Starting November 1, 2026, new European Union (EU) customs regulations will enforce mandatory Product Identifier (PID) requirements for all business-to-consumer (B2C) imports. Merchants shipping directly to EU consumers must ensure compliance with national Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) packaging regulations. Please review the critical details below to prepare your inventory systems and customs data.
1. Mandatory Product Identifiers (PIDs) Effective Nov 1, 2026
To ensure seamless EU customs clearance, small package carriers must collect and submit three distinct PIDs per item prior to transport:
- Merchant Product ID (Mandatory): The seller or platform's unique SKU/listing identifier.
- Manufacturer Product ID (Mandatory): The producer or brand owner’s internal model or part number. This must be the manufacturer’s own number and not a copy of the Merchant PID.
- Standardized Product ID (Mandatory if it exists): Globally recognized identifiers such as GTIN, EAN, or UPC.
For more information on PIDs and EU customs changes, please visit HERE
2. EU Packaging Compliance: Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)
Please note that under the new EU packaging regulations, merchants shipping B2C orders directly to EU customers may be subject to Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) requirements in each Member State where they sell and ship.
Merchants are responsible for ensuring they are properly registered, compliant, and paying any applicable EPR/recycling fees in each country.
Required Action Items for Merchants
- Update Inventory Data: Populate all three PID fields across your inventory, catalog, and shipping management systems.
- Verify EPR Compliance: Confirm proper registration and fee compliance across all EU destination Member States where you sell directly.
- Review Customs Resources: Visit our dedicated page on UPS.com or contact Customer Support for additional guidance.
Thank you for your partnership in keeping your cross-border shipments moving smoothly through customs.