New requirements when sending international items
New requirements when sending international items
Why should you provide this data?
With the international trading landscape changing significantly over the past 12 months, providing the correct customs data is more important than ever. Customers currently providing electronic customs data experience fewer delays, fewer returned or destroyed items, and fewer recipient complaints as a result.

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Making sure you’ve provided the correct information
You need to provide:
- Either a CN22 or CN23 form printed and attached to the item, completed fully and correctly.
The type of form you need to fill out depends on the value of the items you are sending. Please make sure you use the correct one:
- For items with a value up to £270 use customs declaration form CN22 (pdf, 394.05 KB)
- For items with a value over £270 use customs declaration form CN23 (pdf, 227.98 KB). It should be attached using the plastic wallet available from Post Office® branches
- UPU compliant S10 barcode (unique Royal Mail 13-digit item identifier) attached to the item.
- Tracked export goods will also need a 2D Tracked barcode.
In addition, the information on the CN22 or CN23 form will now need to be provided electronically in the pre-advice you send us.
Filling out your CN22 (pdf, 394.05 KB)
Filling out your CN23 (pdf, 227.98 KB)
Franked items (excluding correspondence) that do not have a S10 barcode attached may be delayed, or even returned to the sender. We want to ensure that this does not happen to you and that franked items meet international mail standards for goods being sent abroad. We will provide you with the barcodes, and you can order more labels from our shop.
If you need further information please visit: www.royalmail.com/international/on-account-and-franking.
Electronic customs data is required to make sure existing, emerging and future legislative, security and customs requirements overseas are met. The Universal Postal Union (UPU) requests that the customs forms are completed accurately and in full, to enable rapid clearance. Since 1 January 2018, it has been a requirement to add a S10 barcode on every item; you now also need to provide the CN22 or CN23 form to us electronically.
Some countries are now applying penalties and delaying or returning items that are sent without the required electronic data and physical S10 barcode attached.
Managed HS Classification Services
Our Managed HS Classification Service is a tool to help you fill out the Harmonised System codes (known as HS or Tariff Codes) on your CN22 and CN23 forms and helps you to remain compliant with export prohibitions and restrictions. We can assign codes to items in your product catalogue to make things easier for you.
Find out more about Managed HS Classification Services