What CN22 and CN23 are
CN22 and CN23 are the two standard customs declaration forms attached to international postal parcels. They are issued by the Universal Postal Union and used by national post operators and most small-parcel consolidators. CN22 is the simpler form for low-value shipments; CN23 is the longer form for higher-value, multi-item, or gift shipments.
- CN22: short form, used for low-value shipments under the lane threshold
- CN23: long form, used for higher-value, multi-item, gift, or controlled shipments
- Both forms declare contents, value, weight, sender, and addressee
- Both are postal forms, not commercial invoices
Shipment value threshold
The decision between CN22 and CN23 starts with the declared value. The lane threshold is set by the destination postal authority and the Universal Postal Union; the most common CN22 ceiling is around 425 SDR (about USD 550-600), but the exact threshold varies by lane and can change.
- Below the lane threshold: CN22 is usually sufficient
- Above the lane threshold: CN23 is required
- Verify the current threshold for the destination lane with the postal operator or the Universal Postal Union guidance
- Treat the threshold as a guide, not a guarantee; customs can request more documentation at any value
Shipment weight threshold
Weight is a secondary signal but it can still drive the form choice. Some lanes cap CN22 at a specific weight, above which CN23 is required. For heavier parcels, CN23 plus a packing list is usually the safer choice.
- Light parcels (under 2 kg in many lanes): CN22 usually applies
- Heavier parcels: CN23 plus a packing list to support customs review
- For parcels over the postal weight limit, switch to a courier or freight channel with a commercial invoice
Postal vs courier and freight channels
CN22 and CN23 are postal forms. Courier, express, and freight shipments do not use them; they need a commercial invoice plus carrier customs data. Picking the wrong document for the channel is a common cause of label rejection and customs delay.
- Postal: CN22 or CN23 declaration attached to the parcel
- Courier (DHL, FedEx, UPS): commercial invoice uploaded with the carrier label and printed inside the parcel
- Freight: commercial invoice plus packing list, filed by a broker at the destination
- A commercial invoice is the lowest common denominator; if in doubt, prepare one
Document vs merchandise shipments
Documents (paper, printed matter, no commercial value) usually travel on a different declaration track than merchandise. The customs declaration is still required, but the form is simpler and the duty treatment is usually nil. Merchandise, gifts, and returned goods follow the value-and-weight rules.
- Documents: simple declaration, no commercial value
- Merchandise: declare HS code, value, weight, and origin
- Gifts: still declare contents and value; do not misdeclare to avoid duty
- Returned goods: usually need a return reason and original invoice reference
Working example: cross-border D2C t-shirt
A D2C merchant ships a single $35 cotton T-shirt from a US warehouse to a buyer in Germany. The shipment uses the national post, so a postal declaration is required. Value is below the CN22 lane threshold and the parcel is light, so CN22 is sufficient. The merchant fills in HS code, value, weight, sender, and addressee on the CN22 form, attaches it to the parcel, and drops it off at the post office.
Common mistakes to avoid
Five errors appear repeatedly in CN22/CN23 preparation. Avoiding them reduces the risk of returned parcels, customs holds, and unexpected duty on the buyer.
- Using CN22 for a shipment above the lane value or weight threshold
- Declaring a low value to avoid duty on a merchandise parcel
- Shipping merchandise on a courier label without a commercial invoice
- Omitting HS code on the declaration when the destination lane expects it
- Reusing a CN22 from a previous shipment without updating the values and descriptions