- Confirm the parcel is eligible for CN22 or CN23 by value, weight, destination, and product category with the postal operator.
- Collect sender, recipient, contents description, value, currency, weight, country of origin, and HS code candidate from the order record.
- Open the CN22 / CN23 Generator and enter each item with its description, quantity, value, and origin.
- Pick the shipping channel (gift, sale, sample, return, document, other) based on the order facts.
- Generate the form draft and review every field; update any field that does not match the order record.
- Print, attach to the parcel according to carrier guidelines, and store a copy with the order record.
- Keep the form with the tracking number for any future claims or customs follow-up.
Guide
CN22 / CN23 Form Download: Draft the Postal Customs Declaration Before Mailing
Step-by-step guide to drafting a CN22 or CN23 postal customs declaration form from a browser, including sender, recipient, contents, value, weight, origin, HS code candidate, and printable output for the postal operator.
Answer Summary
Preparation checklist
CN22 and CN23 are postal customs declaration forms for international parcels mailed through a postal operator.
TariffCatalog provides a browser-based form draft tool; the draft is preparation aid only and the carrier or postal operator is the source of truth.
Forms differ by parcel value, weight, destination, and product category; check the postal rules before selecting CN22 vs CN23.
Required fields or decision table
Fields to prepare before the document draft
| Field or decision | What to prepare |
|---|---|
| Sender and recipient | Full sender and recipient names, addresses, and contact. Avoid using a warehouse nickname as the recipient. |
| Contents description | Item description in plain language. Pair material + function + product type so customs officers can assess the parcel quickly. |
| Quantity and unit | Number of items and unit type (pieces, pairs, sets, kilograms). Match the order record. |
| Value and currency | Unit value, total value, and currency. Match the order total before generating the form. |
| Weight | Total parcel weight and per-item unit weight where the form requests it. Match the postal label. |
| Country of origin | Where each item was made or substantially transformed. Some postal operators require origin per item. |
| HS code candidate | A working HS code candidate per item. The form may accept the heading or subheading digits; verify in the destination tariff database. |
| Shipping channel | Gift, sale, sample, return, document, or other purpose. Pick the channel that matches shipment facts. |
| Signature and date | Sender signature and date where required by the postal operator. |
Step-by-step preparation
How to prepare the draft
Ecommerce example
How this looks in a seller workflow
A small brand preparing 12 international parcels to EU buyers opens the CN22 / CN23 Generator, enters sender and recipient details for each parcel, fills the contents, value, weight, origin, HS code candidate, and channel per parcel, generates drafts, prints them, and attaches them to the parcels. For parcels over the CN22 limit, the seller uses CN23 and keeps the draft with the tracking number for the shipment record.
Verification checklist
Review the draft before it travels with the shipment
Before a document draft is used, compare it against the order record, product catalog, carrier label, and any destination-specific instructions. The preparation checklist should confirm parties, shipment channel, item descriptions, value, currency, quantity, weight, origin, HS code candidate, and any package or reference fields.
What is required depends on shipment value, carrier, destination, and product facts, so a field that is optional in one postal or carrier workflow may be required in another. When a draft supports a repeated SKU, save the checked inputs with the product record so future shipments start from reviewed data.
Use the draft as a review artifact: it should make weak descriptions, missing origin, inconsistent values, and unsupported HS code candidates easy to spot before the parcel is handed to a postal operator, carrier, marketplace label flow, or freight team.
Common mistakes
What to avoid
- Using a draft from a previous parcel without checking that values, weights, and addresses match the current order.
- Skipping the country of origin field on the form.
- Treating the draft as final without checking the postal operator rules.
- Using vague descriptions such as gift, accessory, or item on the form.
- Selecting CN22 for a parcel that exceeds the value or weight limit and requires CN23.
- Discarding the draft after mailing instead of storing it with the order record.
Editorial
Editorial review note
Written by the TariffCatalog Editorial Team for ecommerce document preparation workflows. The page is designed as a preparation checklist, not a filing outcome.
Maintained by Ryan Cole, with review focused on ecommerce catalog, document, and source-check workflow clarity.
Document requirements may be required differently by carrier, destination, shipment value, and product facts. Use the methodology, sources, and corrections pages to understand how the page is maintained.
Official source note
References to verify
Use official sources, carrier guidance, postal operator rules, and destination requirements to verify before filing or shipping.
USITC HTS
Use this official source when checking final classification, duty treatment, or customs requirements.
CBPUse this official source when checking final classification, duty treatment, or customs requirements.
EU TARICUse this official source when checking final classification, duty treatment, or customs requirements.
UK Trade TariffUse this official source when checking final classification, duty treatment, or customs requirements.
FAQ
Common questions
Where can I draft a CN22 or CN23 form?
Use the CN22 / CN23 Generator on TariffCatalog to draft a CN22 or CN23 form from a browser. The output is a preparation aid, not a final declaration; the carrier or postal operator is the source of truth for the final form.
Do I need to download a CN22 / CN23 PDF?
The browser-based generator produces a printable draft. Postal operators also publish official form templates; use the draft to collect and verify data before completing the official template. Carrier-specific layouts and fields may apply.
Can I use the same draft for multiple parcels?
No. Each parcel should have its own form with values, weights, addresses, contents, and HS code candidates matching the current order. Reusing a previous draft risks mismatched data and customs review.
How does CN22 differ from CN23?
CN22 is for eligible low-value parcels; CN23 applies when value, weight, or destination rules exceed the CN22 limits. Confirm the limits with the postal operator before selecting the form.
How do I fill HS code on a CN22 / CN23 form?
Enter a working HS code candidate per item, ideally a heading or subheading from the destination tariff database. The form is a draft; the postal operator or carrier may request additional digits or a different code in the destination national tariff.
Should I keep a copy of the form after mailing?
Yes. After mailing, store the form with the order record and tracking number. Custom holds, claims, and any post-mailing follow-up rely on a copy of the form and the supporting order and customs documents.
Disclaimer
TariffCatalog provides informational tools and preparation workflows only. Verify final classification, rates, document requirements, and filing treatment with official sources or licensed professionals.