The EU Product Identifier (PID) requirement takes effect on 1 November 2026. Every in-scope item needs up to three identifiers on the customs declaration. The M-PID is usually straightforward, since it’s your own SKU. The NS-PID and S-PID depend on data from the brand or manufacturer, and that’s where most catalogs have gaps. Here’s how to prioritize the work.
| ID | What it is | Required? | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| M-PID (Merchant Product Identifier) | Assigned by the online seller, marketplace or platform | Yes, always | Your SKU ID or listing ID |
| NS-PID (Non-Standardized Manufacturer Product Identifier) | Assigned by a manufacturer, producer or product supplier, with no international standard | Yes, always | Brand style, model or reference number |
| S-PID (Standardized Manufacturer Product Identifier) | Assigned by a manufacturer, producer or product supplier under an international standard | Only where one exists (otherwise declare Y081) | EAN, UPC, ISBN |
Under the European Commission’s latest guidance, PIDs apply to B2C distance sales in consignments valued at €150 or less. Orders above €150 are declared under the standard full customs process and are not covered by this requirement.
This is your own SKU ID for the item, and it must be included on every customs declaration.
This is the manufacturer’s own style, model or reference number. It’s usually on the supplier’s purchase order, commercial invoice, spec sheet or carton label. Under the guidance, manufacturers and suppliers are expected to pass this identifier along the supply chain, so if it isn’t already in your catalog, request it from your suppliers now. Some manufacturers use their S-PID as the NS-PID, which the guidance accepts but you must verify with the supplier first.
Where there isn’t one, a “no standardized identifier” code (Y081) is declared instead, so a missing barcode is not a blocker.
With the 1 November start date close, add the M-PID to your catalog first, then prioritize NS-PID capture for your highest-volume in-scope products.
Our EU product identifier setup guide covers the exact field names and formats for each option, as well as how to easily upload them to your store for compliant shipping now and beyond November 1st. As a compliance-ready Cross-Border Commerce OS, FlavorCloud builds new requirements like this into your shipping flow, so they don’t stall your international growth.