Electronic Customs Data

From 1st January 2021, all postal administrations dispatching goods will have to supply recipient postal administrations with electronic customs data detailing the contents of any mail and parcels containing goods. This concerns all items containing goods to be sent to destinations beyond the UK including the Channel Islands.

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From Friday 1^st January 2021, the requirement for accurate customs documentation for items containing goods sent to Rest of World addresses will also apply to EU destinations. The changes are required by the Universal Postal Union (UPU) and the World Customs Organisation (WCO).

It has always been a requirement for customs declaration forms (CN22A/B and CN23 for mail and CP72 for parcels sent via Parcelforce) to be used for countries beyond Europe, but from 1st January 2021 they will need to be used for all destinations beyond the UK including the Channel Islands – Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney, Herm and Sark.

The information provided on the customs declaration forms (set out below) will be  captured and forwarded digitally to the destination postal administration and their Customs Officials, in advance of the goods being despatched. This method of providing customs data will help to automate and speed up manual processes, which can enable a more efficient customs clearance process as well as supporting an effective risk-based customs control.

Which form do I need?

 'Old' versions of the CN22 and CN23 will no longer be accepted, only the forms outlined in the table below will be accepted.

Form	Image	When to use
CN22A		Please use this form if you are sending goods valued at less than £270 and using any of the following services: Special Delivery to the Channel Islands ONLY. Customs Declarations are not required for items destined for the UK. International Tracked and Signed International Tracked International Signed
CN22B		Please use this form if you are sending goods valued at less than £270 using standard non-tracked services for destinations beyond the UK including the Channel Islands.
CN23		Please use this form if you are sending goods valued at £270 or more using any service for destinations beyond the UK including the Channel Islands.

CP72s are used when sending parcels using Parcelforce services.

How to obtain customs declaration forms?

Forms are available from all Post Offices, or to download at the bottom of the page. If you are a commercial organisation or sending large volumes you can order direct from our stores on stores@iompost.com. When ordering from stores you must stipulate:

• The form(s) required e.g. CN22A, CN22B or CN23
• The quantity of form(s) required
• The address where the form(s) should be sent to and a name as a point of contact.

Information required for customs declaration forms

To complete the customs forms accurately the following information is required for each item (containing goods):

• Sender’s full name - This must be the full name rather than initials e.g. George Smith not G Smith
• Sender’s address  
• Recipient’s full name - This must be the full name rather than initials e.g. Alan Jones not A Jones 
• Recipient’s address - This must include the full name of the country rather than initials e.g. America not USA
• Gross item weight
• The nature of the content including the value of the item with the currency used
• A brief description of each individual item within the package including the quantity (the individual quantities of each item and the total quantity of all items), net weight and unit of measurement (e.g. Kilogram or litres), value of the items in GBP
• The country of origin of the goods.

Goods which are damaged will not be accepted, so please ensure you package your items well. For hints and tips on packing your items, click here.

For commercial items only:

• The HS tariff number
• The country of origin of the goods

For more information about how to complete the customs declarations please view our CN22 Explained documents which are available to download at the bottom of the page.

From 1^st January 2021 any items received by Isle of Man Post Office without the above information may be delayed or returned and subject to further charges.

This page will be updated frequently, so please do check back regularly. In the meantime please see below some Frequently Asked Questions to provide further context to these changes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Electronic Customs Data (ECD)?

Electronic Customs Data is the electronic transmission of customs information. The contents data needs to be captured electronically and transmitted to the country of destination. This is due to statutory and international requirements. The new requirements are internationally valid and are coordinated by the Universal Postal Union (UPU) in cooperation with the World Customs Organisation (WCO).

Why do customers need to provide ECD?

ECD is required to ensure that existing, emerging and future legislative, security and customs requirements in overseas destinations are met. Some countries are applying penalties, delaying or returning items in the absence of the required data and we want to help our customers avoid this. If customers ensure all the correct data is provided when the item is posted, this data will be collected and forwarded by IOMPO. 

What are the benefits of ECD?

Providing complete and accurate electronic customs data will:

• Avoid delays and/or penalty charges
• Enable an easier and slicker customs clearance and import process for recipients with less delays in customs, resulting in faster deliveries as a result
• Allow customers to be ready for and comply with emerging and future legislative changes and individual country requirements.

Which countries require customs declarations?

All destinations outside of the UK, including the Channel Islands – Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney, Herm and Sark require customs declarations.

What items are considered as documents?

His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs’ (HMRC) definition is that letters, postcards, braille letters, individual invoices / statements don’t need CN22s, but magazines, periodicals, bulk sets of blank forms (such as invoices and statements) all need customs declarations as these are goods and should have a value applied under valuation methods as usual.

 

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Related Downloads

• CN22 Explained for Commercial Customers
• CN22 Explained for Retail Customers
• CN22 Customs Form - for items up to £270 in value
• CN22B Customs Form - for items less than £270 in value SAMPLE
• CN23 Customs Form - for items greater than £270 in value