Send a package to a private individual

Updated on 03/08/2026

Do I have to declare the goods I ship? What formalities do I have to carry out?

If I am making postal consignments to the French overseas departments or to countries outside the European Union (EU), the objects and goods must be the subject of a customs declaration, regardless of the type of consignment (including when the goods are sent free of charge).

What formalities for shipping?

If I am making postal consignments to the French overseas departments or to countries outside the European Union (EU), the objects and goods must be the subject of a customs declaration, regardless of the type of consignment (including when the goods are sent free of charge).

The customs declaration may take different forms depending on the goods. The sender fills in the postal forms CN22, CN23 or CP72 with the necessary documents (invoices...) that he will have to show outside the package.

Please note: postal forms CN22 and CN23 cannot be used for shipments with a value exceeding €1,000. From this amount, a customs declaration will be drawn up and lodged by La Poste1. For this type of shipment, it is preferable to inquire beforehand with the competent services of the country of destination.

1 La Poste, as customs declarant, shall lodge at the post office customs clearance center the customs declarations drawn up on the single administrative document (SAD), which it shall draw up on behalf of the consignor. These documents contain a number of headings which must be served with the utmost care, in order to facilitate customs clearance operations. Indeed, to clear your shipment, the customs of the country of destination must know the content. Otherwise, this may result in delays in the routing of the item and other inconveniences for the recipient. In addition, any false, ambiguous or incomplete statement may result in the seizure of the shipment and, if necessary, legal proceedings.

How to declare?

For shipments outside the European Union or to the French overseas departments, I must obtain at the post office one of the two postal forms necessary for the customs clearance of the shipment (the green postal label CN22 or the customs declaration CN23).
The choice of form to use depends on the nature of the shipment and its value.

Postal consignments (small consignments) with a value of not more than EUR 3802:

  • Green label CN22.
  • Your shipment can be opened automatically by the customs services.

Postal items with a value of more than EUR 380 and not more than EUR 10002:

  • Customs declaration CN23 (individual leaflet or leaflet integrated into the postal package CP72).
  • To clear your shipment, the customs of the country of destination must know the content. It may be opened ex officio by the customs services.

All postal items with a value of more than EUR 1 001:

  • Customs declaration CN23, accompanied by the customs declaration, drawn up and lodged by the Post Office.
  • For this type of shipment, please contact the administrative services of the country of destination.

2 The use of CN23 declaration is mandatory in relations between metropolitan France and the French overseas departments (Guadeloupe, Martinique, Guyana, Mayotte, Réunion) from a value of 400 euros. On arrival in the French overseas departments, consignments from private individuals are exempt from duties and taxes if their value does not exceed EUR 400.

Forms/declarations CN22 and CN23

Green postal label CN22

It contains the information to be filled in:

  • detailed content designation;
  • customs value (specify currency);
  • net weight of the package;
  • total value.

You must indicate whether it is a gift or a commercial sample. You can't ship anything that could be dangerous.

Customs declaration CN23

It contains the information to be filled in:

  • name and address of the consignor;
  • name and address of the consignee, specifying the country;
  • detailed content designation and number of objects sent;
  • tariff item corresponding to the customs nomenclature of the goods;
  • value;
  • weight;
  • country of origin of the goods.

This information must also be signed by the operator.

Attention: being the only postal document recognized by the tax administration, the use of a CN23 is recommended instead of the CN22, in particular to justify your exports and thus benefit from the VAT exemption for exports less than 1,000 euros. Above this amount, copy 3 of the SAD endorsed by the customs service at the point of exit from the EU should be kept.

Remember that certain products (cultural goods, precious stones, etc.) must be presented at specialized customs offices. In addition, certain derogating provisions on the control of foreign trade are possible (for example, the export license may not be due up to a limit of EUR 175/month/import).
This customs declaration shall be made out in English, French or in a language accepted in the country of destination.

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