Product Identifiers: The November 1st changes for non-EU retailers
From November 1st, 2026, Product Identifiers are expected to become mandatory for B2C distance sales goods imported into the European Union. Particular focus has been placed on low-value e-commerce shipments following the EU customs reform. This introduces a new level of product-specific information that businesses will need to include within their customs data.
For non-EU e-commerce businesses, selling to consumers in the EU, preparing this information in advance will be important. Missing Product Identifier data may prevent customs authorities from clearing a shipment, potentially causing delays before an order reaches the customer.
But what exactly is a Product Identifier, which shipments are affected, and where can businesses find the information they need?
What are Product Identifiers?
Product Identifiers (PID) are codes that identify an individual product within a customs declaration.
While an HS code identifies the tariff category that a product belongs to, a PID identifies the specific product being shipped. For example, an HS code might identify an item as a type of electronic product, while its PIDs can identify the seller’s individual product listing, the manufacturer’s model and, where available, its recognised barcode.
The introduction of more detailed product information is intended to support:
- Better product traceability
- Consumer safety enforcement
- The detection of counterfeit goods
- Customs risk assessments
- Compliance verification
From November 1st, customs authorities will be able to understand not only the type of item entering the EU, but exactly which product it is.
When will PIDs become mandatory?
PID reporting was published on July 1st, 2026, to allow customers time to prepare their required product information ahead of November 1st.
From November 1st, 2026, PID reporting is expected to become mandatory. Where the required PID information is missing, customs authorities may refuse to clear the shipment.
Businesses are therefore advised to use the period before November 2026 to review their product catalogues, identify where the relevant codes are stored, and ensure the information can be included within their shipping and customs data.
Which shipments will be affected?
The new requirement is focused on distance sales of goods imported into the EU and sold directly to consumers. This includes:
- B2C distance sales imported into the EU
- E-commerce orders sold to EU consumers
- Low-value consignments, particularly customs reform flows connected to the €150 threshold
Traditional B2B imports between VAT-registered businesses are generally not included. Commercial imports handled through standard customs procedures are also generally outside the scope described in the current guidance.
Businesses that manage a mixture of B2B and B2C orders should therefore make sure that they can distinguish between these shipment types within their systems and data processes.
This mandatory rule will affect all retailers based outside of the European Union, including UK-based retailers, shipping to all EU destinations such as France, Germany and Spain. However, if you already hold stock in an EU member state, this rule does not apply to you. If you are an EU-based retailer shipping to another EU country, you will also not be affected by the November 1st changes.
Three types of PIDs
Merchant Product Identifiers
The M-PID is the unique code used by the seller or online platform to identify the product.
Typical examples include:
- A retailer’s SKU
- An article number
- An Amazon ASIN
The M-PID must be provided for every qualifying B2C import declaration into the EU.
Non-standardised Manufacturer Product Identifier (NS-PID)
The NS-PID is assigned by the manufacturer, producer or supplier and identifies the particular item within their own product range.
Examples can include:
- A manufacturer part number
- A model number
- A factory product code
Like the M-PID, the NS-PID must be provided for every qualifying B2C import declaration.
Standardised Product Identifier (S-PID)
The S-PID is an identifier created according to a recognised standard. Examples include:
- GTIN
- EAN
- UPC
- ISBN
The S-PID is mandatory when a recognised standard identifier is available for the product. If a product already has an EAN or GTIN barcode, for example, that code should be included in the customs data. If this information is not available for the product, then this is not classed as a mandatory field.
What information will businesses need to provide?
The PID requirement does not replace the customs information that businesses already provide. Instead, it adds more detailed product data to the declaration.
For each relevant item, businesses should be ready to supply:
- An accurate product description
- The correct HS code
- The country of origin
- The Merchant Product Identifier (M-PID)
- The Non-standardised Manufacturer Product Identifier (NS-PID)
- The Standardised Product Identifier, where one is available (S-PID)
- The quantity
- The value per item
- The total value
As Spring GDS currently requires: product description, HS code, country of origin, value, IOSS number, and the EORI number. The November 1st changes add additional details for shipping into the EU.
This information will need to be supplied at product level and be available when shipping labels are printed. If an order contains several different items, the appropriate data should therefore be available for each product line, instead of providing the details for the parcel as a whole.
Where can PID information be found?
Much of the required information may already exist within a business’s product catalogue, their warehouse management system, e-commerce platform or enterprise resource planning (ERP) system.
Merchant identifiers are commonly found within a retailer’s internal catalogue or online selling platform. For Manufacturer identifiers, these may appear within supplier records, product documentation or on the product packaging itself. And for the Standardised identifiers, such as EANs and GTINs, they are often printed underneath the product barcode.
However, businesses should not assume that every system holds the same information. A useful first step is to compare the product data held across your sales platforms, inventory systems and supplier records, as this can help identify any missing or inconsistent fields.
How can businesses prepare?
Before the requirement is expected to become mandatory on November 1st, 2026, businesses can undertake a few tasks to support the shift.
- Reviewing their product catalogue
Check whether each product has a merchant identifier and a manufacturer identifier. - Identifying standardised codes
Record recognised identifiers such as GTIN, EAN, UPC or ISBN wherever they are available. - Checking product-level customs data
Make sure descriptions, HS codes, countries of origin, quantities and values are complete and accurate. - Reviewing system capabilities
Confirm that e-commerce, warehouse and shipping systems can store and transfer the additional PID fields. - Testing the data flow
Checking the information before November can help businesses identify gaps before PID reporting becomes a mandatory part of customs clearance.
Turning new customs requirements into a smoother delivery experience
Mandatory Product Identifiers represent an important change in the level of information required for B2C shipments entering the EU. Although they introduce additional data requirements, preparing early can help businesses maintain compliant customs declarations and reduce the risk of avoidable clearance delays.
At Spring GDS, we understand that customs changes can add complexity to international e-commerce. With new changes on the horizon, we want to assist our customers by making the requirements clearer and helping them prepare their product data. We aim to simplify international delivery and deliver clarity throughout the changes. Please reach out to us or your account manager directly if you need assistance with the November 1st changes.
FAQs
What happens if the data is missing from 1 November?
From 1 November 2026, the required Product Identifier data must be included for applicable shipments. If mandatory PID information is missing, customs authorities may refuse to clear the shipment. This could lead to the shipment being delayed and the order not reaching the customer as planned.
Is a PID the same as an HS code?
No. An HS code classifies the type or tariff category of a product, while a PID identifies the specific product being shipped. The PID requirement does not replace the HS code. Both form part of the product-level customs information that must be provided.
Is a PID the same as a GTIN / EAN / barcode?
Not exactly. GTINs, EANs, UPCs and ISBNs are examples of a Standardised Product Identifier, or S-PID. However, the PID requirement also includes:
The Merchant Product Identifier, or M-PID, such as the seller’s SKU, article number or platform product code.
The Non-standardised Manufacturer Product Identifier, or NS-PID, such as a manufacturer part number, model number or factory product code.
Do I need an EAN if I sell products without a barcode, such as handmade, personalised or print-on-de
No, you do not need to create an EAN solely because of the PID requirement. A Standardised Product Identifier, such as an EAN or GTIN, must be provided only when one already exists for the product. If the product does not have a recognised standard identifier, the S-PID field is not mandatory.
You will still need to provide the mandatory Merchant PID and Non-standardised Manufacturer PID for each applicable product.
Can I use my SKU for everything?
No. Your SKU can normally be used as the Merchant Product Identifier, or M-PID, but it does not automatically replace the other identifier types.
You must also provide a Non-standardised Manufacturer PID, such as the manufacturer’s part number, model number or factory product code. If the product already has a recognised identifier such as an EAN or GTIN, this must also be provided as the S-PID.
I sell the same product on Amazon and on my own website: one PID or two?
The same physical product may have different Merchant Product Identifiers depending on the sales channel. For example, Amazon may identify it using an ASIN, while your own website may use your internal SKU or article number. You should provide the M-PID associated with the channel through which the product was sold.
The manufacturer identifiers should remain linked to the product itself. This means the NS-PID and, where available, the EAN or GTIN may remain the same, even when the M-PID differs between Amazon and your own website.