How do I describe goods on a customs form?
Be specific: what the item is, what it is made of and what it is used for. Vague words like gift, parts or samples cause delays.
Describe each item so a stranger could picture it without opening the box. Say what it is, what it is made of and what it is for. Vague descriptions are one of the top reasons parcels get held.
Weak versus clear
- “Clothes” becomes “women’s cotton t-shirts, two”
- “Parts” becomes “steel bicycle brake levers”
- “Gift” becomes “ceramic coffee mug, handmade”
- “Samples” becomes “fabric swatches, polyester, no commercial value”
Other boxes on the form
- Quantity. Count units, not boxes.
- Value. The real amount paid, or a fair value for gifts.
- Origin. Where the item was made, not where you bought it.
- Commodity code. Small shippers sending goods for sale may need an HS code. Look it up in your country’s tariff tool.
One line per item type
Do not lump a jacket, a book and a phone charger into one line. Separate lines help customs apply the right rate to each.
Shipping often? Read what to declare. General information only, not legal advice. Rules differ by country and change, so the customs authority of the country you are entering always has the final word.