When exporting to countries outside the EU, it’s essential that the customs information is accurate and complete. Customs authorities in the destination country use this information to determine whether the goods may be imported, and to classify the goods and calculate duties and taxes.

Accurate data helps speed up customs processing, while incomplete or incorrect information can lead to delays, additional charges, or even returns.

In Shipmondo, you’ll be asked to fill in customs information electronically when creating a shipment to or from a non-EU country. This information is used to generate the appropriate customs documents (commercial invoice or proforma invoice).

The following information is required:

The selected category determines which type of customs document will be generated automatically for the shipment.

If you choose Sales of goods or Other, this indicates that the shipment involves a commercial transaction between a seller and buyer, and a commercial invoice will be created.

If you select one of the other options, it indicates a non-commercial shipment (e.g. gift, return, sample), and a proforma invoice will be generated instead.

The number of units of the specific item in the shipment. This indicates how many pieces of the item are being shipped on the given order line.

The country where the item was manufactured or produced. Customs authorities use this information to determine applicable import rules and duty rates.

Example: If the product was manufactured in China, enter “CN”.

You can find a list of ISO country codes on the SKAT's website.

The content of the shipment must be described as clearly and accurately as possible in English so it’s easily understood by customs authorities in the destination country.

To meet customs requirements, your product description should, at minimum, answer the following:

You may also include additional relevant details such as size, intended user (e.g. gender/age), or other specifics that help identify the item.

Shipments with vague or unclear descriptions risk being delayed or rejected by customs.

See our guide to writing a good product description to make sure you include everything required.

This is an international classification system for products, used for customs declarations and Intrastat reporting of import/export between countries.

The code must be entered without spaces or periods and must contain either 8, 10 or 12 digits. If your code has only 7 digits, add a zero at the end to make it 8 digits.

If you don’t know the correct code, ask your supplier. If no supplier is available, you’ll need to classify the product yourself as best you can.

We recommend checking SKAT’s database or contacting SKAT directly for assistance.

The weight of a single unit of the item, stated in grams.

The value of a single unit of the item, excluding shipping and VAT.

This value must be stated in the same currency used on your commercial or proforma invoice and is used by customs authorities to calculate duties and taxes.

Enter the value without decimals.

Where possible, the entered information will be transferred electronically to the carrier.

Depending on the carrier and destination country, a physical customs invoice may still be required. If so, the customs documents will be printed automatically along with the shipping label when the selected carrier requires it.

Carriers may have different requirements regarding how customs documents should be handled. Below you’ll find instructions for preparing your shipment, based on the selected carrier:

If you’re shipping with PostNord Denmark, you can find more info about exporting to non-EU countries here.

You must print and attach 3 copies of the customs invoice in a plastic wallet on the outside of the parcel.

For further information, please contact the carrier directly.

When shipping with DHL Express, some destination countries support Paperless Trade (electronic exchange of customs data).

If Paperless Trade is supported, the label will be marked with C-PLT, and no physical customs documents need to be included.

If C-PLT is not shown on the label, you must print and attach 3 copies of the customs invoice in a plastic pouch on the outside of the parcel.

Example of a label where Paperless Trade is supported:

Tags: tariff, customs, pro forma, proforma, commodity code