- Confirm with the carrier or postal operator whether CN23 applies or the parcel requires a commercial invoice.
- Collect the order record: parties, line items, quantities, values, currency, country of origin, HS code candidates.
- Draft the CN23 from the postal declaration generator with each item, value, weight, origin, and HS code candidate.
- Draft the commercial invoice from the generator with the same line items, values, weights, and origins.
- Check that values, weights, line items, HS code candidates, and origins match across both documents before printing.
- Attach the documents per carrier or postal operator guidelines and store copies with the order record and tracking number.
Guide
CN23 vs Commercial Invoice: When Each Document Applies and How to Draft Both
Comparison of CN23 and commercial invoice for international parcels that exceed CN22 limits, covering form selection, required fields, line-item matching, and how to draft both from one order record.
Answer Summary
Preparation checklist
CN23 is the postal customs declaration form for parcels that exceed CN22 limits. A commercial invoice is the transactional document used by carriers, brokers, and buyers.
Pick CN23 when the parcel is eligible for postal handling but exceeds CN22 limits. Pick a commercial invoice when the shipment is business, higher-value, or carrier-handled.
Both documents may travel together; values, weights, line items, HS code candidates, and origins must match across both.
Required fields or decision table
Fields to prepare before the document draft
| Field or decision | What to prepare |
|---|---|
| Eligibility | Parcel value, weight, destination, and product category decide whether CN23 applies or a commercial invoice is required. CN22 limits are a starting point; check the postal operator for the current threshold. |
| Document purpose | CN23 declares the parcel for postal customs handling; the commercial invoice records the transaction. |
| HS code candidate | Both documents may request HS code candidates; verify the full national code in the destination tariff database. |
| Country of origin | Both documents require country of origin per item. |
| Carrier or postal operator rules | The carrier or postal operator is the source of truth for which documents travel with the parcel. |
Step-by-step preparation
How to prepare the draft
Ecommerce example
How this looks in a seller workflow
A Shopify seller dispatching a multi-item parcel weighing 4 kg to a Canadian buyer drafts CN23 because the parcel exceeds CN22 limits and the postal operator allows CN23. For a separate business shipment to a US wholesaler, the seller drafts a commercial invoice; both documents travel together with matched line items, values, and HS code candidates.
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
- Forgetting to switch from CN22 to CN23 when value or weight exceeds the CN22 limit.
- Mismatched values, weights, HS code candidates, or origins between the CN23 and the commercial invoice.
- Skipping country of origin on either document.
- Trusting a draft without verifying carrier or postal operator rules.
- Discarding drafts after mailing instead of keeping them with the order record.
- Using CN23 when the destination or carrier requires a different declaration.
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
When should I use CN23 instead of CN22?
Use CN23 when the parcel exceeds CN22 limits (value, weight, or destination) and the postal operator allows a postal customs declaration for that scope. Confirm the current CN22 / CN23 limits with the postal operator before dispatch.
Do I need a commercial invoice with a CN23?
Sometimes. CN23 declares the parcel for postal handling, but the carrier or destination may still require a commercial invoice for business or higher-value shipments. Check the carrier or postal operator rules before dispatch.
What is the difference between CN23 and a commercial invoice?
CN23 is the postal customs declaration for parcels above the CN22 thresholds. A commercial invoice is the transactional document used by carriers, brokers, and buyers. The two serve different purposes and may travel together.
Do values and weights need to match between CN23 and the invoice?
Yes. When both documents travel with the parcel, values, weights, line items, HS code candidates, and country of origin must match across both. Mismatches can trigger customs review or shipment delay.
How do I fill HS code on a CN23?
Enter a working HS code candidate per item, ideally a heading or subheading from the destination tariff database. The CN23 is a draft; the postal operator or destination customs authority may request additional digits or a different code in the destination national tariff.
Whose rules decide which document applies?
The carrier or postal operator decides which document applies, and destination customs may add further requirements. TariffCatalog drafts are preparation aids; the final document is the responsibility of the sender.
Disclaimer
TariffCatalog provides informational tools and preparation workflows only. Verify final classification, rates, document requirements, and filing treatment with official sources or licensed professionals.