Sending via Royal Mail?
Customs forms can be completed online for Royal Mail services.
Introducing our new customs form tool
Royal Mail now need all customs forms to be created electronically rather than paper forms. To help you with this, we’ve created a new tool that takes all the hard work out of creating your customs form. All you need to do is provide us with the reference or barcode that it creates.
What is a customs form for?
Any mail with incomplete or missing customs forms is likely to be returned to the sender. If you're sending post with Royal Mail and Parcelforce Worldwide, you’re responsible for providing customs details. For Royal Mail, we’ve created an online tool to help you with this.
You don't need to attach customs forms to mail sent through Parcels Online services with DPD and Evri, as these are completed online.
Do I need to fill out a customs form?
Customs forms are mandatory for all gifts and goods sent to a country outside the UK, except when sending items from Northern Ireland to the EU.
You need to complete a customs form if:
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You’re sending goods or gifts from England, Wales or Scotland to anywhere outside of the UK.
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You’re sending goods or gifts from Northern Ireland to any non-EU destinations (except the UK).
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You’re sending from Northern Ireland to EU destinations with DPD or Evri. This isn’t needed with Royal Mail or Parcelforce.
You don’t need to complete a customs form if:
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You’re sending goods within the UK.
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You’re sending from Northern Ireland to EU destinations with Royal Mail or Parcelforce.
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You’re sending a letter or large letters only containing correspondence, commercial invoices or shipping documents.
Sending via DPD or Evri?
Customs details for services bought through Parcels Online are filled in during the booking process. Similarly, customs for branch purchases will be handled at the counter.
Still need to use a paper form?
The form you need to fill in will depend on the value of the item and the service you're using.
If you’re using Parcels Online services with DPD and Evri, all customs forms will be completed online during the booking process.
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Sending items valued under £270 via Royal Mail
Goods and gifts sent with Royal Mail international services valued under £270 require a CN22 customs form.
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Sending items valued over £270 via Royal Mail
Goods and gifts sent with Royal Mail international services valued over £270 require a CN23 customs form.
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Sending internationally via Parcelforce Worldwide
Goods and gifts sent with Parcelforce Worldwide services require a CP72 customs form regardless of the item value.
FAQs
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Customs forms are mandatory if you send gifts or goods outside of the UK, except if posting to the EU from Northern Ireland. 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. Forms with missing or incomplete information are likely to be returned or delayed.
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Some forms have a unique barcode, such as the multi-layered, CP72 form, so they can’t be filled in online. Pick up some extra copies in branch to save time in the future.
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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.
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Items sold into the EU from England, Scotland and Wales are subject to VAT and customs rules. The Import One Stop Shop (IOSS) is a scheme through which businesses can pay these charges so their customers don’t paying duties and fees when the item is delivered.
Our new customs tool will now create all your Royal Mail customs forms for you and include all the IOSS details needed for selling into the EU at the same time.
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With our new customs tool, all you need to do is provide our branches with the reference or bar code that it creates, so you don’t need a printer.
All customs details for services purchased through Parcels Online are filled in during the booking process online. They don’t need to be printed or attached to the parcel.