- Confirm the shipment is postal and that CN22 may apply under the postal operator threshold.
- Enter sender and recipient details exactly as they appear on the postal label.
- Add each item description with material, function, quantity, value, weight, and currency.
- Choose the nature of goods category, such as sale, gift, sample, return, or documents, based on the actual shipment.
- Add HS tariff number if requested by the postal operator or destination, using a verified candidate workflow.
- Add country of origin for each item and check it against supplier or production records.
- Review totals for value and weight against the label and parcel contents.
- Sign and date the document draft only after the postal operator requirements are checked.
Guide
How to Fill Out a CN22 Form
CN22 form preparation checklist for postal ecommerce shipments, including sender, recipient, item description, quantity, value, weight, origin, category, signature, and verification before mailing.
Answer Summary
Preparation checklist
CN22 is a postal customs declaration document draft, usually used only in postal shipment context.
It may apply when parcel value, weight, item count, postal operator rules, and destination rules fit the simplified postal declaration path.
The preparation checklist depends on shipment value, carrier, destination, and product facts; verify before filing or shipping.
Required fields or decision table
Fields to prepare before the document draft
| Field or decision | What to prepare |
|---|---|
| Postal shipment context | Confirm the parcel is moving through a postal operator, not courier, express, freight, or marketplace carrier workflow. |
| Sender | Sender name, address, and contact details that match the mailing account or parcel record. |
| Recipient | Recipient name, address, country, and contact details used by the destination postal operator. |
| Item description | Plain description with material and function, not vague wording such as gift or product. |
| Quantity, value, and currency | Quantity per item, declared value, unit or line total, and currency. |
| Weight | Item or parcel weight in the unit requested by the postal operator. |
| HS tariff number if requested | Candidate HS tariff number when the destination or postal operator asks for it. |
| Country of origin | Where each item was made or substantially transformed. |
| Category | Gift, sample, sale, return, documents, or other category as supported by the postal form. |
| Signature and date | Sender confirmation fields when required by the operator. |
Step-by-step preparation
How to prepare the draft
Ecommerce example
How this looks in a seller workflow
An Etsy seller mails one low-value handmade necklace through a postal operator. CN22 may apply if the operator and destination allow a simplified form for that parcel profile. The seller enters sender and recipient details, describes the item as "stainless steel pendant necklace," adds quantity, value, weight, currency, origin, sale category, and HS tariff number if requested. If the parcel exceeds the operator threshold or contains multiple detailed items, CN23 or another carrier workflow may be required.
Verification checklist
Review the record before it enters a shipment or filing workflow
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
- Assuming CN22 always applies to every international parcel.
- Using gift or sample as the item description instead of selecting the category separately.
- Leaving value, weight, currency, or country of origin blank.
- Using courier or marketplace shipments as if they were postal CN22 shipments.
- Adding an HS tariff number without verifying the product facts.
- Forgetting signature and date fields when the postal operator asks for them.
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
Does CN22 always apply to international parcels?
No. CN22 may apply only when the shipment is postal and fits the postal operator and destination thresholds. Courier, express, freight, and many marketplace label workflows usually use electronic customs data and a commercial invoice instead.
Is CN22 only for postal shipments?
Yes. CN22 is a postal customs declaration. If the shipment is not handled by a postal operator, confirm the carrier workflow rather than attaching a postal form that may not be used.
What item description should I write on CN22?
Write material + function + product type, such as "cotton knitted T-shirt" or "ceramic coffee mug." Do not use only gift, sample, accessory, or product as the item description.
Do I need an HS tariff number on CN22?
It depends on destination and postal operator rules. If requested, use an HS tariff number candidate as a preparation aid and verify it in the destination tariff source before filing or shipping.
What category should I select on CN22?
Choose the category that reflects the actual shipment, such as sale, gift, sample, return, or documents. The category does not replace the item description, value, origin, or verification workflow.
Does CN22 need country of origin?
Country of origin is often requested because it supports duty, tax, and trade program review. Use the country where the item was made or substantially transformed, not simply the mailing country.
When should I use CN23 instead?
CN23 may be required when value, weight, item count, or destination rules need more detail. The threshold depends on postal operator and destination requirements, so verify before mailing.
What should I verify before mailing?
Verify postal eligibility, sender/recipient details, item description, value, weight, currency, origin, category, HS tariff number if requested, and signature/date requirements before filing or shipping.
Disclaimer
TariffCatalog provides informational tools and preparation workflows only. Verify final classification, rates, document requirements, and filing treatment with official sources or licensed professionals.