Customs declarations CN22 and CN23
By: Federico D'Agostino
Tags: Logistics, Ecommerce, Customs Clearance

Customs declarations — CN22 and CN23 customs declarations are essential for international shipping. The documents give important information about the contents of the package being shipped abroad. It is vital that all UK e-commerce retailers have a thorough understanding of how to fill out CN22 and CN23 forms properly. The forms help ensure your shipments clear customs quickly. To avoid delays with your international shipments, make sure to always fill out these documents as fully as possible.

In this blog post, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about the CN22 and CN23 customs declarations, including exactly how to use them.

This article covers:

Customs declarations CN22 and CN23: definition

CN22 and CN23 custom declarations are required customs documents for international shipping. They help customs officials understand what is in the package so they can process them swiftly and compliantly.

Any shipment that is sent through Royal Mail that contains items with a commercial value requires a CN22 or CN23. This is because they will be subject to fees and taxes. You do not need a CN22 or CN23 when you ship using an international courier such as UPS or DPD. When you ship using an international courier you need to supply a commercial invoice.

Important note: when internationally shipping products that have a value up to £270 you must attach a signed and dated CN22. If the value is greater than £270 you must use a Customs Declaration CN23.

Parcels being shipped internationally are often read by a scanner. If your CN22 or CN23 customs declaration does not accurately describe the contents of your parcel, then you may be fined up to 100% of the actual value of the merchandise.

Customs declarations after Brexit

When Brexit comes into effect on January 1st 2021, e-commerce retailers will need to complete either a CN22 or CN23 customs declaration form when shipping to Europe.

What is the difference between the CN22 and CN23 customs declarations?

Determining when to use a CN22 or a CN23 actually depends on the weight and value of the package. If the package you wish to send weighs up to 2KG and has a value of up to £270, then you will need to complete and attach a CN22. The CN22 is a simpler form than the CN23. It is generally a sticker that you can attach to the side of the parcel (alongside the shipping label).

You will therefore need a CN23 declaration form when the package weighs more than 2KG and/or has a value higher than £270. This form contains a lot more information, and generally it is attached to the outside of a package in a transparent wallet (along with a CP71 dispatch note). Again, it’s best to attach this wallet to the same side as your shipping label to help with a quick and easy passing through customs.

Important note — it is vital that the CP71 form is included as a supplement to the CN23. The CP71 acts as an address card. Enclose the CP71 in the transparent envelope and attach it to the parcel so it can be clearly seen.

You might need to also include a commercial invoice as well as a CN22/CN23, but this depends on the carrier and destination. Generally, we recommend you include both forms as this means your package will be fully covered and you won’t be hit by any delays. It’s also wise to provide three copies of the commercial invoice: one for the country you are shipping from, one for the destination country and one for the recipient.

Customs forms: when do you need to use it?

After the UK leaves the EU any mail being sent to EU states via the Royal Mail (or other postal services) will require a CN22/23. International couriers such as DHL Express or DPD do not require a CN22/23. In this instance you need to supply a Commercial Invoice.

Also, take note of any regions where exceptions may apply. There are regions that are within the EU but are not part of the EU customs zone. Shipments to these regions are subject to customs control, so you must always include a CN22 or CN23 customs declaration with them too.

In general, merchandise is subject to customs control, but documents are not. However, the rules may vary from one country to the next. In the Bahamas, for example, a photograph is considered a document (not subject to customs control), while in Argentina, photographs are considered merchandise and must pass through customs.

Learn more on https://www.sendcloud.co.uk/customs-declarations-cn22-cn23/