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International shipping pre-dispatch checklist

Ten final checks for UK retailers sending commercial parcels overseas, covering product data, customs documents, charges and delivery arrangements.

By Scott GillettPublished 8 Sep 2026Last reviewed 8 Sep 2026Updated 10 Sep 2026: explanation links added

Use this as a final sense-check for a commercial parcel, alongside your destination guidance and carrier’s instructions. Not every check applies to every order; this is not a customs form or proof of compliance. Northern Ireland movements and specialist goods can follow different processes.

An open parcel with a folded shirt, a parcel scale, measuring tape and paperwork on a packing desk.
The goods and the paperwork should tell the same story. Check the actual items against the information you send with them.

Tick as you go. Ticks are not sent to us or saved after you leave. To keep a copy, choose “Save as PDF” in your device’s print options.

Ten things to check before dispatch

Check the delivery address and that the carrier accepts the goods on the chosen route. Confirm any import restrictions or licences before booking.

Name each product clearly, including its material and purpose where useful. For example, ‘men’s cotton T-shirt’ tells customs more than ‘clothing’. Only use details that match the actual item.

Check the UK export code and the destination’s import classification. HS provides a shared six-digit starting point; countries add their own detail. Do not copy a supplier’s full code into every country’s paperwork.

Confirm where each product originates, supported by supplier or manufacturing information. Dispatching from the UK does not itself establish UK origin.

Check item values, quantities, currency, discounts and relevant freight or insurance costs. Ask the declarant how to value samples, returns or replacements; do not assume zero.

Confirm the importer, customs representative, agreed delivery terms and who pays duty, tax and clearance fees. Make the customer-facing charges clear.

Check that the invoice and carrier data agree. Supply the declaration, licences, certificates, tax references or origin evidence required for this particular shipment.

Check applicable safety, labelling, packaging and product-data requirements. Customs clearance arrangements do not replace product compliance.

Check that every product line, quantity, weight and required reference reaches the carrier or broker. Confirm the shipment reason separately from the product description.

Keep the invoice, declaration details, supporting evidence and dispatch reference accessible. Check the retention requirements that apply to your business.

Something missing? Resolve it with the carrier, importer or customs representative before dispatch. Never guess a code, origin, value or certificate reference.

Keep these references handy

General guidance, not professional advice. Verify current official requirements.
theinternationaldesk.co.uk/shipping-essentials/pre-dispatch-checklist