Postage to China

[123everton]

I want to send a parcel to a friend in China, the Post Office have given me a small stick on label for customs, is this enough? I spoke to bloke from another firm and he said I'd need an invoice (I36 or I6?) I don't know what these are or where to get one, any ideas?

[Buenchico]

A CN22 customs declaration is perfectly adequate for items valued up to �270 carried by the Post Office. Items above that value require a CN23 form, placed in an SP126 envelope.

Chris

[123everton]

Chris thanks ever so much, the value of the items comes to about �10, I was going to send it via a private courier firm (because they're cheaper) I don't suppose that'd matter would it?

[Buenchico]

I'm not sure about the procedures for using a private courier firm. The CN22 and CN23 forms are recognized throughout the world because they're approved by the Universal Postal Union. If you're sending goods through a non-UPU system, there might be different requirements.

The courier should be able to advise you of the relevant requirements. (Check their website for either direct information or for a helpline phone number). If they can't provide the information, you'd probably best be advised to avoid them anyway.

As a starting point, here's the link to UPS's webpage about export documentation:
http://www.ups.com/content/gb/en/resources/pre pare/documents/export/index.html?WT.svl=SubNav
(Check the links down the left, including ' commercial invoice' for further information).

Chris

[Trotbot]

You would need to declare the value on the form provided by the courier. That will then travel with the goods and form the basis of the customs declaration in China. Most low value are bulk cleared on a single import entry, and so should not be a problem. There is a possibility that the courier company will pass on a disbursement invoice for a pro-rata of the total duty and VAT payable on the consignment.

[123everton]

Nuts to it, I think I'll just send her a card! :-)