Guide
Shipping labels and customs forms for parcels from China
A shipping label must show who sends the parcel, who receives it, what is inside and what it is worth. Customs reads the same data. A vague description or a missing postcode stops more parcels than any other fault.
By Noel Murphy, Co-founder · Updated
What every label needs
- Sender. Name, address, phone number.
- Receiver. Full name, street address, city, postcode, country, phone number.
- Contents. A plain description of each item and the quantity.
- Weight of the parcel.
- Value of the goods and the currency.
- Country of origin.
- Tracking barcode from the carrier.
How to write the address
Write the receiver’s address in the letters used in the destination country. Put the country name on the last line, in English and in full. Add the postcode in the format of that country. Add a phone number: the carrier calls it when a delivery fails.
A missing postcode sends a parcel to manual sorting. A missing phone number turns one failed delivery into a return.
How to describe the goods
Customs needs to know what the goods are. One word is not enough.
| Vague | Clear |
|---|---|
| Gift | Men’s cotton T-shirt |
| Accessories | Phone case, TPU plastic |
| Electronics | Bluetooth speaker with built-in lithium battery |
| Sample | Stainless steel water bottle, 500 ml, empty |
Declare the price the buyer paid. A value that does not match the goods leads to an inspection.
Which customs form goes with which method
| Method | Form |
|---|---|
| Postal packet | CN22 for packets up to 300 SDR in value. CN23 above that, and for parcels. |
| Express and special lines | Commercial invoice |
| Air freight | Commercial invoice, packing list, air waybill |
| Sea freight | Commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading |
An SDR is a unit set by the International Monetary Fund. 300 SDR is about US$400.
HS codes
An HS code is a number that tells customs what a product is. The first six digits are the same in all countries. Each country adds its own digits after that. The code sets the duty.
The European Union asks for a 6-digit HS code on goods before they load in China. We check the code as part of customs clearance.
Marks for batteries and fragile goods
A product with a lithium battery inside needs the lithium battery mark on the carton when the route requires it. Fragile goods need rigid packing more than they need a sticker. Read what you can and cannot ship from China.
What we do
We print the carrier label, check the address, and prepare the customs form or the commercial invoice for each shipment. Send us the goods description, the quantity and the price paid, and we do the paperwork.
Questions
What is the difference between a CN22 and a CN23?
Both are postal customs forms. The CN22 is the short form for packets of lower value, up to 300 SDR. The CN23 is the full form for parcels and for goods above that value.
Can I write the address in Chinese?
The sender's address can be in Chinese. Write the receiver's address in the letters used in the destination country, and write the country name in English.
Can I mark a parcel as a gift to lower the duty?
No. Customs treats a wrong description or a wrong value as a false declaration. It can seize the goods and fine the importer.
Do I need an HS code on the label?
Postal parcels to the European Union and commercial shipments need one. We check the code before the goods ship.