International Shipping: The Customs Rules for Your E-Commerce

Shipping internationally is exciting, new markets, new customers, and more growth. But in recent years, customs regulations have tightened. And let's be honest: without the right info, things can get messy.

Here's everything you need to know about the latest customs changes, what they mean for your e-commerce shipments, and how to stay compliant, without the stress.

CN22 / CN23: What Are They and When Do You Need Them?

When shipping goods outside the EU, you need to declare what's inside your parcel. That's done using one of two customs forms:

• CN22 – for packages worth less than 300 SDR (around €384 as of April 2025)
• CN23 – for anything above that value

SDR (Special Drawing Rights) is a unit of account defined by the IMF, based on a basket of major international currencies (euro, dollar, yen, etc.).

These forms help customs authorities calculate duties and verify that everything is in order.

A single mistake on the form, a vague description, the wrong ticked box, and your parcel might be delayed or even blocked. Details matter.

The New Customs Requirements: What You Must Know

The EU has introduced stricter customs rules. Here are the three main updates:

Accurate product descriptions

Vague terms like "clothing" or "accessories" no longer cut it. You need specific details:

• "Organic cotton T-shirt, size M"
• Not: "Textile item"

Mandatory value declaration

Every item must have a declared value, even gifts, samples, or promotional items. Customs need that figure to calculate the correct taxes.

The country of origin must be declared

If your goods are manufactured outside the EU, that origin must be clearly stated. This also applies when shipping to EU countries.

Why these rules matter

European cross-border e-commerce has grown significantly in recent years, and with that growth comes increased scrutiny from customs authorities. Inaccurate declarations, vague product descriptions, or missing values create delays that damage customer satisfaction and inflate return costs.

Efficient customs processes are no longer optional: they are a baseline requirement for any merchant shipping internationally.

How to handle all this without losing your mind

Here are some simple best practices to keep your international shipments running smoothly:

• Get your product sheets in order – Make sure every product has a clear, accurate description, with the correct value and country of origin listed.
• Automate your customs paperwork – Use tools that generate CN22/CN23 forms automatically; you avoid human errors and save time.
• Stay on top of regulation updates – Customs rules change. Set up alerts or subscribe to trusted sources so you're always up to date.

So, where does ParcelRush come in?

We get it. International shipping is complicated. That's why ParcelRush makes it easy by:

• Automatically generating all required customs forms
• Ensuring compliance with the latest rules
• Centralising all your shipments (EU and non-EU) in one place
• Giving you a full view of your cross-border activity

Whether you're scaling up or just starting with international orders, ParcelRush helps you keep your shipping smooth, compliant, and cost-effective.

Further reading:

• HS & HTS Codes: Avoid Customs Delays — find the right code for every product
• Choosing the Right Carrier for Your E-commerce Business — DHL, UPS, FedEx compared
• How to Reduce Shipping Costs in E-commerce — practical strategies by volume
• 6 Common Shipping Bugs on Shopify and WooCommerce — and how to fix them

Automate your customs paperwork with ParcelRush — CN22, CN23 and HS codes generated automatically.