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How to Fill Out a Customs Form

24 July 2025 | Editor's Pick | Parcel Deliveries | Tips and Guides

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Author: Parcel2Go.com

Sending an international parcel doesn’t need to be stressful, and filling out a customs form is no exception. Yes, it’s important, but it doesn’t have to be complicated.

When you book with Parcel2Go, we make it easy by handling all the necessary paperwork for you. All you need to do is tell us what you're sending, and we’ll take care of the rest.

Let’s find out how to correctly and easily fill out a customs declaration form for international delivery.

Why Are Customs Declaration Forms Important?

If you’re sending goods or gifts internationally, you will need to complete a UK customs declaration form.

A customs declaration form lets customs officials know what’s inside your parcel, helping them process it efficiently and apply any customs duties due. Without them, customs officials might delay your parcel or even return it to you.

Can I fill out a customs form online?

When you book your international delivery with Parcel2Go, we’ll guide you through the steps to fill out a customs form online within our booking journey.

Each step is clear and we’re always on standby to help if you had any questions!

To make things even easier, we’ll also send you all the documentation you need at the end of your booking process.

Remember: These will be on the outside of your parcel in a clear plastic envelope.

You can help us complete the form by:

  • Describing the item you’re sending accurately, including what it’s made of, and its use if appropriate

  • Double checking that your recipient’s address is correct and providing a phone number and email address, if possible

  • Listing the value of your item correctly

  • Clearly stating the country of origin, bearing in mind that this might differ from where you’re sending the item from

Understanding CN22 and CN23 forms

Any parcel containing items that have a commercial value must have a CN22 or CN23 form. The weight and value of your parcel will determine which form you’ll need to complete.

Customs form CN22 is used for:

  • Parcels with a value less than £270

  • Parcels weighing less than 2kg

Customs form CN23 is used for:

  • Parcels with a value over £270

  • Packages weighing more than 2kg

Step-by-step guide to completing customs forms

As mentioned, we’ll help you complete your customs forms as part of the booking process, but let’s look at what information is required.

1. Sender & recipient information

Enter a full name, address, and postcode for both the sender and recipient. If possible, include a local telephone number and an email address.

2. Category of goods

Select which category your items best fit into. The categories you can choose from are:

  • Gift

  • Document

  • Sales of Goods

  • Commercial Samples

  • Returned Goods

  • Other

3. Item description

When describing your items, be specific and detailed. Avoid general terms like ‘gift’ or ‘clothes’ and aim for something like ‘knitted woollen scarf, clothing’. You’ll also need to enter the quantity of each item.

If your description is too vague, customs may have to open your parcel to investigate.

4. Item value

Be as accurate with your valuation of your items as possible to avoid potential penalties.

You should list the value of each item separately unless you’re sending multiples of the same item.

For example, if you’re sending 3 hats worth £5 each, the value of that parcel would be £15.

5. Country of origin

Remember that the country of origin is where your items were made, not where they ship from.

6. Signature & date

For your customs declaration form to be valid, you’ll need to sign and date the form on the day that you post your parcel.

Additional Steps for Businesses

Woman accepting parcel from courier

If you’re a business sending goods abroad, you’ll also need to complete the following information:

7. HS tariff code

HS codes are also called commodity codes, or tariff codes. They’re internationally recognised numbers that describe the item you’re importing or exporting from the UK.

It’s important to use the correct commodity code to avoid delays or surcharges on your shipment. It will also help you pay the right amount of import VAT and customs duty.

When you book your international delivery with Parcel2Go, we make it easy to find the right commodity code for your shipment.

Our commodity code look up tool will help you find the code you need, and for more tricky items we have lots of helpful information in our International Shipping Hub, including how to manually select your commodity code.

Want to know more? See our expert information and tips on commodity codes.

8. VAT/EORI number

If your business is based in the UK or Isle of Man, you’ll need an EORI number to ship goods to any other country, including the EU. For those businesses that have both a VAT and an EORI number, you should include your EORI number on your customs form.

Visit our International Shipping Hub to find out more about EORI numbers, including how to apply for one.

Tips for hassle-free international shipping

At Parcel2Go, we aim to make international shipping as stress-free as possible. These are our 5 top tips for making sending your parcel abroad hassle free:

  • Some countries have different information required on their address labels. If in doubt, we have more details on our individual country pages.

  • Consider whether you want to send your parcel Delivery Duty Paid or Delivery Duty Unpaid. Find out how to decide between offering DDU or DDP.

  • Before booking your shipping, check if you’re sending any prohibited items, and make sure you pack your items in a sturdy box.

  • Your parcel will travel a long way, so consider adding parcel protection to give yourself extra peace of mind.

  • If you’re a business sending goods internationally, you might also need to complete a Commercial Invoice. Don’t worry, we’ll also guide you through this process during the booking process. You can also read step-by-step instructions on how to complete a commercial invoice.

What happens if you forget to put a customs form on a package?

Failure to include a customs declaration form or to accurately describe your parcel's contents may result in your parcel being held in customs, and potential fines.

The good news? We’ll send you all the forms you’ll need to make sure your parcel breezes through customs.

How do I print and attach the customs form?

Your customs declaration forms should be fastened to the outside of your box, ideally in a clear plastic wallet.

To make sure your parcel gets through customs quickly and easily, we recommend you attach your documents on the same side as your shipping label.

If you’re ready to book your shipment, we can help you find some of the cheapest international parcel services in the UK.