Search

Popular searches

For further information about the Horizon IT Scandal, please visit our corporate website

  1. Home
  2. UK and International Post
  3. Customs forms
  4. CN22 Customs form guide

When to complete a CN22 customs form

The CN22 is a customs form used when sending gifts and goods abroad worth less than £270 with Royal Mail.

CN22 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.

If you have a printer, you can complete this form online or download a blank copy to fill in by hand before you visit a branch. If you don't have a printer, you can pick one up in branch.

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 mails customs declaration CN22 form

Fields marked with an * are mandatory. Fields marked with ** are only mandatory for businesses.

Write legibly and in block capitals to allow machine readers to read the information.

  1. Sender’s details*
    Write your full name and address, including the postcode.
  2. Category of goods
    Put an X in the category that best describes the goods you’re sending. If none of them fit, select ‘Other’. Only select ‘Gift’ if you’re sending as an individual, not as a business.
  3. Item quantity and description*
    For each item in your package, enter the number it contains and a short, clear description. This helps prevent delays, like customs needing to open it. Detail each new item type and quantity in its own row, using sections A, B and C.
  4. Value*
    This is the total value of all items of the same type (eg 3 items at £10 each would be £30).
  5. Net weight*
    This is the total weight for all items of the same type. If needed, weigh items in branch then calculate the total to complete this part of the form.
  6. HS tariff**
    If you’re sending as a business, you must enter a 6-digit HS/Tariff code and 2-digit ISO country code for the item. You can find the correct code on the GOV.UK export goods from the UK page. 
  7. Country of origin
    Enter the country this specific item in your package is from, eg UK. Read more about item origin on GOV.UK.
  8. Total value and weight*
    Work out the total weight and value of items in your package based on your entries in sections A-C.
  9. VAT/EORI number**
    Businesses must fill in this field. If your business has both numbers, use the EORI number. If you're sending as an individual, leave it blank.
  10. Signature and date*
    You must physically sign and date the customs form on the day you post your items.

Fill in your form online

If you have a printer, you can complete this form online. If you don't, you can pick one up in branch

Complete a CN22 form online

Prefer to fill it in by hand?

If you don’t have a printer, you can pick a form up and fill it by hand in branch

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.