What is an HS code and do I have to fill it in myself?

An HS code is the worldwide goods number customs use to see what is in your parcel: six digits for, say, shoes, a laptop or a perfume. Every country attaches its import duty to that code. You do not have to know it by heart: when announcing a parcel you type in one word what is inside and we suggest the code; you can accept or change it. Without a code we cannot make a customs declaration, so a shipment outside the EU waits until there is one. A wrong code is worse than a missing one: you may pay the wrong rate or customs may hold the parcel. If in doubt, ask us before you ship; we are happy to check.