From 1 November 2026, EU customs will need three product identifier codes, or PIDs, for every product on imports into the EU worth €150 or less. Here's who it applies to, what the codes are, and how to add them to your shipments.

What are PID codes?

PID codes give EU customs more detail about each product coming into the EU. Every product needs three of them: your SKU, the manufacturer's model number, and the barcode number. Without them, a shipment can be held at customs, can't enter the EU, and may be returned to you.

Does it apply to you?

You'll need PID codes when all of these are true:

• You're sending goods into the EU from outside it. Shipments between EU countries don't need them.
• The goods are worth €150 or less. This is the total value of the goods in the shipment. Shipping and insurance costs don't count.
• The consignee isn't a VAT-registered business. If they're VAT-registered in the destination country, give us their VAT number and the codes aren't needed. Without a VAT number, customs treats the consignee as a consumer.

Samples, gifts, repairs and replacements aren't sales, so they don't need PID codes.

The three codes

A product sold in different sizes or colours needs codes for each version. Codes for a batch or a single item can't be used.

Special cases

Reselling, or selling on a marketplace

If you resell a product, you can use the manufacturer's model number as your SKU, as long as you have their permission. If you sell on a marketplace, use the marketplace's own code for the product as its SKU (M-PID).

Food, art, antiques and some handmade goods

For goods under certain HS codes, you can type the words M-PID and NS-PID instead of real codes: chapters 1 to 15, 9701 to 9706, and some handmade wood, basketwork, paper, carpets, lace and glass. The HS code decides, not who made the product, so an artist selling their own painting qualifies.

Second-hand and personalised goods

These still need codes. Use the codes of the original product.

Adding the codes in the portal

Give us the consignee's VAT number

If you're sending to a VAT-registered business, enter its VAT number in the Delivery Address. You won't be asked for PID codes.

Add the codes in Commodities

When the codes are needed, a message in Commodities tells you, and a Product codes section appears under your products. Enter the SKU (M-PID), Manufacturer's model number (NS-PID) and Barcode number (S-PID) for each one.

Reuse your codes

We save the codes with your products. Next time, pick the product from Add From Previously Used and its codes come with it.

On your commercial invoice

The codes print on the commercial invoice we create for the shipment, each in its own column, so customs gets them without any extra paperwork from you.

Questions?

This article reflects the EU rules as published up to 10 October 2026, and we'll update it if they change. If you have any questions, just reach out to us.

Sources: European Commission customs guidance · FedEx EU PID guide