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  4. CN23 customs forms

When to complete a CN23 customs form

The CN23 is a customs form used when sending gifts and goods abroad worth more than £270 with Royal Mail.

CN23 form guide

Custom forms are mandatory for all gifts and goods sent outside the UK from England, Scotland or Wales. If posting from Northern Ireland, they're only needed for non-EU destinations, except the UK.

Customs forms are scanned by optical character recognition, so it's important to fill them in legibly and in BLOCK CAPITALS.

Incomplete or missing customs forms are likely to result in items being returned to the sender.

Example of the dispatch Pack CP23 form
  1. Item description is mandatory – give a detailed description of each item in the package, eg 'men's cotton shirts'
  2. Item quantity is mandatory – give the quantity of each item
  3. Item weight is mandatory – enter the weight of each item individually in kg
  4. Total weight is mandatory – enter the total weight of the package, including packaging, in kg
  5. Item value is mandatory – enter the value of each item going into the package in GBP
  6. Total value is mandatory – enter the total value of the total package in GBP
  7. HS tariff number – is mandatory for businesses only – you need to provide the HS tariff code, which you can find at GOV.UK 
  8. Country of origin – this is the name of the country where the goods in your package originated, eg where they were produced, manufactured or assembled
  9. Postage charge – this is where you can enter how much you're paying to post your package, including separate charges like insurance
  10. Category of item – select which type of item you're sending
  11. Comments – you've got the opportunity to provide details if your item is subject to quarantine or other restrictions
  12. Add a licence – if your item is accompanied by a licence, tick this box
  13. Add a certificate – if your item has a certificate attached, tick this box
  14. Add an invoice – attach an invoice for all commercial items
  15. Your signature is mandatory – add your signature here

Prefer to fill it in by hand?

If you have a printer, you can download a blank copy to fill in by hand. If you don't, you can pick one up in branch

Download a CN23 form

Common questions about customs forms

  • Custom forms are mandatory for all gifts and goods sent outside the UK from England, Scotland or Wales. If posting from Northern Ireland, they're only needed for non-EU destinations, except the UK.

    They help local customs authorities identify if items you’re sending internationally are allowed into their destination country and calculate any duties or taxes due.

    Incomplete or missing customs forms are likely to result in items being returned to the sender.

  • No declaration requirements for goods moved directly between Northern Ireland and the European Union currently exist. Customs forms are still needed if posting from Northern Ireland to non-EU destinations, except the UK.

    The latest UK Government guidance provides more information on sending mail from Northern Ireland.

  • All Royal Mail and Parcelforce Worldwide custom forms are available in Post Office branches. Remember to keep the details you need to fill it in handy.