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Filling In a CN22/CN23 Customs Declaration When Mailing Items Abroad from Japan: The Content Categories That Changed in June 2026, and Why You Must Describe the Contents Precisely
Based on Japan Post's guidance, this guide explains the CN22/CN23 customs declaration you need when mailing a gift to family or friends abroad. It covers the form changes from June 1, 2026 (new "Commercial goods" and "E-commerce goods" categories and English printed alongside Japanese), how to choose the right category, why item names, quantities, values and weights must be specific, how customs electronic data relates to Japan Post's International Mail My Page service, and a checklist before sending.
Written by Koetsu Co., Ltd.
Many people want to mail Japanese snacks or character goods to family and friends living abroad. When you do, you always need a customs declaration, which tells customs in the destination country what is inside.
Based on Japan Post's guidance, this guide covers the basics of the CN22 and CN23 customs declarations, the form changes from June 1, 2026 and how to choose a content category, why the contents must be described precisely, and how customs electronic data fits in. Please check Japan Post's latest guidance for postage and the detailed rules for each destination before sending.
What the CN22 and CN23 forms are
The CN22 and CN23 are forms that tell customs in the destination country the names, quantities, values and weights of the items you are mailing internationally. Japan Post recommends filling them in in English. Its guidance also warns that false, unclear or incomplete entries can lead to the item being seized.
Which form you need, and how many copies, depends on the type of mail and the destination. Japan Post says that if you create your label with its International Mail My Page service, the required number of customs declarations is generated automatically with the default settings.
The form changes from June 1, 2026
In a notice dated March 27, 2026, Japan Post announced that, following a revision of the Universal Postal Union regulations, the customs declaration form would change from June 1, 2026. The main changes are two new content categories, "Commercial goods" (business-to-business) and "E-commerce goods" (items sold online), and the printed second language on the form changing from French to English, so the form is now in English and Japanese.
Japan Post says labels created with International Mail My Page on or after June 1 are printed in the new format. The notice does not explain how handwritten forms or old-format forms are handled, so if you have old forms at home, it is safest to ask at a post office counter.
Choosing the content category that fits your purpose
| Purpose | Category to choose | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| A present for family or friends | Gift | Marking it as a gift does not guarantee it will be duty-free in the destination country |
| Business purposes, such as trade between companies | Commercial goods (BtoB) | Added from June 2026 |
| Shipping an item sold through an online shop | E-commerce goods | Added from June 2026 |
| Sending documents only | Documents | Items for sale cannot be sent as "Documents" |
Japan Post's notice says books, calendars and game cards should be declared as Gift, Commercial goods or E-commerce goods depending on the purpose. Do not choose Documents just because an item is made of paper. The table above shows the main examples; please check the new form for the other categories.
Describe the contents specifically, item type by item type
Japan Post's notes say that general descriptions such as "food", "sample" or "replacement parts" are not enough. The contents should be listed separately for each type of item, with the net weight of each and a value with the currency clearly stated. Marking the item as a gift, sample or document does not replace a detailed description of the contents.
If you are sending character goods, for example, one way is to avoid lumping everything together as "toys" and instead list each type separately in English, such as "plush keychain x 2" and "acrylic stand x 1". For snacks, write what kind of snack it is. Some destinations prohibit or restrict certain items, so check Japan Post's country and region information as well.
Japan Post also notes that if the total value of the contents exceeds 200,000 yen, an export declaration to customs is required, and when you post the item you need to say whether you will handle clearance yourself or use a customs broker.
Customs electronic data and International Mail My Page
According to Japan Post, since January 1, 2021, customs electronic data must be sent when mailing international items that contain goods. Because privately made CN22 forms cannot carry this data, Japan Post asks senders to create labels with its free International Mail My Page service. Without the electronic data, items to the United States are generally not accepted, and items to other countries may be delayed at customs or returned.
Checklist before sending
- Check Japan Post's country and region information for items the destination prohibits or restricts
- For items with batteries, or items that are large but light, check first whether they can be sent and how postage is calculated
- Choose the content category that fits your purpose (Gift, Commercial goods, E-commerce goods and so on)
- Describe each type of item specifically in English, with quantity, value (with currency) and net weight
- Create the label with International Mail My Page so the customs electronic data is sent
- Keep your copy and the acceptance receipt, as you will need them for inquiries or compensation claims
Japan Post's notes ask senders to keep the sender's copy and the EMS or international parcel receipt, because they are needed when requesting an inquiry or claiming compensation. For how to read tracking numbers, see our earlier guide to tracking a parcel from Japan.
Related: Can battery-powered toys be shipped abroad from Japan? and Why shipping a light plush toy abroad can still be expensive. Please note that Koetsu's two Mercari shops do not assume direct overseas shipping unless a product page says otherwise. This guide is general information for individuals sending mail abroad themselves.
