About customs

The Post is a very popular method for sending written messages and small quantities of goods internationally. As the carrier, Posts have an obligation to submit to their respective customs authorities all mail items containing goods which are travelling or have travelled internationally.

WCO–UPU cooperation

Annex J 2 of the World Customs Organization (WCO) Revised Kyoto Convention provides for specific customs procedures in respect of postal items. This is to ensure that postal items accompanied by CN 22 and CN 23 customs declarations are cleared through customs without delay.

The WCO–UPU Contact Committee meets to discuss issues of mutual interest.

In the capacity-building area, the UPU and WCO organize a joint customs workshop each year for the customs and postal officials of developing countries.

Publications

The UPU and WCO have developed the joint WCO–UPU Customs Matters Guide to International Postal Shipments, with useful information on importing and exporting through mail. The UPU is developing an electronic list of prohibited and restricted articles called the Postal Export Guide, with the aim of reducing the numbers of prohibited items sent through the post.

New initiatives

The UPU is supporting the automation of postal customs operations by encouraging greater use of EDI message, an electronic pre-advice message between designated operators and from designated operators to Customs.

UPU groups are developing security standards in line with the principles of the WCO Safe Framework of Standards. The UPU Customs Group is exploring ways of supporting customs' measures against counterfeit and pirated items sent through the postal network and raising designated operators' awareness of the issue.