Documents for International Shipping: What Do You Need?
An incomplete commercial invoice is the #1 reason for customs delays. The good news: with the right platform, all your documents are automatically generated from your order data. But it helps to know what's on them and why.
Commercial Invoice
The most important document for non-EU shipments. Contains:
- Sender: company name, address, EORI number
- Recipient: name, address, optionally tax number
- Product description: detailed (not "clothing" but "cotton men's t-shirt")
- HS code: 6-digit product classification
- Value per item: in the transaction currency
- Total value: including shipping costs for DDP
- Weight: net and gross
- Country of origin: where the product was manufactured (not where you ship it from)
- Reason for export: "sale", "gift", "sample", "repair"
Some carriers like DHL Express and FedEx offer paperless customs: your commercial invoice is submitted digitally to the carrier / customs. No printing of commercial invoices, no need to attach this onto the shipment. Faster processing. Wuunder generates and submits the commercial invoice automatically.
If the carrier does not support paperless customes you need to print the commercial invoice (PDF) 3x and put this on the outside of the shipment (document pouch) next to the shippinglabel.
CN22 and CN23
- CN22: short customs form for postal shipments up to €300 and up to 2kg
- CN23: extended form for postal shipments above €300 or above 2kg
- Both are automatically generated when you ship via a postal carrier (PostNL international, Asendia, Spring GDS)
Certificate of Origin
Sometimes required: proof that your product was manufactured in a specific country. Relevant for preferential trade agreements (lower tariffs). Available via the Chamber of Commerce.
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HS codes: how they work
The Harmonized System is an international standard for product classification:
- 6 digits: the same worldwide (e.g. 6109.10 = cotton t-shirts)
- 8-10 digits: country-specific refinement for tariff calculation
- Why it matters: wrong HS code = wrong tariff, possible fine, or delay
- Where to look up: EUR-Lex TARIC database
EORI number
- What: EU-wide identification number for import/export
- Who: mandatory for every business shipping commercial goods outside the EU
- Apply: via Customs in your country of establishment
- Format: country code + number (e.g. NL123456789)
- Without EORI: your shipment can be held
How Wuunder automates this
When creating a shipping label:
- HS-codes and product data (description, value, weight) are retrieved from your WMS/ERP system or from your API request
- Commercial invoice is generated with your EORI and company details including the blue signature of the authorized person. Print it 3x and put it onto the shipment (document pouch)
- For paperless customs: submitted digitally and no need to print the commercial invoice
You don't need to fill in anything manually if your order data is complete.
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Frequently asked questions
Q: Which documents do I need for international shipping?
A: Outside the EU: a commercial invoice with HS codes, value, country of origin and EORI number. For postal shipments: CN22 (up to €300) or CN23 (above). Within the EU: no documents needed.
Q: What is an HS code and where do I find the right one?
A: A 6-digit international product code that determines which customs tariff applies. Look up the correct code in the EUR-Lex TARIC database.
Q: What is paperless customs?
A: With carriers like DHL Express and FedEx, customs documents are submitted digitally. No printing, no paper on the parcel. Faster processing at customs.
Q: How do I apply for an EORI number?
A: Free via Customs in your country of establishment. It's a one-time registration. Format: country code + number (e.g. NL123456789).
Q: What is a Certificate of Origin?
A: Proof that your product was manufactured in a specific country. Sometimes required for preferential trade tariffs. Available via the Chamber of Commerce.
Q: Does Wuunder generate my documents automatically?
A: Yes. When creating a label, Wuunder pulls product data from your order and generates the commercial invoice. With paperless carriers, everything is submitted digitally.
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