Starting November 1, 2026, the European Union will reject customs declarations for consumer imports that don't include product identifier (PID) data. If you or your customers ship goods directly to consumers in any of the 27 EU member states, here's what you need to know.
E-commerce parcels into Europe have grown fast. According to the European Commission, since 2022, the volume of small packages sent into the EU has doubled every year. At the same time, the Commission's product safety checks on items like toys, cosmetics, electronics and supplements found that well over half didn't meet EU standards.
Product identifiers solve a tracing problem. Once customs flags one unsafe product, a PID lets them instantly locate every other shipment carrying the same item. The requirement comes from Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/1022, which amends the Union Customs Code Delegated Act.
These are easy to confuse, but they do different jobs:
You'll need both.
Think of the three identifiers as answers to three questions about every item in the parcel.
1. Who is selling it?
This is the M-PID (merchant product identifier), declared under TARIC code C127. It's usually the seller's SKU or a marketplace listing ID, such as an Amazon ASIN. Mandatory.
2. Who made it?
This is the NS-PID (non-standardized manufacturer identifier), declared under C128. It's the manufacturer's own part or model number. Mandatory.
3. Does it carry a retail barcode?
This is the S-PID (standardized manufacturer identifier), declared under C129. It's a globally recognized code like a GTIN, EAN, UPC, ISBN or IMEI. Required whenever one exists. If the product has no barcode, you declare exception code Y081 instead.
All three belong in the supporting documents field of H1, H6 and H7 customs declarations.
A wireless speaker (has a barcode)
A handmade candle (no barcode)
This is the mistake most likely to cause holds. An empty S-PID field doesn't tell customs the product has no barcode. It tells them data is missing, and the declaration will likely be rejected.
Y081 should only be used when it's genuinely true. Each use is a formal statement to customs, and authorities can search for every declaration that relied on it.
The rule applies if:
The rule does not apply to:
Don't Let Peak Season Catch You Off Guard
The technical side of this change is straightforward. Adding three fields to a declaration takes little effort. What takes time is gathering the data, since manufacturer part numbers and barcodes sit in your suppliers' records, not yours. With November 1 only weeks away and peak season right behind it, the businesses that start collecting now will be the ones whose parcels keep moving.
Shipping to the EU and not sure where to start? The Inex team can help you review your international shipments and make sure nothing gets held at the border.
Contact us at info@inex.ca