EU Product Identifiers Are Now Mandatory on Low-Value Imports: What Non-EU Stores Need to Check

Since November 1, 2026, product identifiers “must be declared to customs for goods sold in distance sales to buyers in the EU, notably consumers,” the European Commission said on November 3. The Commission says the requirement “is mandatory and is enforced” from that date.

The Commission’s guidance for Member States and trade (version of October 5, 2026) says the rule applies to “all goods sold in distance sales of imported goods with an intrinsic value not exceeding EUR 150.” Sellers could provide the identifiers voluntarily, without penalties, from July 1, 2026.

The guidance is explanatory and not legally binding, and the Commission says it is amending the legal text to make the €150 limit explicit.

What the EU Changed

The EU wants customs to know exactly what’s in each low-value parcel, not just a generic description. According to the Commission, identifiers let customs extend the result of one control to every similar product, “even when they are sold by other sellers or on other platforms.” It also says that in most cases the identifiers already exist in product listings, invoices or packaging.

The Commission calls this a first step: more comprehensive product data requirements will follow once the EU Customs Data Hub for e-commerce is deployed from July 2028. The rule sits alongside the temporary €3 customs duty on low-value imports.

The 3 Identifiers, Explained

• M-PID (code C127), always: the product reference set by the online seller, marketplace or platform, such as the reference number on the product page. Shopify says your product variant covers it.
• NS-PID (code C128), always: the manufacturer’s own model, part or style number. Shopify says you can also use your own product code or SKU.
• S-PID (code C129), where one exists: a standardized code such as an EAN, UPC or ISBN. If there’s none, the declaration uses exemption code Y081.

Sources: European Commission, Commission guidance and Shopify Changelog.

Who It Affects

Stores outside the EU that ship orders of €150 or less to EU consumers. B2B flows are in principle not covered, the Commission’s guidance says.

On Shopify, labels for EU-bound orders can’t be bought in Shopify Shipping or Managed Markets for items missing required identifiers, and Shopify warns that parcels missing this information “may be rejected at customs and incur return-to-origin fees” (Shopify Changelog). If you buy labels outside Shopify, Shopify says to contact your carrier, broker or fulfillment partner.

National customs may apply their own transition rules. Ireland’s Revenue, for example, says that until January 31, 2027 it will accept declarations that state a PID is not available (Revenue eCustoms Notification 23/2026). Check with your declarant for each country you ship to.

What to Test Next

• Export your catalog and find every variant missing a barcode or a manufacturer code.
• In Shopify, add identifiers with the bulk editor, or declare that no standardized barcode exists. Shopify says it applies HS-code exemptions automatically.
• Buy one test label for an EU address to confirm nothing blocks it, and ask your 3PL or carrier how they’re collecting the identifiers.
• Track EU orders that are delayed, returned or refunded since November 1, so you catch problems before reviews do.
• Check that your shipping page and checkout explain duties and delivery times for EU shoppers.

Shipping to EU shoppers? Get a free audit and we’ll review your international checkout and delivery messaging.