Customs Documentation for shipments to non EU Countries

Document deliveries do not require customs documentation however parcels being shipped outside of the European Union will require customs clearance in the destination country. This requires customs documents that you will need to complete.

Please complete a single copy of a CN23 and 3 copies of either a PROFORMA or COMMERCIAL invoice. The CN23 should be securely attached to the outside of the parcel. The invoices should be placed in an envelope marked 'Customs documents' which should be attached to the outside of the parcel.

Please use a Proforma invoice if you are sending a non-commercial shipment for a non-business purpose, for example, a personal gift, sample or faulty part.

Please use a Commercial invoice if you are sending a commercial shipment with a commercial value.

You can download each document in either Microsoft Word or PDF format by right clicking on the links below and choosing 'Save as' .

Instructions and advice on filling out Invoices

  1. Invoice number or Order number
    (if applicable)

  2. Date
    Shipment date

  3. Sender
    Please complete the name, street address, town, city, county, post code and contact details of the sender/exporter.

  4. Recipient
    Please complete the name, street address, town, city, county/state, post/zip code and contact details of the receiver/importer.

  5. Waybill / Tracking Number
    This can be found on you shipping label.

  6. Currency
    GBP = £ - please change if required.

  7. VAT Number
    Please supply the senders VAT number if registered or enter 'Not VAT registered'.

  8. Type of Export
    Permanent or temporary.

  9. Reason for Export
    Sale
    Order Return
    Return after repair
    Samples (not for resale)
    Personal effects (used - not for resale)
    Personal use (new - not for resale)
    Gift
    Other (please specify)

  10. Terms of Trade
    DDU = Delivery Duties Unpaid (Any Duties to be paid by Recipient)

  11. Quantity
    Please specify the number of each products you have. Eg 4 Shirts.

  12. Description
    Please supply a full and complete description of the items being sent. If you are sending 4 shirts the description may read '4 men's long sleeve 100% cotton shirts'

  13. Country of Origin
    Please supply the country of Manufacture. Eg Great Britian (please note E.U. cannot be accepted)

  14. Unit Weight
    The individual weight of each item.

  15. Unit Value
    The individual value of each item.

  16. Total
    Total line value. Eg 4 shirts at £20 each = £80

  17. Shipping Charges
    Cost of shipping including any compensation cover

  18. Total Invoice Amount
    Total cost of items + shipping charges

  19. Declaration
    Please Sign, Print and Date

Instructions and advice on filling out CN23

To accelerate customs clearance, complete the CN23 in English, French or in a language accepted in the destination country.

To clear your item, the Customs in the country of destination need to know exactly what the contents are. You must therefore complete your declaration fully and legibly; otherwise, delay and inconvenience may result for the addressee. A false or misleading declaration may lead to a fine or to seizure of the item.

Your goods may be subject to restrictions. It is your responsibility to enquire into import and export regulations (prohibitions, restrictions such as quarantine, pharmaceutical restrictions, etc.) and to find out what documents, if any (commercial invoice, certificate of origin, health certificate, licence, authorization for goods subject to quarantine (plant, animal, food products, etc.) are required in the destination country.

Commercial item means any goods exported/imported in the course of a business transaction, whether or not they are sold for money or exchanged.

Please complete the Senders and recipients details as well as following details in the fields supplied

(1) Give a detailed description of each article in the item, e.g. "men's cotton shirts". General descriptions, e.g. "spare parts", "samples" or "food products" are not permitted.

(2) Give the quantity of each article and the unit of measurement used.

(3) and (4) Give the net weight of each article (in kg). Give the total weight of the item (in kg), including packaging, which corresponds to the weight used to
calculate the postage.

(5) Give the value of each article and the total, indicating the currency used (e.g. GBP for pounds sterling).

(6) The HS tariff number (6-digit) must be based on the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System developed by the World Customs Organization. (Optional) - Senders of commercial items are advised to supply this information as it will assist Customs in processing the items.

(7) Give the Country of Manufacture, this means the country where the goods originated, e.g. were produced/manufactured or assembled.

(8) Category of item (reason for sending), this needs to be completed with one of the following options - Gift, Sold, Sample, Personal Effects or Not Sold

(9) Date of Despatch

(10) Enter the tracking number from your shipping label.

(11) Provide details if the contents are subject to quarantine (plant, animal, food products, etc.) or other restrictions.

(12), (13) and (14) If your item is accompanied by a licence or a certificate, state the number. You should attach an invoice for all commercial items.

(15) Your signature and the date confirm your liability for the item.