for international shipments. Double-check everything and make sure you avoid:
It is important that the information you provide when you fill out your customs form is accurate; otherwise, there could be serious consequences. Customs may hold your parcel indefinitely or – in the case of a wrong address – it could end up in a different city or country than where it was supposed to go.
Do not try to deceive customs officials by declaring a lower value for your items. If you are caught doing this, you could be prosecuted and fined heavily – and have your goods seized.
Be sure to include accurate information in your item descriptions.
| Bad descriptions | Good descriptions |
|---|---|
| Parts | Hexagonal aluminium bicycle nuts |
| Personal items | Green hat (100% Merino wool) |
Be as specific as possible to avoid possible misclassification of the parcel.
Use the correct harmonised tariff (HS) code and specify the quantities of each item in your customs form. If you enter a code that is not appropriate for your product, the automated export system will reject it and hold up delivery.
Example:
If you are shipping men’s leather shoes – the HS code will be the following:
You can find the list of HS codes on any official government website or customs portal.
To ensure successful shipment, it is important to attach the customs label to your items. Typically, carriers require two copies of the label, one on top and the other inside the parcel.
Use transparent packaging tape to attach the customs forms and shipping label, making sure all essential information, including the barcode, is visible.
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You need to provide a customs form when shipping goods internationally (e.g. between EU and non-EU countries) because they need to go through customs clearance before delivery. Customs officials use the information you provide in your customs declaration form to determine whether the contents of the shipment are safe and legal to enter the destination country. Without this information, your shipment may be delayed or even returned to the sender. Fill out the customs form accurately and completely to avoid any inconvenience.
Yes, whether you are shipping with DHL, FedEx, TNT, UPS – or any other courier company – you will need to fill out a customs form if your shipment is crossing international borders. This is a requirement set by the governments of the countries where collection and delivery occur.
The difference between the CN22 and CN23 customs declaration forms is based on the weight and value of the parcel being shipped:
Yes, you will need to submit a customs form when shipping between the EU and Switzerland. This is because Switzerland is not a member of the EU, so when you ship goods between these two areas, your shipment will go through customs clearance.
Customs procedures are quite complicated for Northern Ireland as a result of Brexit. Northern Ireland is part of the UK, but it remains in the EU single market.
Yes, when shipping internationally with Eurosender, you will need to fill out and then print a proforma invoice. After booking the service, you will receive instructions via email on how to fill out and submit the customs documentation.