Customs data for e-commerce: HS codes, origin, values, product IDs

The fields, and why each one matters

Field	What it is	Why customs needs it
Description	Plain words that say what the item is and what it's made of ("men's cotton T-shirt", not "top")	To check the classification and risk
HS code	6-digit international code, extended nationally (EU CN 8 / TARIC 10, UK 10, Switzerland 8)	Decides duty rate, restrictions and, in the EU since July 2026, how many €3 item lines a parcel has
Country of origin	Where the goods were made or last substantially transformed, not where they ship from	Duty rates, preferential treatment, trade measures
Value and currency	The price paid per item	Duty and VAT calculation; low-value thresholds
Quantity and weight	Units and net weight per line, gross weight per parcel	Checks, statistics, weight-based duties (e.g. Switzerland)
M-PID	Your merchant or platform product ID (usually the SKU)	EU low-value imports from 1 Nov 2026 (code C127)
NS-PID	The manufacturer's or supplier's own product ID	EU low-value imports from 1 Nov 2026 (code C128)
S-PID	Standard ID such as EAN/GTIN or ISBN, where one exists; otherwise code Y081. Sources differ on some code details, so confirm the exact codes with your broker.	EU low-value imports from 1 Nov 2026 (code C129)

On top of item data, each parcel needs sender and recipient details, an order or invoice number and, where it applies, your IOSS, UK VAT or VOEC number.

Getting HS codes right

Classify by what the product is and is made of, using the official tariff of the destination (TARIC for the EU, the UK trade tariff, the Swiss tariff).
Classify each SKU once, record the reasoning, and reuse the code everywhere.
For tricky or high-volume products, consider a Binding Tariff Information (BTI) decision for legal certainty in the EU.
Review codes when tariffs change (usually 1 January) and when you add new products.
Since July 2026 in the EU, different classifications in one low-value parcel mean separate €3 charges, so the classification must be accurate, not simplified.

Where the data breaks

Product master data: HS code and origin fields don't exist, or are filled with a default for the whole catalogue.
Shop platforms: customs fields exist but aren't mapped to the carrier connector.
Marketplaces and dropshipping: the seller's data never reaches the party making the declaration.
Bundles and kits: one SKU contains several products with different codes.
Manufacturer IDs: the NS-PID and EAN/GTIN are in the supplier's files but not in your system.
Currency and value: discounts, free items and shipping not handled consistently.

How to fix it, step by step

List the SKUs you sell across borders, starting with the top sellers.
Add the customs fields to your product master (PIM, ERP or shop), including manufacturer ID and EAN/GTIN.
Classify and fill in origin, with a reviewer for the top SKUs.
Map the fields through your OMS and carrier or platform integration; check them on real labels and declarations.
Add validation: no label without complete customs data for cross-border orders.
Set an owner and a review cycle.

Who this is for, and who it isn't

A good fit

Online stores with parcels held or mis-charged at customs
Non-EU sellers getting ready for the EU product-identifier rules
Consolidators and platforms that need clean data from merchants

Not a good fit

You need someone to classify thousands of SKUs for you
You need a binding legal classification opinion
You need a broker to file declarations

How I help

I define the data specification, map where it breaks in your systems and set up the fix with your team, broker and carrier, as part of the Cross-Border Customs & DDP Setup (from €2,950). If the integration needs building, the integration offer covers it.

Item-level customs data was at the heart of the DDP customs product I took live as an external consultant leading international product development at Hermes: SKU, HS code, origin and value per item, captured once at label request. Separately, I've built research data pipelines on EU, UK, US and Canadian tariff sources.

Questions

Can my carrier classify products for me?

Some carriers and platforms offer classification tools. You remain responsible for the declared data, so check the results, especially for your top sellers.

Is the EAN/GTIN mandatory?

For EU low-value imports from 1 November 2026, the standard identifier is required where one exists. If a product has none, the declaration uses code Y081 instead.

What's the difference between HS, CN and TARIC codes?

HS is the international 6-digit system. The EU extends it to 8 digits (CN) and 10 digits (TARIC) for its own tariff measures. Other countries add their own digits.

Does origin mean where we ship from?

No. It's where the goods were made, or last substantially transformed. A Chinese-made product shipped from Germany has Chinese origin.

Sources

European Commission, €3 customs duty per item and product identifiers: trade.ec.europa.eu
EU TARIC database: ec.europa.eu
European Commission, Binding Tariff Information: taxation-customs.ec.europa.eu
UK trade tariff: trade-tariff.service.gov.uk

This is operational guidance, not legal or tax advice. Customs filings and tax registrations are done by licensed brokers and advisers; I design and coordinate the process with them.

What item-level customs data does an online store need (HS codes, origin, values, product identifiers)?