Which Customs Form for Small Packets Internationally 2026

TL;DR

For USPS shipments under $400 and under 2 kg, use PS Form 2976 (CN22). For anything over $400, over 2 kg, or shipped via Priority Mail International, use PS Form 2976-A (CN23). Private couriers like FedEx, UPS, and DHL skip these forms entirely and require a commercial invoice instead. As of September 2025, all commercial shipments also need a six-digit HS code on the customs declaration.

Figuring out which customs form to use for sending small packets internationally shouldn’t be complicated, but USPS makes it confusing with overlapping form numbers, obscure acronyms, and a website that buries the simple answer. The form names alone trip people up: CN22, CN23, PS Form 2976, PS Form 2976-A, PS Form 2976-B, PS Form 2976-R. Some of these are the same thing with different names. One of them isn’t even a customs form at all.

This guide cuts through the noise. Whether you’re mailing a birthday gift to a friend in London or shipping Etsy orders to buyers in Tokyo, the decision comes down to a handful of variables: your package’s value, its weight, the mail class you’re using, and your carrier.

Before comparing carriers and rates, compare shipping costs to make sure you’re picking the cheapest option for your package.

The Quick Decision Table

This is the answer most people came here for. Find your scenario below and grab the right form.

Scenario	Form You Need
USPS, merchandise under $400, under 2 kg (4.4 lbs)	PS Form 2976 (CN22)
USPS, merchandise over $400 OR over 2 kg	PS Form 2976-A (CN23)
USPS Priority Mail International parcels (any value)	PS Form 2976-A (CN23)
USPS Priority Mail Express International	PS Form 2976-B
USPS, documents only (First-Class Mail International letters/flats under 15.994 oz)	No customs form required
FedEx, UPS, or DHL (any value)	Commercial Invoice
APO/FPO/DPO military mail	PS Form 2976-R at the counter (generates the appropriate form)

The rest of this article explains why each form exists, when you’d use it, and the recent rule changes that affect every international shipper in 2025 and beyond.

What Is a Customs Declaration Form?

Every country has the right to inspect packages crossing its borders. Customs declaration forms exist to tell border officers what’s inside your package so they can assess duties, taxes, and whether the contents are legal to import. The sender fills out the form. Always the sender.

These forms are standardized by the Universal Postal Union (UPU), the United Nations agency that coordinates postal policies between 192 member countries. The two main UPU customs forms are CN22 (short) and CN23 (long). USPS then wraps these in its own numbering system, which is where the confusion starts.

If you’re new to shipping packages in general, the complete shipping guide covers the end-to-end process from packing to drop-off.

CN22 / PS Form 2976: The Short Form

The CN22 is a small adhesive label, roughly the size of a large index card (74mm x 105mm), that sticks directly to the outside of your package. In USPS terminology, this is PS Form 2976.

When to use it:

Your package is valued at less than $400
It weighs under 2 kg (4.4 lbs)
You’re using First-Class Package International Service or First-Class Mail International
The contents are straightforward (one or two items, easy to describe)

The form has space for a brief description of the contents, the value, the weight, and a checkbox for the category (gift, merchandise, documents, returned goods, etc.). It’s designed for simple, low-value shipments.

The 300 SDR rule: The UPU sets the CN22/CN23 dividing line at 300 SDR (Special Drawing Rights), which is a basket of currencies used by the International Monetary Fund. In US dollars, USPS implements this as a $400 threshold. Other countries interpret it differently: UK postal services set it at roughly £270 GBP, and EU operators use approximately €355 to €425. If you’re shipping from a non-US origin, check your local postal service’s interpretation.

For common cross-border routes like shipping to Canada, the CN22 works fine for most small personal items.

CN23 / PS Form 2976-A: The Long Form

PS Form 2976-A corresponds to the UPU’s CN23 form. It’s a full-page document with room to list multiple items, each with individual descriptions, quantities, values, weights, countries of origin, and HS codes.

When it’s mandatory:

Packages valued over $400
Packages weighing over 2 kg (4.4 lbs)
All USPS Priority Mail International shipments, regardless of value
Commercial shipments or packages with multiple different items
Whenever the destination country requires it

According to USPS regulations, the contents, weight, value, mail class, and destination all factor into which form is required. But here’s the practical shortcut that experienced shippers use: you can always “upgrade” to the CN23 when only a CN22 is required, but you can never go the other direction. If the CN23 is mandatory, the CN22 won’t cut it.

Practitioners on Reddit and shipping forums consistently report that defaulting to the CN23 reduces customs holds. The logic is simple: more detail means fewer questions from border officials. One shipping software provider, Stamps.com, always generates the 2976-A regardless of contents, weight, or value for exactly this reason.

Pro tip: As of July 2025, USPS officially revised its regulations to allow PS Form 2976-A in place of PS Form 2976 for items that previously required only the short form. This formalized what experienced shippers were already doing.

PS Form 2976-B: Express International Only

PS Form 2976-B is reserved exclusively for Priority Mail Express International shipments. You can only get this form at the post office counter; it’s not available for home printing or through Click-N-Ship. If you’re using Express International, the clerk will provide this form when you drop off your package.

If you’re weighing whether Express International is worth the premium, the overnight shipping comparison breaks down costs across carriers.

PS Form 2976-R: The Form That Isn’t a Form

This is the single biggest source of confusion in the entire customs form system. PS Form 2976-R is not a customs declaration. It’s an electronic intake worksheet that USPS uses to generate the actual customs form.

Here’s how it works: You walk up to the counter and fill out a 2976-R. The clerk enters the information into the system, which then produces the real customs label (either a CN22 or CN23 equivalent) electronically. If you use USPS Click-N-Ship online, the website essentially acts as a digital 2976-R, collecting your information and generating the proper customs label when you purchase postage.

Older hand-written, barcoded 2976-A forms are now obsolete. USPS has moved to electronic form generation across the board. If a postal clerk hands you a 2976-R, don’t panic. You’re not filling out the wrong form. You’re filling out the worksheet that creates the right one.

For more on how electronic labels work, the shipping label guide covers label generation from home.

Commercial Invoice: What Courier Shipments Require

CN22 and CN23 forms are exclusive to Universal Postal Union member postal services (USPS, Royal Mail, La Poste, Deutsche Post, Japan Post, etc.). If you’re shipping through FedEx, UPS, or DHL, you won’t use either of these forms.

Private couriers require a commercial invoice instead. The data is largely the same: item descriptions, values, quantities, HS codes, country of origin. But the physical document is different, and each courier has its own template built into its shipping software. When you create a label through FedEx Ship Manager or the UPS website, the system generates the commercial invoice automatically based on what you enter.

One key difference: courier commercial invoices typically require more granular detail than a CN22, including the buyer’s tax ID number in some countries and specific Incoterms (like DDP or DAP). For high-value or time-sensitive shipments, the USPS vs. DHL comparison can help you decide between postal and courier options.

2025 and 2026 Rule Changes Every Shipper Must Know

The customs form requirements aren’t static. Several significant changes took effect in 2025 that directly affect which customs form to use for sending small packets internationally, and how to fill them out.

Six-Digit HS Code Requirement (September 2025)

Beginning September 1, 2025, USPS requires all international commercial shipments to include a six-digit Harmonized System (HS) code on customs declarations. This applies across all international mail classes, not just Priority Mail International.

An HS code is a standardized numerical classification that identifies exactly what you’re shipping. For example, a cotton T-shirt is 6109.10, while a ceramic mug is 6912.00. You can look up HS codes through the U.S. International Trade Commission’s search tool.

USPS won’t block your label if the HS code is missing, but destination countries may hold, delay, or return your package. For a deeper explanation of HS code classification and how to find the right code, check the HS code guide.

Personal gifts typically don’t need HS codes unless they’re business-related. But even for gifts, detailed item descriptions remain mandatory.

Detailed Description Requirements

Vague descriptions are no longer acceptable. Each item on a customs form must make clear what the item is, what it’s made of, and what its purpose is. “Electronics” will get flagged. “Bluetooth wireless earbuds, plastic housing” will not.

Customs agencies worldwide have been tightening enforcement on this front. The more specific you are, the faster your package clears customs.

Electronic Advance Data (EAD)

Many postal operators now require electronic pre-advice of customs data in addition to the physical form on the package. This means your CN22 or CN23 information needs to be transmitted electronically to the destination country before the package arrives. USPS handles this automatically when you create labels through Click-N-Ship or shipping software. Hand-written forms at the counter are converted to electronic data through the 2976-R intake process. But if you’re shipping through a non-US postal service, confirm that EAD is being transmitted, or your package could face delays.

USPS July 2025 Policy Update

USPS revised Exhibit 123.61 to formally allow PS Form 2976-A in place of PS Form 2976 for items that previously required only the short form. This is a welcome simplification. If you’re unsure which form to use, just go with the 2976-A and you’re covered.

Common Mistakes That Get Packages Returned (or Seized)

Knowing which customs form to use for sending small packets internationally is only half the battle. Filling the form out incorrectly causes just as many problems.

Marking Commercial Sales as “Gift”

This is customs fraud. Full stop. Ticking “Gift” on an e-commerce order, even for a $5 item, is illegal. You must select “Sale of Goods” or “Merchandise.” The “Gift” category exists strictly for private individuals sending personal items, like a grandmother mailing a birthday present. Penalties include package seizure, fines up to $10,000, and potential criminal charges for willful violations.

Undervaluing Items

Writing “$5” on a customs form for an item you sold for $50 to help the buyer avoid duties is also fraud. Customs agencies cross-reference declared values against known market prices and tracking data from e-commerce platforms. The risk isn’t worth it.

Vague or Generic Descriptions

“Stuff,” “household items,” “electronics,” and “clothing” are all descriptions that can trigger a customs hold. Be specific: “men’s cotton dress shirt, size L” or “USB-C phone charger, 20W.”

Forgetting to Sign the Form

An unsigned customs declaration is legally invalid. Some destination countries will reject the package immediately and send it back. This sounds basic, but it’s one of the most common reasons packages get returned, especially when forms are filled out in a rush at the post office counter.

Using CN22 When CN23 Is Required

If your package is over $400 or over 2 kg, the CN22 doesn’t have enough space or legal standing for the shipment. Many commercial shippers prefer the CN23 even when it’s not strictly required, because the extra detail space reduces the risk of customs queries.

How Shipping Software Eliminates the Guesswork

If you ship internationally more than occasionally, shipping software removes the customs form decision entirely. Platforms like Shippo, ShipStation, ShippingEasy, and Pirate Ship auto-generate the correct customs form based on the package details you enter: weight, dimensions, value, destination, and mail class. They also handle HS code lookup, electronic advance data transmission, and label printing.

For sellers running an e-commerce operation, the small business shipping guide walks through setting up a shipping workflow from scratch.

The software approach has another advantage: it forces you to enter complete information before generating the label. No accidentally blank fields, no unsigned forms, no wrong form type.

Once you know which form you need and how to fill it out, the next question is usually about cost. You can compare rates across carriers to find the cheapest way to get your package where it’s going.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a CN23 (PS Form 2976-A) even when only a CN22 is required?

Yes. As of July 2025, USPS formally allows the 2976-A to replace the 2976 in all cases. You can always use the more detailed form, but never the other way around. Many experienced shippers default to the CN23 for every international package because it reduces customs holds.

Do I need a customs form for sending a letter internationally?

No. Documents sent via First-Class Mail International as letters or flats weighing under 15.994 oz do not require a customs form. Once you’re sending merchandise or packages, though, a customs declaration is mandatory regardless of value.

Where do I get USPS customs forms?

They’re available free at any USPS post office counter. You can also generate them electronically through USPS Click-N-Ship or through third-party shipping software. Printable versions are available on usps.com.

What’s the difference between a customs form and a commercial invoice?

Customs forms (CN22, CN23) are UPU-standardized declarations used by national postal services like USPS, Royal Mail, and Australia Post. Commercial invoices serve the same purpose but are used by private couriers like FedEx, UPS, and DHL. The underlying data (descriptions, values, HS codes) is similar, but the documents themselves are different.

Do I need an HS code on my customs form?

For commercial shipments through USPS, yes. Since September 2025, a six-digit HS code is required on all international commercial customs declarations. Personal gifts are generally exempt, but detailed item descriptions are still mandatory.

What happens if I use the wrong customs form?

Your package may be delayed, held at customs, or returned to you. In cases of deliberate misrepresentation (like marking a sale as a gift or undervaluing contents), penalties can include fines up to $10,000 and package seizure.

Is PS Form 2976-R a customs form?

No. It’s an electronic intake worksheet that USPS uses to collect your information and then generate the actual customs declaration. If a clerk hands you a 2976-R, you’re on the right track. It’s just an intermediate step in the process.

Do I need a customs form for shipping to APO/FPO/DPO addresses?

Yes. Military mail going to APO, FPO, or DPO addresses outside the US requires customs documentation. At the counter, you’ll fill out a PS Form 2976-R, and the system will generate the appropriate customs form based on the contents and value.