EU customs changes on 1 November 2026: is your product data ready?
Product Identifiers become mandatory customs data for qualifying distance sales of imported goods. Sellers should map M-PID, NS-PID and any existing standardised identifier through to their customs declarant.
- Who this affects
- UK businesses making qualifying distance sales of imported goods into the EU.
- What you should do
- Map merchant and manufacturer product identifiers through your sales, warehouse, carrier and customs data before 1 November 2026.
- Current status
- 1 November 2026
- Last checked
- 17 Aug 2026
- Official source
- Open the primary source ↗
The simple explanation
From 1 November 2026, Product Identifiers—PIDs—must be included in customs data for qualifying distance sales of imported goods. A tracking number identifies the parcel; a Product Identifier identifies the item inside it.
For each item, the customs data must include a merchant identifier and a non-standardised manufacturer identifier. A standardised manufacturer identifier must also be supplied where one exists; otherwise the declarant uses the appropriate absence code.
The three identifiers
1. Merchant Product Identifier (M-PID) — C127
This is the product reference assigned by the online seller, website, marketplace or platform. A SKU may be suitable only where it identifies the exact product or variant sold. A blue medium T-shirt, for example, should not share an identifier with a red or differently sized version. This identifier is mandatory.
2. Non-standardised Manufacturer Product Identifier (NS-PID) — C128
This is an internal product reference assigned by the manufacturer, producer or product supplier. It does not need to follow an international numbering standard. Where none exists, the Commission guidance says the manufacturer, producer or supplier should assign one; no set format is prescribed, but it should remain consistent and identify the correct product. This identifier is mandatory.
3. Standardised Manufacturer Product Identifier (S-PID) — C129
This is an internationally recognised identifier, such as an EAN, GTIN or ISBN. It must be provided where one already exists. A business does not need to purchase or invent one solely for this customs requirement; where no S-PID exists, the customs declarant uses code Y081.
A simple example
For a navy sweatshirt in size medium sold from the UK to a customer in France, the data might include:
- M-PID: SW-NAVY-M—the seller’s exact product reference.
- NS-PID: F4482-NV-M—the factory or supplier’s internal reference.
- S-PID: the genuine EAN or GTIN printed on the product, if one exists; otherwise Y081 is used by the declarant.
Who it affects
The requirement applies where goods are sold online while still outside the EU and are then sent to the EU customer. This includes sales through a retailer’s own website, online marketplaces, social-commerce platforms and other qualifying distance-selling channels.
It is not restricted to IOSS shipments or only to parcels valued at €150 or less. The legal data requirements cover qualifying distance sales declared through the relevant H1, H6 and H7 customs datasets. Ordinary B2B imports are not the target of this specific rule, and orders fulfilled from goods already released into free circulation in the EU follow a different process.
Who provides the information?
- The seller, marketplace or platform assigns and supplies the M-PID.
- The manufacturer, producer or supplier supplies the NS-PID and any S-PID.
- The customs declarant—such as a carrier, postal operator or customs agent—transmits the identifiers to customs.
A logistics provider cannot reliably create catalogue and supply-chain identifiers on the seller’s behalf. The data must reach it in the format its systems require.
What e-commerce businesses should do now
- Review the complete catalogue. Include every size, colour, model and variation sold into the EU.
- Create the required fields. Store M-PID, NS-PID, any existing S-PID and confirmation where no S-PID exists.
- Speak to manufacturers and suppliers. Request both their internal reference and any recognised EAN, GTIN, ISBN or other standardised identifier.
- Check the full technology chain. Make sure the data survives the journey through the website or marketplace, order and warehouse systems, shipping platform, carrier interface and customs declaration.
- Ask the logistics provider. Confirm field names, accepted formats, test dates, item-level support and how C127, C128, C129 and Y081 will be declared.
- Test real orders. Follow several products, countries and sales channels from the catalogue to the carrier. Voluntary submission has been available since 1 July 2026.
- Update the new-product process. Do not offer a new product to EU customers until its required identifiers are recorded.
PIDs do not replace existing customs information
Businesses still need a clear product description, the correct commodity or HS code, country of origin, product value, quantity, weight and relevant tax information. Product Identifiers support that information; they do not replace it.
What happens from 1 November?
Mandatory application starts on 1 November 2026. If required data is missing or incorrect, the declarant may be unable to submit a compliant declaration, creating a risk of rejection, customs queries or delivery delays.