Effective April 20, 2023, the Postal Service™ is revising the Individual Country Listing (ICL) for various countries in Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, International Mail Manual (IMM®) to add text requiring that the customs declaration form include a Harmonized System (HS) code that corresponds to the detailed description for any good mailed to 27 European Union (EU) countries, and to Norway and Switzerland.
This addition reflects changes in European customs regulations that took effect on March 1, 2023, as outlined in Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2021/234 of December 7, 2020, and associated Universal Postal Union (UPU) International Bureau Circulars.
The new customs regulations include an expanded “Item Attribute” (ITMATT) data set for all items containing goods destined to the 29 participating countries. Many of these data elements are already mandatory as indicated in IMM 123.711a and supported by the EU’s Import Control System 2 (ICS2). The ICS2 is used by European customs authorities, postal operators, and international transportation networks designed to support the communication of advance electronic data for safety and security risk analysis before the entry of goods into these 29 countries.
With an exception for noncommercial shipments, the new European customs regulations use the 6-digit HS code for all items containing goods. At this time, the mandatory ITMATT data set, as established by the UPU, does not include a “party type” field that would clarify for European customs authorities when the exception would apply. Therefore, the 6-digit HS code is required for all items containing goods destined to the 29 countries participating in ICS2. Additional country-specific data elements will be added to the IMM’s Individual Country Listings, as needed. Those data elements include the following:
a. Country of origin, recommended to expedite customs clearance.
b. Economic Operator Registration Identification (EORI), if such a number has been assigned.
c. The sender’s and/or the addressee’s telephone number and email address, if available.
The ICL revisions apply to the following destination countries:
1. Austria.
2. Belgium.
3. Bulgaria.
4. Croatia.
5. Cyprus.
6. Czech Republic.
7. Denmark.
8. Estonia.
9. Finland.
10. France.
11. Germany.
12. Greece.
13. Hungary.
14. Ireland.
15. Italy.
16. Latvia.
17. Lithuania.
18. Luxembourg.
19. Malta.
20. Netherlands.
21. Norway.
22. Poland.
23. Portugal.
24. Romania.
25. Slovak Republic
(Slovakia).
26. Slovenia.
27. Spain.
28. Sweden.
29. Switzerland.
The mailer remains solely responsible for the accuracy and completeness of all customs information related to the mail, including the accuracy of HS codes and any other codes that correspond to the detailed descriptions of goods. The Postal Service is not liable for any of the following:
a. Any incorrect or insufficient HS code or other code classifications.
b. Any other incorrect or incomplete information for customs declarations in whatever form such information is made.
c. Any decision taken by any domestic or foreign customs authority.
Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, International Mail Manual (IMM)
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Individual Country Listings
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Austria
Country Conditions for Mailing
[Before “Prohibitions,” add a paragraph in bold to read as follows:]
All items containing goods must include the corresponding 6-digit harmonized system code for each article listed on the customs declaration form. For more information, see 573 and the Observations section below.
* * * * *
Observations
* * * * *
[Add a new entry to read as follows:]
5. Austria requests that, for all items containing goods, the customs declaration form include the following information, if available:
n Country of origin for each article in the item.
n Economic Operator Registration Identification (EORI), if such a number has been assigned.
* * * * *
Belgium
Country Conditions for Mailing
[Before “Prohibitions,” add a paragraph in bold to read as follows:]
All items containing goods must include the corresponding 6-digit harmonized system code for each article listed on the customs declaration form. For more information, see 573 and the Observations section below.
* * * * *
Observations
* * * * *
[Add a new entry to read as follows:]
6. Belgium requests that, for all items containing goods, the customs declaration form include the following information, if available:
n Country of origin for each article in the item.
n Economic Operator Registration Identification (EORI), if such a number has been assigned .
n Telephone number (preferably mobile) and email address for the addressee.
* * * * *
Bulgaria
Country Conditions for Mailing
[Before “Prohibitions,” add a paragraph in bold to read as follows:]
All items containing goods must include the corresponding 6-digit harmonized system code for each article listed on the customs declaration form. For more information, see 573 and the Observations section below.
* * * * *
Observations
* * * * *
[Add a new entry to read as follows:]
3. Bulgaria requests that, for all items containing goods, the customs declaration form include the following information, if available:
n Country of origin for each article in the item.
n Economic Operator Registration Identification (EORI), if such a number has been assigned.
n Telephone number (preferably mobile) and email address for the addressee.
* * * * *
Croatia
Country Conditions for Mailing
[Before “Prohibitions,” add a paragraph in bold to read as follows:]
All items containing goods must include the corresponding 6-digit harmonized system code for each article listed on the customs declaration form. For more information, see 573 and the Observations section below.
* * * * *
Observations
* * * * *
[Add a new entry to read as follows (adding “1” before the first entry):]
2. Croatia requests that, for all items containing goods, the customs declaration form include the following information, if available:
n Country of origin for each article in the item.
n Economic Operator Registration Identification (EORI), if such a number has been assigned.
n Telephone number and email address for the addressee.
* * * * *
Cyprus
Country Conditions for Mailing
[Before “Prohibitions,” add a paragraph in bold to read as follows:]
All items containing goods must include the corresponding 6-digit harmonized system code for each article listed on the customs declaration form. For more information, see 573 and the Observations section below.
* * * * *
Observations
* * * * *
[Add a new entry to read as follows:]
3. Cyprus requests that, for all items containing goods, the customs declaration form include the following information, if available:
n Country of origin for each article in the item.
n Economic Operator Registration Identification (EORI), if such a number has been assigned.
n Telephone number (preferably mobile) and email address for the addressee.
* * * * *
Czech Republic
Country Conditions for Mailing
[Before “Prohibitions,” add a paragraph in bold to read as follows:]
All items containing goods must include the corresponding 6-digit harmonized system code for each article listed on the customs declaration form. For more information, see 573 and the Observations section below.
* * * * *
Observations
* * * * *
[Add a new entry to read as follows:]
5. The Czech Republic requests that, for all items containing goods, the customs declaration form include the following information, if available:
n Country of origin for each article in the item.
n Economic Operator Registration Identification (EORI), if such a number has been assigned.
n Telephone number and email address for both the sender and the addressee.
* * * * *
Denmark
Country Conditions for Mailing
[Before “Prohibitions,” add a paragraph in bold to read as follows:]
All items containing goods must include the corresponding 6-digit harmonized system code for each article listed on the customs declaration form. For more information, see 573 and the Observations section below.
* * * * *
Observations
* * * * *
[Add a new entry to read as follows:]
4. Denmark requests that, for all items containing goods, the customs declaration form include the following information, if available:
n Country of origin for each article in the item.
n Economic Operator Registration Identification (EORI), if such a number has been assigned.
* * * * *
Estonia
Country Conditions for Mailing
[Before “Prohibitions,” add a paragraph in bold to read as follows:]
All items containing goods must include the corresponding 6-digit harmonized system code for each article listed on the customs declaration form. For more information, see 573 and the Observations section below.
* * * * *
Observations
* * * * *
[Add a new entry to read as follows:]
3. Estonia requests that, for all items containing goods, the customs declaration form include the following information, if available:
n Country of origin for each article in the item.
n Economic Operator Registration Identification (EORI), if such a number has been assigned.
n Telephone number (preferably mobile) and email address for the addressee.
* * * * *
Finland
Country Conditions for Mailing
[Before “Prohibitions,” add a paragraph in bold to read as follows:]
All items containing goods must include the corresponding 6-digit harmonized system code for each article listed on the customs declaration form. For more information, see 573 and the Observations section below.
* * * * *
Observations
* * * * *
[Add a new entry to read as follows:]
6. Finland requests that, for all items containing goods, the customs declaration form include the following information, if available:
n Country of origin for each article in the item.
n Economic Operator Registration Identification (EORI), if such a number has been assigned.
* * * * *
France
Country Conditions for Mailing
[Before “Prohibitions,” add a paragraph in bold to read as follows:]
All items containing goods must include the corresponding 6-digit harmonized system code for each article listed on the customs declaration form. For more information, see 573 and the Observations section below.
* * * * *
Observations
* * * * *
[Add a new entry to read as follows:]
9. France requests that, for all items containing goods, the customs declaration form include the following information, if available:
n Country of origin for each article in the item.
n Economic Operator Registration Identification (EORI), if such a number has been assigned.
* * * * *
Germany
Country Conditions for Mailing
[Before “Prohibitions,” add a paragraph in bold to read as follows:]
All items containing goods must include the corresponding 6-digit harmonized system code for each article listed on the customs declaration form. For more information, see 573 and the Observations section below.
* * * * *
Observations
* * * * *
[Add a new entry to read as follows:]
9. Germany requests that, for all items containing goods, the customs declaration form include the following information, if available:
n Country of origin for each article in the item.
n Economic Operator Registration Identification (EORI), if such a number has been assigned.
* * * * *
Greece
Country Conditions for Mailing
[Before “Prohibitions,” add a paragraph in bold to read as follows:]
All items containing goods must include the corresponding 6-digit harmonized system code for each article listed on the customs declaration form. For more information, see 573 and the Observations section below.
* * * * *
Observations
* * * * *
[Add a new entry to read as follows:]
6. Greece requests that, for all items containing goods, the customs declaration form include the following information, if available:
n Country of origin for each article in the item.
n Economic Operator Registration Identification (EORI), if such a number has been assigned.
* * * * *
Hungary
Country Conditions for Mailing
[Before “Prohibitions,” add a paragraph in bold to read as follows:]
All items containing goods must include the corresponding 6-digit harmonized system code for each article listed on the customs declaration form. For more information, see 573 and the Observations section below.
* * * * *
Observations
* * * * *
[Add a new entry to read as follows:]
5. Hungary requests that, for all items containing goods, the customs declaration form include the following information, if available:
n Country of origin for each article in the item.
n Economic Operator Registration Identification (EORI), if such a number has been assigned.
n Telephone number and email address for both the sender and the addressee.
* * * * *
Ireland
Country Conditions for Mailing
[Before “Prohibitions,” add a paragraph in bold to read as follows:]
All items containing goods must, at minimum, include the corresponding 6-digit harmonized system code for each article listed on the customs declaration form. For more information, see 573 and the Observations section below.
* * * * *
Observations
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[Add 2 new entries to read as follows:]
8. A harmonized code (i.e., a code for the Integrated Tariff of the European Communities, also known as a “TARIC code”) is required for all goods destined to Ireland. The Irish customs authority has a tiered classification system. Some items require a 10-digit TARIC code while other items may be described using the 8-digit or 6-digit TARIC code. Items that require a 10-digit TARIC code may be returned by Irish customs, at the mailer’s expense, if the mailer provides only the first six or eight digits. Therefore, USPS recommends that mailers provide the 10-digit TARIC code for all goods destined to Ireland. More information can be found at anpost.com/Commerce/SME/InternationalSending/Find-a-TARIC-Commodity-code.
9. Ireland requests that, for all items containing goods, the customs declaration form include the following information, if available:
n Country of origin for each article in the item.
n Economic Operator Registration Identification (EORI), if such a number has been assigned.
* * * * *
Italy
Country Conditions for Mailing
[Before “Prohibitions,” add a paragraph in bold to read as follows:]
All items containing goods must include the corresponding 6-digit harmonized system code for each article listed on the customs declaration form. For more information, see 573 and the Observations section below.
* * * * *
Observations
* * * * *
[Add a new entry to read as follows:]
7. Italy requests that, for all items containing goods, the customs declaration form include the following information, if available:
n Country of origin for each article in the item.
n Economic Operator Registration Identification (EORI), if such a number has been assigned.
* * * * *
Latvia
Country Conditions for Mailing
[Before “Prohibitions,” add a paragraph in bold to read as follows:]
All items containing goods must include the corresponding 6-digit harmonized system code for each article listed on the customs declaration form. For more information, see 573 and the Observations section below.
* * * * *
Observations
* * * * *
[Add a new entry to read as follows:]
3. Latvia requests that, for all items containing goods, the customs declaration form include the following information, if available:
n Country of origin for each article in the item.
n Economic Operator Registration Identification (EORI), if such a number has been assigned.
n Telephone number (preferably mobile) and email address for the addressee.
* * * * *
Lithuania
Country Conditions for Mailing
[Before “Prohibitions,” add a paragraph in bold to read as follows:]
All items containing goods must include the corresponding 6-digit harmonized system code for each article listed on the customs declaration form. For more information, see 573 and the Observations section below.
* * * * *
Observations
* * * * *
[Add a new entry to read as follows (adding “1” before the first entry):]
2. Lithuania requests that, for all items containing goods, the customs declaration form include the following information, if available:
n Country of origin for each article in the item.
n Economic Operator Registration Identification (EORI), if such a number has been assigned.
n Telephone number and email address for the addressee.
* * * * *
Luxembourg
Country Conditions for Mailing
[Before “Prohibitions,” add a paragraph in bold to read as follows:]
All items containing goods must include the corresponding 6-digit harmonized system code for each article listed on the customs declaration form. For more information, see 573 and the Observations section below.
* * * * *
Observations
* * * * *
[Add a new entry to read as follows:]
4. Luxembourg requests that, for all items containing goods, the customs declaration form include the following information, if available:
n Country of origin for each article in the item.
n Economic Operator Registration Identification (EORI), if such a number has been assigned.
* * * * *
Malta
Country Conditions for Mailing
[Before “Prohibitions,” add a paragraph in bold to read as follows:]
All items containing goods must include the corresponding 6-digit harmonized system code for each article listed on the customs declaration form. For more information, see 573 and the Observations section below.
* * * * *
Observations
* * * * *
[Add a new entry to read as follows:]
5. Malta requests that, for all items containing goods, the customs declaration form include the following information, if available:
n Country of origin for each article in the item.
n Economic Operator Registration Identification (EORI), if such a number has been assigned.
* * * * *
Netherlands
Country Conditions for Mailing
[Before “Prohibitions,” add a paragraph in bold to read as follows:]
All items containing goods must include the corresponding 6-digit harmonized system code for each article listed on the customs declaration form. For more information, see 573 and the Observations section below.
* * * * *
Observations
* * * * *
[Add a new entry to read as follows:]
4. Netherlands requests that, for all items containing goods, the customs declaration form include the following information, if available:
n Country of origin for each article in the item.
n Economic Operator Registration Identification (EORI), if such a number has been assigned.
* * * * *
Norway
Country Conditions for Mailing
[Before “Prohibitions,” add a paragraph in bold to read as follows:]
All items containing goods must include the corresponding 6-digit harmonized system code for each article listed on the customs declaration form. For more information, see 573 and the Observations section below.
* * * * *
Observations
* * * * *
[Add a new entry to read as follows:]
4. Norway requests that, for all items containing goods, the customs declaration form include the following information, if available:
n Country of origin for each article in the item.
n Economic Operator Registration Identification (EORI), if such a number has been assigned.
n Telephone number (preferably mobile) and email address for both the sender and the addressee.
* * * * *
Poland
Country Conditions for Mailing
[Before “Prohibitions,” add a paragraph in bold to read as follows:]
All items containing goods must include the corresponding 6-digit harmonized system code for each article listed on the customs declaration form. For more information, see 573 and the Observations section below.
* * * * *
Observations
* * * * *
[Add a new entry to read as follows:]
3. Poland requests that, for all items containing goods, the customs declaration form include the following information, if available:
n Country of origin for each article in the item.
n Economic Operator Registration Identification (EORI), if such a number has been assigned.
n Telephone number and email address for the addressee.
* * * * *
Portugal
Country Conditions for Mailing
[Before “Prohibitions,” add a paragraph in bold to read as follows:]
All items containing goods must include the corresponding 6-digit harmonized system code for each article listed on the customs declaration form. For more information, see 573 and the Observations section below.
* * * * *
Observations
* * * * *
[Add a new entry to read as follows:]
4. Portugal requests that, for all items containing goods, the customs declaration form include the following information, if available:
n Country of origin for each article in the item.
n Economic Operator Registration Identification (EORI), if such a number has been assigned.
* * * * *
Romania
Country Conditions for Mailing
[Before “Prohibitions,” add a paragraph in bold to read as follows:]
All items containing goods must include the corresponding 6-digit harmonized system code for each article listed on the customs declaration form. For more information, see 573 and the Observations section below.
* * * * *
Observations
* * * * *
[Add a new entry to read as follows (adding “1” before the first entry):]
2. Romania requests that, for all items containing goods, the customs declaration form include the following information, if available:
n Country of origin for each article in the item.
n Economic Operator Registration Identification (EORI), if such a number has been assigned.
n Telephone number and email address for the addressee.
* * * * *
Slovak Republic (Slovakia)
Country Conditions for Mailing
[Before “Prohibitions,” add a paragraph in bold to read as follows:]
All items containing goods must include the corresponding 6-digit harmonized system code for each article listed on the customs declaration form. For more information, see 573 and the Observations section below.
* * * * *
Observations
* * * * *
[Add a new entry to read as follows:]
6. Slovakia requests that, for all items containing goods, the customs declaration form include the following information, if available:
n Country of origin for each article in the item.
n Economic Operator Registration Identification (EORI), if such a number has been assigned.
* * * * *
Slovenia
Country Conditions for Mailing
[Before “Prohibitions,” add a paragraph in bold to read as follows:]
All items containing goods must include the corresponding 6-digit harmonized system code for each article listed on the customs declaration form. For more information, see 573 and the Observations section below.
* * * * *
Observations
* * * * *
[Add a new entry to read as follows (adding “1” before the first entry):]
2. Slovenia requests that, for all items containing goods, the customs declaration form include the following information, if available:
n Country of origin for each article in the item.
n Economic Operator Registration Identification (EORI), if such a number has been assigned.
n Telephone number (preferably mobile) and email address for the addressee.
* * * * *
Spain
Country Conditions for Mailing
[Before “Prohibitions,” add a paragraph in bold to read as follows:]
All items containing goods must include the corresponding 6-digit harmonized system code for each article listed on the customs declaration form. For more information, see 573 and the Observations section below.
* * * * *
Observations
* * * * *
[Add a new entry to read as follows:]
5. Spain requests that, for all items containing goods, the customs declaration form include the following information, if available:
n Country of origin for each article in the item.
n Economic Operator Registration Identification (EORI), if such a number has been assigned.
* * * * *
Sweden
Country Conditions for Mailing
[Before “Prohibitions,” add a paragraph in bold to read as follows:]
All items containing goods must include the corresponding 6-digit harmonized system code for each article listed on the customs declaration form. For more information, see 573 and the Observations section below.
* * * * *
Observations
* * * * *
[Add a new entry to read as follows:]
5. Sweden requests that, for all items containing goods, the customs declaration form include the following information, if available:
n Country of origin for each article in the item.
n Economic Operator Registration Identification (EORI), if such a number has been assigned.
* * * * *
Switzerland
Country Conditions for Mailing
[Before “Prohibitions,” add a paragraph in bold to read as follows:]
All items containing goods must include the corresponding 6-digit harmonized system code for each article listed on the customs declaration form. For more information, see 573 and the Observations section below.
* * * * *
Observations
* * * * *
[Add a new entry to read as follows:]
5. Switzerland requests that, for all items containing goods, the customs declaration form include the following information, if available:
n Country of origin for each article in the item.
n Economic Operator Registration Identification (EORI), if such a number has been assigned.
* * * * *
Although effective April 20, 2023, the Postal Service will incorporate these revisions into the next edition of the online IMM, which is available via Postal Explorer® at pe.usps.com.
— Product Classification,
Product Solutions, 4-20-23
