- Confirm CN23 may apply because the parcel exceeds CN22 thresholds or needs detailed line-item review.
- Enter sender and recipient details exactly as the postal account and label show them.
- Create separate item lines for each product family rather than grouping unlike products.
- Add item description, quantity, value, currency, weight, origin, and HS tariff number if requested.
- Add license, certificate, or invoice reference fields only when the operator or destination asks for them.
- Compare total value and weight against the parcel label and ecommerce order record.
- Attach or retain the commercial invoice when the postal operator or destination asks for supporting value data.
- Verify the completed document draft before filing or shipping.
Guide
How to Fill Out a CN23 Form
CN23 postal customs declaration preparation checklist for higher-detail postal parcels, including item lines, value, weight, origin, license references, certificates, invoices, and verification.
Answer Summary
Preparation checklist
CN23 is a more detailed postal customs declaration document draft than CN22.
It may be required when value, weight, item count, destination, or postal operator rules require more line-item detail.
CN23 does not replace a commercial invoice in all cases; requirements depend on shipment value, carrier, destination, and product facts.
Required fields or decision table
Fields to prepare before the document draft
| Field or decision | What to prepare |
|---|---|
| Postal context | Confirm the shipment uses a postal operator and the operator requests CN23 rather than a carrier invoice workflow. |
| Sender and recipient | Full names, addresses, destination country, and contact details. |
| Detailed item lines | Separate line for each distinct product with material, function, and product type. |
| Quantity and unit | Quantity for each item line, matching parcel contents. |
| Value and currency | Declared value by item and total value, with currency stated. |
| Weight | Net or item weight and total parcel weight as requested by the postal operator. |
| Country of origin | Origin per line item, especially when the parcel contains mixed products. |
| HS tariff number if requested | Candidate tariff number for each item when required by postal or destination rules. |
| License/certificate/invoice references | References may be required for regulated goods, high-value parcels, or destination-specific controls. |
| Signature/date | Sender confirmation fields when the operator requests them. |
Step-by-step preparation
How to prepare the draft
Ecommerce example
How this looks in a seller workflow
A postal parcel contains phone cases, cotton T-shirts, and ceramic mugs with total value above the operator CN22 threshold. CN23 may be required because the parcel needs multiple line items with separate descriptions, quantities, values, weights, origins, and HS tariff number candidates if requested. If the same shipment moves by courier, the seller should use the carrier invoice workflow instead of assuming CN23 replaces the commercial invoice.
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
- Saying CN23 replaces a commercial invoice in all cases.
- Combining unlike products into one vague line item.
- Leaving license, certificate, or invoice reference fields blank when requested.
- Using CN23 for courier shipments without checking carrier workflow.
- Forgetting item-level origin when products come from different countries.
- Using declared value totals that do not match order records.
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 may CN23 apply?
CN23 may apply when a postal parcel is higher value, heavier, contains more item detail, or is going to a destination that requires the longer postal declaration. Exact thresholds depend on postal operator and destination rules.
Does CN23 replace a commercial invoice?
Not always. CN23 is a postal customs declaration, while a commercial invoice provides transaction and value data. Some postal shipments may also need invoice support, and courier shipments usually use commercial invoice workflows.
What item detail does CN23 need?
CN23 usually needs detailed item lines with description, quantity, value, currency, weight, country of origin, and HS tariff number if requested. The exact set depends on postal operator and destination rules.
Do I need HS tariff numbers on CN23?
It depends. If the postal operator or destination requests HS tariff numbers, use candidates as preparation aids and verify the final code in the official destination tariff source.
What are license or certificate references?
Some destinations or product categories may request license, certificate, or invoice references. These fields depend on product facts and destination rules, especially for regulated products.
Can I use CN23 for courier shipments?
Usually no. Courier, express, freight, and marketplace label shipments tend to use carrier electronic customs data and a commercial invoice. Confirm the carrier workflow before using postal forms.
How should mixed products be listed?
List distinct products separately. A parcel with clothing, mugs, and electronics should not be collapsed into one product line because value, origin, HS candidate, and review needs may differ.
What should I verify before shipping?
Verify sender/recipient data, item lines, descriptions, value, weight, origin, HS tariff number if requested, reference fields, and postal operator 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.