If you are shipping or receiving a parcel outside of the European Union, you must complete and affix the customs invoice to the parcel. Below you will find the customs invoice and the process to follow to fill this in.
Download the customs invoice below:
Download customs pdfIf you are shipping outside of the European union, it’s important that you:
if the shipment is non-commercial:
- print a copy of the sender’s identity document.
if the shipment is commercial:
- print a copy of the sender company’s tax identification number.
- print a copy of the commercial invoice.
You can purchase adhesive envelopes from any stationery shop or post office.
How to complete the customs invoice, step by step:
The customs invoice must be completed in English.
The customs document is an invoice which is essential for the customs authorities of each country to clear goods through customs, in order to calculate any taxes and apply any restrictions. It is important to indicate how your customs invoice will be processed:
- as a commercial invoice
When the goods are the object of a sale: the recipient has made a purchase. - as a non-commercial invoice
When the goods delivered are:- your personal items
- a sample
- a return
- a gift
The customs authorities pay particular attention to non-commercial invoices, and ensure that the shipment does not contain any hidden sale. Above all, do not try to trick the customs authorities by indicating the wrong type of invoice, or by underestimating the value of the goods shipped.
You must complete the identification fields for the sender and the recipient (identity number, passport number), or, for legal persons, the VAT number. Without this information, your parcel will be blocked at customs.
Tax identification number = national identification number, in most countries.
VAT number = the identification number with which the company is registered.
Make sure to ask your recipient for their tax identification number/VAT number before sending your parcel.
You must complete a detailed inventory of the items contained in the shipment.
Detailed description of each object, in English
Describe each type of object you have shipped in the first column of the table, as precisely and detailed as possible, as well as:
- its purpose
- its production materials
- its brand
- its size
- its use
- the gender for which it is intended (e.g.: shoes for women)
- any other detail which may apply to your specific object
Example
Marie is sending her husband, who has been transferred to Argentina for work, his personal items: a poster, a pair of socks, a phone, a watch and two t-shirts.

For any items which may contain materials of animal origin, such as leather, wool or silk (e.g.: shoes, jackets, bedspreads, etc.) it is mandatory to note the type of material and its origin: whether it is bovine leather or synthetic material.

If your items have been used (second hand), make sure to indicate this in the description.
Tariff code
The tariff code is an international classification of objects, used by customs authorities. In order to avoid any delays to your shipment, you will need to indicate the correct tariff code corresponding to your object.
To find the tariff code, visit www.tarifdouanier.eu and enter your object in the search bar located at the top of the page. Be sure to read the entire code description before choosing which is correct.
Example
Marie needs to find the tariff code for 5 different objects. Here are the numbers she has found:

Do not copy this, as your objects may contain different materials.
Tips for finding the correct tariff code
- Check the type of material or the ingredients with which the object has been produced, as well as its function.
- Once you have received your results, use your browser’s search function (ctrl+f or cmd+f) to highlight the key words for your search.
- Read the full description – make sure that it corresponds to your object.
- Pay attention to any text following the key word ‘excl.’, which means that the number does not correspond to any items described after this word.
- If you cannot find the object via the search function, try using synonyms ('trousers' instead of 'jeans', 'record' instead of 'vinyl', etc.).
- Above all, do not panic.
Country of origin
Indicate the object’s country of origin. In case of any doubt, you can check this information on the ‘Made in’ label. If you do not have this information, indicate the shipping country.
Number of items
If you are shipping more than one item of the same type (e.g.: 2 cotton t-shirts), you can describe them in one line of the table, and then specify the number of items shipped. To decide whether or not you need to describe the object in a new line, ask yourself:
Does the same tariff code apply to all items indicated in this line?
If the answer is no, you will need to describe the item in a new line.
If you are shipping more than 13 different items, download an additional table from the following link:
Download inventory tableItem value
Indicate the actual value of each item you have described.
This value cannot be €0.
If you are shipping personal items without a specific value, try to estimate as precisely as possible; how much would you sell these items for second hand?
If you are shipping items you have produced yourself, try to estimate the cost of the materials used for their production.
Indicating a value that is not appropriate to the description (e.g. €1 for a smartphone) may cause delays or block your shipment. In case of any irregularities, the customs authorities will request additional documents.
Example
Although the shoes and telephone are used, Marie indicates their actual market value, basing this figure on their origin and age. This value is approximate, but necessary.
Here you can see how Marie has completed the customs invoice:

Select the correct reason for the shipment. We remind you that DPD does not carry out temporary exports, only permanent ones.
Indicate the number of parcels being shipped in the corresponding field. If there is more than one, add the total weight of the parcels and indicate this in the weight field.
It is essential that you indicate the exact weight. If not, you may encounter problems with the customs authorities: delay, blocked goods or additional fees.
This is a declaration required by the customs authorities. It confirms that what you are shipping is not for military usage.
If you intend to ship an item which may be used for military purposes: DO NOT SHIP IT, this is illegal.
This is a declaration required by the customs authorities. It indicates that you are not sending any item produced with prohibited materials, in accordance with legislation for the protection of endangered species.
If you intend to ship an item produced with materials originating from endangered animals (for example, an elephant tusk): DO NOT SHIP IT, this is illegal. In case of any questions, consult: https://checklist.cites.org/
You acknowledge having been warned that the shipment cannot be exported temporarily, and that standard customs duties will be applied. DPD does not carry out temporary customs clearance outside of the European Union.