Customs Postal Data

A customs declaration is required for all exports of parcels from the UK to overseas destinations. The customs declaration is managed and submitted by PFWW (and our chosen partners) as appropriate for each product. Customs agencies use the information provided within the customs declaration to ensure items are compliant with their own local regulations and to calculate what, if any, tax and duties are due. If you are sending goods to a country outside of the UK, you must provide full and accurate information to avoid parcels being rejected by customs. For more information please click here.

The CN23 is an officially recognised document to capture essential details to support and make the customs declarations in the UK and in destination countries.

Each destination is responsible for setting their own import controls on restricted goods. Customers are advised to identify whether items being imported into a specific destination will require licences / certificates or incur additional charges. To identify specific Country requirements, please visit our individual country pages here.

*Please note: When sending items from Northern Ireland to the EU, no customs declarations are required for sending gifts or goods. Customers using Parcelforce shipping platforms will still be required to provide customs data as part of the booking journey and customs documentation will be generated, however does not need to be attached to the physical parcel.

A commercial invoice is a supporting document for customs purposes. The commercial invoice enables the overseas customs authorities to confirm required information about the goods you are sending.

These documents must be physically provided when sending the item. We recommend you include these physical documents within a plastic wallet affixed to the outside of the parcel. You must attach this to the same side as your address label where size permits, however if this not possible, we suggest that you attach it on the reverse/back of the item if there is sufficient space. Items sent without valid or incorrectly or partially completed documents may be delayed or returned to sender. These documents will need to be completed accurately before collection or dropping off at the Post Office^®/Depot.

You must ensure that you are confident that the information provided is a true and accurate reflection of the items being dispatched. Parcelforce Worldwide cannot be held liable for any incorrect information but the sender can be legally responsible for ensuring data provided for customs purposes is accurate. It is worthwhile ensuring that you are familiar with the customs laws for exporting and importing.

Electronic customs data is also mandatory. Pre-registration schemes such as the Import One Stop Shop (IOSS) require accurate electronic data to enable items to be cleared through customs successfully. Any items with incomplete or missing data may be delayed or returned.

Our International account holders can input the required information via WDM Online or via our API (ExpressLink) and these systems will automatically generate these documents for you where appropriate using the information you have provided. You must ensure that you are confident that the information provided is a true and accurate reflection of the items being dispatched as this will form part of the Electronic Customs Data created. PFW cannot be held liable for any incorrect information but the sender can be legally responsible for ensuring data provided for customs purposes is accurate. It is worthwhile ensuring that you are familiar with the customs laws for exporting and importing.

Certain goods being exported to some countries may require an export licence or a document from other regulatory bodies. Attach it to the package in a clearly marked envelope. Customers must also advise us of this electronically as part of the booking process. 

Please check with the relevant government department prior to shipping your goods to see if they require additional licenses or documents. 

For items being sent to countries outside of the UK the customs thresholds at which point taxes and duties are applicable will vary from country to country and are decided by local customs authorities. We would always recommend that you check these before sending and further information on this can be found here.

For customers sending an item from NI to the EU there is no requirement to complete and apply a customs declaration. NI remains in the EU Customs Union and therefore customs taxes and duties are not applicable. The taxes and duties applied depend on the individual contents of the parcel, the weight, and the value. 

Yes, if you are shipping item/s to the Channel Islands you will require custom declarations. This includes Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney, Herm and Sark. Please note goods to Jersey may also be liable for GST (Goods and Service Tax) which is currently 5%. Find out more about shipping to the Channel Islands at our Worldwide Directory.