New product-identifier codes for non-EU e-commerce from 1 November

From 1 November 2026, an import declaration for distance-sale goods — e-commerce goods sent from countries outside the EU to private persons in the EUToldst — must carry product identifiers (PID'er)Toldst. The requirements apply to all goods regardless of valueToldst and are aimed at forwarders filing in DMS ImportToldst. The stated purpose is to give EU authorities a better way to identify and control goods from outside the EU, and to stop goods that do not meet EU requirements such as product safety.

A product identifier is a string of numbers and letters already used by many manufacturers, tied to a particular product model or batch, securing precise and unambiguous identification and traceability through every link of the supply chain. The manufacturer or the dealer is obliged to disclose the identifiers so the forwarder can complete the declaration correctly.

In practice the forwarder enters new certificate codes with the matching identifiers in DMS Import under “Supplerende dokumentation” (data element 12 03 002 000)Toldst. Entering the new codes and identifiers in DMS is already possible now.

Three identifier codes and one declaration cover the cases. C127 is the Merchant Product Identifier (M-PID): the unique product ID the webshop assigned to the item on its siteToldst — mandatoryToldst. C128 is the non-standardised manufacturer identifier (NS-PID): the internal item or article number the manufacturer assigned, for example for stock control, which follows no international standardToldst — mandatoryToldst. C129 is the standardised manufacturer identifier (S-PID): an internationally recognised barcode or identifier where one exists, for example an EAN number for retail goods or an ISBN number for booksToldst — entered only where an S-PID existsToldst. Where no standardised identifier exists, for example no EAN or ISBN, the forwarder enters Y081 instead of C129, declaring that no standardised S-PID exists for the product.

Identifiers are entered per individual item within a goods itemToldst: 10 T-shirts under one commodity code in 10 different colours each need their code and product identifier entered for that colour on the item concerned.