Electronic Advance Data (EAD) - what you need to do when sending parcels overseas

• Sending international parcels instore or using a manual consignment note
• Sending international items parcels using NZ Post online tools
• Sender, Receiver and Parcel Contents: EAD requirements and examples
• HS Tariff and TARIC codes
• Destinations requiring HS Tariff codes
• Privacy of information

If you’re sending parcels overseas, there are important global Customs clearance requirements that need to be met to ensure your parcel reaches its destination without being delayed or returned.

For border security and clearance purposes, we need to electronically capture the sender, receiver and parcel content information that you provide on the Customs declaration form for any international sending services (except Economy Letters* International). This information needs to be shared in advance, to the destination postal administration and national government agencies (such as Customs) for purposes such as fiscal, risk, security and border clearance, in line with national and international legislation.

* Letters generally do not require a Customs declaration form. However, if the letter contains a declarable value (e.g. a calendar) then the appropriate Customs declaration form must be filled in and attached to the item, and EAD processes followed.

Sending international parcels in-store or using a manual consignment note

Once you have completed the Customs declaration form, your NZ Post store will scan the barcode and take an image of the completed form at the counter. This will be converted into an electronic format (EAD).

Recent changes to global Customs clearance requirements means that if the Customs declaration form is not filled out correctly for EAD purposes, your parcel could be delayed or returned. To ensure your item arrives safely the first time, you must:

• Write in English and BLOCK capitals
• Make sure that all the information is entered in the correct field.
• Write the sender and receiver names, addresses & phone numbers.
• For each individual item within your parcel, add its weight^*, quantity and value, as well as the total parcel weight.
• For sending to a number of countries, you must provide at least the 6-digit tariff code for the item/s you are sending overseas. Ireland requires a 10-digit TARIC tariff code on items.
• Provide an accurate and complete Goods Description.

^* Individual item weight can be an estimate

A service fee is included in the in-store price for sending parcels overseas to cover the electronic data capture cost, processing and administration fee. If you have a business account and you do not use a consignment note generated from an NZ Post electronic lodgement system, you will see the service fee separately on your invoice.

Please note: Customs declaration form (CN 22) coded as OS008A should be used when sending parcels overseas.

Sending International parcels using NZ Post online tools

No service fee will apply when sending International parcels and documents using our online tools such as Print Postage Online, eShip and labelling APIs. Sender, receiver and parcel content information will be sent electronically to the overseas postal service or organisation upon the completion of the transaction.

Sender, Receiver and Parcel Contents: EAD Requirements and Examples

When completing manual consignment notes or creating shipping labels via any NZ Post electronic lodgement tool, there are a few mandatory requirements to give your item the best chance to get to get your item to its destination safely.

The following tables highlight these requirements and some of the everyday errors that may affect the delivery of your item:

* A “Gift” is defined as (a) is sent to a private person by or on behalf of another private person resident abroad; (b) is occasional; and; (c) consists only of goods for personal use by the addressee or his family, and that the nature and quantity of the goods imported are such that the consignment is not of a commercial nature.