Customs requirements when sending goods
When sending items overseas, it’s important that you abide by the shipping rules of the destination country.
All postage labels created through Jersey Post include the Electronic Advance Data (EAD) required to send goods – this provides customs data electronically ahead of items arriving at their destinations. This minimises delays and ensures the smooth and timely delivery of your items.
Always check the customs requirements for the postal authority in the country you are sending to ensure the relevant requirements are met.
For EU destinations
Customs require ICS2 which involve additional security measures related to airmail from postal operators. These measures require electronic submission of data related to the sending of postal goods prior to despatch and are intended as a safety measure for all states involved.
As well as ICS2, the use of HS Codes is mandatory for shipping commercial goods to the EU from a non-EU country. This includes the UK as we are no longer part of the EU Customs Union.
HS Codes allow customs authorities worldwide to have a standardised numerical method of classifying traded products using the 6-digit (minimum) HS code on the label, an 8-digit for Germany and a 10-digit for Ireland for commercial items.
No, but you need to apply for 'Outward Processing Relief' with JCIS (Jersey Customs and Immigration Service).
Outward processing relief is a GST relief which allows the temporary export of goods from Jersey for processing or repair and re-importation of the processed goods with total or partial relief from GST.
Private individuals wishing to import goods replaced under warranty or re-import goods which have been repaired off island do not need to apply for authorisation until the replacement goods are imported, or the repaired goods are re-imported.
Businesses wishing to take advantage of this relief should apply to JCIS. In most cases, an online CAESAR declaration is likely to be the most convenient way of making this declaration. Applications should be made before the goods are exported.
For more information on the terms and application process for Outward Processing Relief, please refer to the 'Relief from GST' page on the States of Jersey (gov.je) website.
Customs declaration forms
If you are using our standard service and sending a gift under £270.00, a CN22 customs form must be completed. You will need to ensure that all of the relevant sections are completed. For gifts over £270.00 a CN23 form is required; this form asks for additional information. If you are using our parcel service a CN23 form is always required. In all cases, please ensure you include any charges made to your customer, such as postage and packaging in the value of each item.
Paying VAT
VAT must be paid on most items sent from Jersey to the UK. As a personal customer, any items that you have sold via an online selling website, are subject to VAT. It is advisable to prepay VAT at the time of sending to minimise transit times and ensure quick customer clearance. In addition, Royal Mail add an £8 handling fee for non-prepaid VAT items, which the recipient may be asked to pay on receipt of the item.
If you are a business sending items that have been sold online, you will need to pay VAT on any item that you are posting to customers based in the UK. For more information visit www.gov.je.
If you regularly send goods to the UK you may qualify for entry to the pre-paid VAT scheme. Please contact our Customer Care team on 616616 to find out more.
When returning an item, you must attach the relevant labels to your parcel sent to you by the retailer as well as complete and attach one of the below customs delaration forms:
- CN22 = if value of goods is less than £270
- CN23 = if value of goods is more than £270
This is because the labels provided to you by a retailer will not automatically include the customs information (EAD – Electronic advance data) required to send off island.
If you require further assistance people contact us on 616616 or customercare@jerseypost.com.
Gift definition
A gift is defined as an item
- Sent between two private people,
- It is of an occasional nature, such as a birthday or Christmas gift
- where no monetary consideration has been made.
Packages containing more than one gift
When a package contains gifts that are clearly intended for several people, for example, members of the same family, the £39.00 VAT relief applies to each individual person provided the gifts are:
- Individually wrapped
- Specifically addressed to each individual
- Declared separately on the customs declaration form,
for example. Its Christmas and you are sending a box of gifts to the UK.
The box contains 3 items.
- 1 Teddy bear worth £5.00
- 1 box of chocolate worth £3.00
- 1 garment worth £50
Each item must be listed individually on your customs form.
Customs declaration forms
When you send an item that requires customs in formation, our system will automatically create a customs label for you.
Paying VAT
VAT must be paid on most items sent from Jersey to the UK. Any gifts you are sending that exceed a retail value of £39.00 will need to have VAT paid on them.
It is recommended to prepay VAT at the time of sending to minimise transit times and ensure quick customs clearance.
In addition, Royal Mail may add a handling fee for non-prepaid VAT items, which the recipient may be asked to pay on receipt of the item.
Return address
It is essential that you include a return address on the outside of the packaging.