The CN22 form provides parcel content details for shipments under €425 or £270 and under 2 kg. Affixed to postal packages, it informs customs of the shipment's contents and value. For example, an e-commerce business sending low-value accessories to Germany would complete a CN22 form for each parcel.

The CN22 customs form represents the gateway drug of international shipping—a deceptively simple green sticker that introduces small businesses to global commerce. Designed for low-value shipments under £270 and 2kg, this humble form enables anyone with products and ambition to reach customers worldwide through affordable postal services.

Yet its simplicity masks importance. That small form affixed to packages determines whether your handmade jewellery reaches Berlin buyers smoothly or sits in customs limbo. The difference between a properly completed CN22 and a rushed afterthought can mean the difference between five-star reviews and refund requests from frustrated international customers.

The Strategic Role of CN22 in Modern Commerce

CN22 forms emerged from recognising that not all international mail contains letters. As global eCommerce democratised international trade, postal services needed mechanisms to process small commercial shipments efficiently. The CN22 provides just enough information for customs screening without overwhelming systems designed for massive volumes.

This simplicity proves both blessing and curse. The blessing: anyone can complete a CN22 without special training or complex software. A craft seller at their kitchen table can access the same global postal network as major retailers. The curse: this accessibility leads many to underestimate CN22's importance, treating it as a formality rather than a critical compliance document.

The genius lies in the thresholds. By limiting CN22 to lower values and weights, postal authorities created a sweet spot for small businesses. Below these limits, simplified documentation suffices. Above them, more detailed CN23 forms apply. This tiering enables efficient processing while maintaining security and revenue collection.

Understanding CN22's position helps optimise shipping strategies. For businesses selling items like accessories, craft supplies, or small gifts, staying within CN22 thresholds dramatically simplifies international fulfilment. Smart sellers even adjust product bundles to remain under limits, choosing simplicity over marginal revenue increases.

Common Challenges and Practical Solutions

The Description Dilemma

CN22's compact format creates description challenges. With limited space for content details, sellers must balance completeness with concision. Too vague, and customs may inspect or reject. Too detailed, and critical information gets truncated or illegible.

An accessories seller discovered this through costly trial and error. Initial CN22s showing just "jewellery" triggered inspections delaying deliveries. Attempting comprehensive descriptions like "Sterling silver chain necklace with semi-precious stone pendant, 18 inches, handcrafted" proved impossible in available space. They found success with structured abbreviations: "Silver necklace w/stone pendant - fashion jewellery" providing enough detail for customs classification without overwhelming the form.

The solution involves developing a description vocabulary optimised for CN22 constraints. Focus on material, function, and category rather than marketing descriptions. "Cotton t-shirt" beats "Vintage-inspired graphic tee." "Wooden toy" suffices over "Handcrafted educational puzzle." Consistency across shipments builds customs familiarity, reducing inspection likelihood.

Gift Versus Commercial Confusion

Many sellers attempt to mark all shipments as gifts, believing this helps customers avoid duties. This misconception creates more problems than it solves. Customs authorities scrutinise gift declarations, particularly repeated "gifts" from commercial addresses. False declarations risk penalties for both sender and recipient.

A stationery seller learned this after marking all orders as gifts to "help customers." When customs noticed dozens of "gifts" from the same sender, they investigated, finding a clear commercial operation. Beyond fines, the seller's packages now face automatic inspection, destroying any efficiency gains from postal shipping.

The truth provides better results than deception. Mark commercial shipments honestly as "merchandise" or "sale of goods." Reserve gift designation for genuine gifts. If customers request gift marking to avoid duties, explain the risks and suggest they handle any duties as part of international shopping. Honesty builds the trust enabling long-term postal shipping success.

Volume Processing Challenges

As order volumes grow, manual CN22 completion becomes a bottleneck. A successful craft business found themselves spending more time on CN22 forms than creating products. With 30-50 international orders daily, documentation consumed hours of productive time.

They revolutionised operations by integrating CN22 printing with their order processing. Now, picking lists include pre-populated CN22 forms. Staff simply affix them during packing, reducing processing time by 90%. The key insight: treat CN22 as part of order data, not separate documentation.

This integration extends beyond printing. Validate descriptions during product setup. Ensure values flow accurately from orders. Build checks preventing common errors like missing quantities or truncated text. When CN22 generation becomes automatic and accurate, international orders process as efficiently as domestic ones.

Business Impact of CN22 Excellence

Mastering CN22 documentation unlocks disproportionate value for small businesses. The ability to ship internationally for £3-8 rather than £15-30 courier rates transforms unit economics. Products previously priced out of international markets become competitive. Customer acquisition costs drop when shipping doesn't destroy margins.

A handmade soap company illustrates this perfectly. Initially avoiding international sales due to shipping costs exceeding product values, they discovered CN22-enabled postal shipping. Suddenly, £15 soap orders could ship profitably worldwide. International sales grew from zero to 40% of revenue within a year, entirely enabled by effective small packet shipping.

The simplicity dividend proves equally valuable. When international shipping requires only printing an address label and completing a simple CN22, psychological barriers disappear. Staff confidently process international orders. Systems scale without complexity explosions. Growth becomes manageable rather than overwhelming.

Customer experience improves dramatically too. Affordable shipping enables free shipping thresholds previously impossible internationally. Delivery times, while longer than premium services, meet expectations when communicated clearly. The combination of reasonable costs and reliable delivery builds the repeat business essential for sustainable growth.

Key Metrics to Monitor

Effective CN22 management requires tracking both efficiency and outcomes. Monitor form completion time—how long does each CN22 take from start to finish? Include printing, completing, and affixing. High times indicate integration opportunities.

Track documentation accuracy through returned package rates. CN22 errors often manifest as returns weeks later. Compare international return rates against domestic to identify documentation versus product issues. Even small improvements in accuracy compound into significant cost savings.

Measure the revenue impact of affordable international shipping. What percentage of revenue comes from CN22-eligible shipments? How does international customer lifetime value compare to domestic? These metrics justify continued investment in postal shipping capabilities.

Monitor destination performance patterns. Some countries process CN22 shipments efficiently; others consistently delay. This intelligence guides market focus and sets accurate customer expectations. If certain destinations prove problematic despite correct documentation, consider whether the market justifies the friction.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can we use CN22 for all international shipments?

No, CN22 only applies to shipments under value and weight thresholds (typically £270 and 2kg). Exceeding either limit requires CN23 documentation. Some destinations have lower thresholds. Always verify current limits as they change periodically.

Should we include invoices with CN22 shipments?

Generally unnecessary for true CN22-threshold shipments. The form itself provides customs information. However, some sellers include simplified invoices for customer reference or specific destination requirements. Keep any additional documentation simple to maintain postal efficiency advantages.

How many CN22 forms per package?

One CN22 per package, regardless of contents complexity. If shipping multiple packages to one customer, each needs its own CN22. The form describes the specific package contents, not the overall order. This requirement sometimes influences packaging decisions.

What about returns with CN22?

Return shipments need their own CN22 if crossing borders. The challenge: customers preparing forms correctly. Smart sellers include pre-completed return CN22s with shipments or provide clear online instructions. Consider return label services that include documentation preparation.

Integration Considerations

CN22 success requires thoughtful integration with existing operations. Your eommerce platform should identify international orders qualifying for postal shipping. Product data needs customs-friendly descriptions accessible during form generation. Order values must flow accurately to avoid declaration errors.

Your warehouse management system plays a crucial role in enforcing CN22 compliance. Build validations ensuring international postal packages include completed forms. Prevention beats correction every time.

Consider how packaging decisions affect CN22 eligibility. Sometimes splitting orders across multiple packages to stay under thresholds provides better economics than single parcels requiring CN23. Build this intelligence into fulfilment logic.

Alternative Approaches to Small Packet Documentation

Handwritten Forms

Still surprisingly common, manual CN22 completion guarantees inconsistency and inefficiency. Every form becomes an exercise in cramped handwriting and hoping customs officers can decipher your scrawl. Utterly unscalable.

Pre-Printed Generic Forms

Some businesses pre-print CN22s with common descriptions, manually adding values. Marginally better than pure handwriting but still prone to errors and lacking order-specific accuracy. The time saved rarely justifies accuracy compromised.

Integrated Digital Generation

Leading sellers generate CN22s automatically from order data. Forms print with address labels, ensuring consistency and accuracy. This integration enables postal shipping to compete with courier efficiency while maintaining cost advantages crucial for small businesses.

For start-up eCommerce businesses and established retailers alike, CN22 mastery enables profitable international expansion previously reserved for larger competitors.

Next Steps: Launch Your International Growth

Assess your product range for CN22 eligibility. Which items fall within weight and value thresholds? Calculate potential savings versus current international shipping costs. The opportunity often surprises businesses avoiding international sales due to perceived shipping barriers.

Then build systematic capabilities. Create customs-compliant descriptions, integrate form generation with order processing, train staff on requirements, and monitor performance. Small investments in CN22 excellence unlock global markets.

Schedule a Consultation to develop international shipping strategies that profitably reach worldwide customers.

Related Topics: CN23 | CP71 (Postal Customs Declaration) | International Shipping