To ensure your parcel clears customs the following details are
required on the commercial invoice:
Detailed Item Description
Make sure your description is as accurate as possible. For example: 'Dog statuette, made
from oak, ornamental.' Vague descriptions such as 'Gift' or 'Carpet' are
likely to be flagged by customs to investigate.
Providing a local contact number and email address will allow customs to get in touch with
the recipient to clear the parcel.
The contact details required may vary depending on the country. Please check before sending
by going to the country's government and tax duties website.
Avoiding Delays
Providing these details will prevent any unnecessary delays at customs, allowing your parcel
to get to its destination quickly.
Key Information
To ensure your parcel clears customs the following details are
required on the commercial invoice:
1. Detailed Item Description
Make sure your description is as accurate as possible. For example: 'Dog statuette, made from
oak, ornamental.' Vague descriptions such as 'Gift' or 'Carpet' are likely
to be flagged by customs to investigate.
Bear in mind some countries require commodity
codes may be required.
2. Local Contact Details
Providing a local contact number and email address will allow customs to get in touch with the
recipient to clear the parcel.
The contact details required may vary depending on the country. Please check before sending by
going to the country's government and tax duties website.
3. Avoiding Delays
Providing these details will prevent any unnecessary delays at customs, allowing your parcel to
get to its destination quickly.
Destinations
The following countries have specific requests for their commercial invoice. For information on
any
not listed below, visit a country's government tax and duties website.
Please ensure the correct French territory is selected during the booking process and not France
(Mainland). This will enable the commercial invoice to be generated correctly.
Please ensure the correct contact details for the receiver are added during the order process,
including a local telephone number for the correct territory.
Please note Duties and Taxes may still be applied by customs to shipments going to French
territories.
Iceland
Please ensure the correct contact details for the receiver are added during the order process,
including a local telephone number for the correct country.
Please ensure the delivery address is accurate and contains all the correct information.
Iceland is a member of the EFTA countries and Duties and Taxes may be applied.
Parcels shipped to India must be cleared using a KYC (Know Your Customer) document.
During the booking journey, you will be asked to provide the recipient's PAN number - this is
their Vat number/ID card and every resident in India should have one).
If further clearance documentation is required, the receiver will be contacted via email.
Parcel2Go Tip: To avoid any additional delays make sure you include a valid local contact
number
that the recipient can be contacted on and a working email address that belongs to them.
Israel
Please ensure the correct contact details for the receiver are added during the order process,
including a local telephone number for the correct country.
Please ensure the delivery address is accurate and contains all the correct information.
Lichtenstein
Please ensure the correct contact details for the receiver are added during the order process,
including a local telephone number for the correct country.
Please ensure the delivery address is accurate and contains all the correct information.
Lichtenstein is a member of the EFTA countries and Duties and Taxes may be applied.
Norway
Please ensure the correct contact details for the receiver are added during the order process,
including a local telephone number for the correct country.
Please ensure the delivery address is accurate and contains all the correct information.
Norway is a member of the EFTA countries and Duties and Taxes may be applied.
China requires the receivers tax ID which is requested during the booking journey.
Local Contact number will help assist with delivery.
Personal belongings can only be shipped up to the value of 1000 Yuan.
Singapore
Please ensure the correct contact details for the receiver are added during the order process,
including a local telephone number for the correct country.
Please ensure the delivery address is accurate and contains all the correct information.
Shipments to Japan require a detailed commodity breakdown from shipper with itemised description and values are required.
All shipments require a valid local contact number.
Spanish Overseas Territories
Please ensure the correct Spanish territory (Canary Islands, Ceuta or Melilla) is selected during the
booking process and not Spain(Mainland). This will enable the commercial invoice to be generated
correctly.
Please ensure the correct contact details for the receiver are added during the order process,
including a local telephone number for the correct territory.
You will need to provide a correct ID number (CIF or NIF) for the receiver. Please ensure that the
name given during the order is the recipients full name and includes both surnames if double
barrelled.
Please note Duties and Taxes may still be applied by customs to shipments going to Spanish
territories.
Switzerland
Please ensure the correct contact details for the receiver are added during the order process,
including a local telephone number for the correct country.
Please ensure the delivery address is accurate and contains all the correct information.
Switzerland is a member of the EFTA countries and Duties and Taxes may be applied.
UAE
Please ensure the correct contact details for the receiver are added during the order process,
including a local telephone number for the correct country.
Please ensure the delivery address is accurate and contains all the correct information.
Parcels traveling to the USA may be subject to inspection via the FDA if there are food-based
or
animal base for example leather items, they may also need more information on certain
electrical
items.
If this is the case the receiver will be required to provide certain documents.
Here is a link of where to find any documents that you may need:
Please ensure the correct contact details for the receiver are added during the order process,
including a local telephone number for the correct country.
Please ensure the delivery address is accurate and contains all the correct information.
Duties and Taxes applied may be indicated as COD, this is because some couriers pay the customs
charges to release the parcel and pass the charge to the customer upon delivery.
South Africa requires the receivers tax ID which is requested during the booking journey.
If you are shipping any form of paperwork/documentation, when completing the customs details please ensure you state the reason for export as 'Documents'. It is recommended documents be of a minimal value to be under the South African low value threshold of ZAR 500.00.
Duties & Taxes
Customs and duties and taxes may be applied to all parcels traveling outside of Great Britain. This will depend on the value, the item(s) and the purpose of shipment.
All parcels sent with Parcel2Go are Delivered Duty Unpaid. This means any customs duty owed must be paid by the recipient.
Customs officials will contact the recipient for payment if there is any duty owed, and this will need to be paid before the parcel is released.
Parcels will be held by customs until payments are made. Any payments not received may result in parcels being returned or in some cases destroyed.
Commodity Codes
Some services may ask for a commodity code. These are also known as a tariff code or a HS code.
These codes are used to identify the item(s) so border officials can check they're safe and legal, and calculate any duties owed.
If you're not sure how to classify your goods, check and search the UK government website by clicking below.
The services provided to us by the couriers do not allow the following items on their network.
Any person sending items considered to be Prohibited will be subject to their order being cancelled.
Animal / Animal Related*
Goods made from or containing animal products.
Appliances*
Any sized white goods or small appliances such as washing machines, water heaters and any similar domestic or commercial appliances.
Drugs*
Drugs or medicines, in any form or state, are fully restricted.
Hazardous Items*
Any goods, products or other items containing, in whole or in part, hazardous materials.
Liquids*
Liquids of all kinds are prohibited.
Perishable Goods*
Any product in which quality deteriorates due to environmental conditions through time, needs to be kept chilled or frozen. Such as perishable food like meat, fish, dairy products, flowers etc. are prohibited.
Vehicle Parts*
Large vehicle parts or over 15 Kg. Vehicle parts that contain fluid, oil or fumes are prohibited. For a full list click below.
Weapons*
Weapons of all kinds are prohibited.
*Parcel protection will become invalid if you send items which fall under our prohibited items list.
Items Not Protected
The services provided to us by the couriers will deliver the following items, however, you do so at your own risk.
The item will not be protected for any loss or damage, however if the item is lost within the network we will refund the cost of the carriage only.
Glass*
Glass items of any kind, including glassware can be sent at the risk of the sender. These items will not be eligible for protection in the event of damage.
China / Porcelain*
Fragile materials such as bone china, fine china and porcelain are not protected for any loss or damage.
Jewellery*
All jewellery items can be sent but are considered ‘no protection’.
Items Protected For Loss Only
The services provided to us by the couriers will send the following items, however, they will not be protected for any damage.
If the item is lost within the network you will be refunded the cost of the carriage and the items value
*.
Furniture & Electricals*
Including objects such as tables, chairs, desks, beds or electronic devices. Must be within service restrictions and packaged correctly.
Instruments*
All Musical Instruments must be sent in a hard case and boxed. Maximum parcel protection value is up to £1,000.00 for lost items.
Ornaments*
Must not be made of porcelain, china or glass (non-comp items).
Bicycles*
Bicycles can be sent but are not protected for damage, please ensure these are correctly packaged in a box with the wheels detached and handle bars in a straight position.
*Parcel protection must be taken out for any loss to be claimed.
Prohibited Items:
The following items (or any item similar in description or content) cannot be carried on any service.
Any person sending such an item may be subject to their order being cancelled without notice:
Animals Or Organisms Of Any Form
Any Perishable Goods Or Perishable Food
Batteries And Items Containing Built In Batteries
Biological Samples
Compressed Air & Empty Cylinders
Cosmetics
Drugs, Medication, Prescriptions, Tobacco And Tobacco Products
Geochron
Hazardous Goods Including Aerosol, Asbestos, Explosives, Fire Extinguishers, Fireworks And Christmas Crackers. Items Containing Flammable Or Explosive Substances.
Illegal Goods - Including Any Items Considered Illegal In Either The Exporting Or Importing Country.
Large Vehicle Parts - Including Vehicle Panels, Spoilers, Doors Or Engines, Any Car Parts Containing Oil Or Liquids Or Items Related To
Liquids, Creams, Oils Or Gels
Medical Equipment
Monetary/Currency Including Cash, Credit Cards, Debit Cards, Coins, Cheques, Stamps (Unless Franked) And Any Financial Documents.
Poisonous, Toxic Liquids, Solids Or Gases Including Pesticides
Radioactive Materials
Weapons - Including Replicas Or Ammunition
White Goods Including Cooker Hoods Or Hot Tubs
Items Protected For Loss Only:
The services provided to us by the couriers will send the following items, however, they will not protect for any damage.
If the item is lost within their network they will refund the cost of the carriage and the items value (Parcel protection must be taken out for any loss to be claimed)
Antiques
Any Type Of Wooden Flooring Including Laminate
Coffee Machines, Coffee Grinders, Coffee Roasters
Cycles, Bicycles, Unicycles, Tricycles.
- maximum Parcel Protection value for lost items is £1,000.
Electrical Appliances - Such As Cameras, Monitors, Computers, Drones, Tvs Or Items Related To
Fishing Rods
Furniture
Knitting Machines Or Sewing Machines
Models, Kits
Musical Instruments Including Amplifiers, Speakers Or Turntables. All Musical Instruments Must Be Sent In A Hard Case And Boxed
- maximum Parcel Protection value for lost items is £1,000.
Suitcase - A Suitcase Will Not Be Protected If This Is Used As Packaging For Internal Items.