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Harmonized Tariff Codes and Customs Descriptions

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ShippingEasy Content Team

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Harmonized Codes are internationally recognized codes to classify an item for tax purposes. Harmonized Codes (also referred to as Tariff Codes, TARIC, Customs Tariffs, Harmonized Tariff Codes, and Harmonized System Codes) expedite the shipping process for international orders. Once an order reaches an international border, a country's customs office uses these codes to identify the goods and then assess taxes, duties, and fees for what you are shipping.

Most destination countries use the Harmonized Code system, while a few countries require the description instead. It is best practice to include both the Harmonized Code and a detailed description when shipping internationally. While it is not always required, using Harmonized Codes for your international shipments will:

  • Help your packages move through customs more quickly

  • Help to ensure correct taxation on your exported products

  • Help to minimize the chances of loss of your products

Locate Your Harmonized Codes

For a full list of Harmonization Codes, go to the  Harmonized Tariff Schedule page from the U.S. International Trade Commission.

If you don’t know your item’s Harmonized Code, ShippingEasy provides an easy lookup tool. Learn more about finding Harmonized Codes in Shipping Easy.

USPS and International Shipments HS Codes Required

As of September 1, 2025, the U.S. Postal Service will require all international commercial shipments to include a six-digit Harmonized System (HS) code on customs declarations for each item, regardless of mail class.

The HS code system, created by the World Customs Organization, is used by customs authorities worldwide to classify goods and assess tariffs. This update aligns USPS mailing standards with new Universal Postal Union (UPU) regulations, also taking effect Sept 1, that require all member countries to enforce six-digit HS codes for commercial goods.

European Union

The ShippingEasy process for shipping internationally to EU member countries is much the same as shipping any international package, however, there are some specific requirements for harmonization codes and customs descriptions to keep in mind.

Customs Description Requirements & Stop Words

Beginning February 2nd, 2026, the European Union will have enhanced customs description requirements. The new requirements will include a list of Stop words, which are generic descriptions that prevent customs authorities from clearly identifying the nature of the goods being imported. Using these words on their own increases the risk of delays and rejections under ICS2. They may only be used if incorporated into a clear and accurate product description.

Newly added stop words include:

  • Aid products

  • Comercial

  • Consumption

  • Ensemble

  • Fake

  • Item

  • Headwear

  • Promotional

  • Oddments

  • N/A

  • Miscellaneous

Tips for Clear Custom Descriptions

A good description is simple and specific. It should enable easy identification of the goods and accurate HS code classification. Avoid brand names, colors, serial numbers, or internal product codes. Descriptions that are too generic or overly technical are considered insufficient. Your customs description should answer the following questions:

  • What is the Product?

  • What are the Product's essential characteristics?

  • What is the Product made from?

  • How is it presented to customers?

Creating clear customs descriptions for your products will help ensure your shipments move smoothly through customs.

Harmonization Code Requirements for Shipping to the EU

As of March 1, 2023, the European Union has implemented these requirements for shipments entering member countries.

These changes are part of the EU's ICS2 reform and apply to all shipments, no matter which carrier you ship with. While ShippingEasy will not prevent you from creating your label without entering an HS Code or more detailed item descriptions, failure to comply with these requirements could result in delays to your shipment as well as fines or penalty fees.

For more details about this change, how it might affect your shipping, and for answers to a few frequently asked questions, please read our blog post.

Code Requirements:

EU De Minimis Changes

Effective July 1, 2026, the European Union removed the de minimis duty exemption for qualifying low-value imports. Previously, qualifying shipments valued at €150 or less could enter duty-free. As a result, qualifying business-to-consumer (B2C) shipments valued at €150 or less may now be subject to a €3 customs duty for each unique HS code included in the shipment.

To comply with these new customs requirements, qualifying shipments require a Movement Indicator in ShippingEasy .

Important Compliance & Exemption Notes

  • B2B Exemption: This duty, and the Product Identifiers requirement below, only apply to business-to-consumer (B2C) shipments, where the recipient is not VAT-registered in the destination country. Business-to-business (B2B) shipments (VAT-registered recipient) are not subject to either requirement.

  • Customs Risk: Providing complete and accurate PID data helps ensure smooth customs clearance. Missing or incomplete data may lead to processing delays, holds, or shipments being returned by customs authorities.

This requirement applies to shipments that:

  • Originate outside the European Union.

  • Are shipped to an EU member country.

  • Have a declared value of €150 or less.

Movement Indicator

API Code

Use for

B2B

b2b

Business-to-business shipments

B2C

b2c

Business-to-consumer shipments

C2B

c2b

Consumer-to-business shipments

C2C

c2c

Consumer-to-consumer shipments

Product Identifiers (PIDs)

Effective November 1, 2026, every product in a business-to-consumer (B2C) shipment to the EU, regardless of value, must carry three Product Identifiers (PIDs) for customs authorities to identify exactly what is being imported.

Important Compliance & Exemption Notes

  • B2B Exemption: This duty, and the Product Identifiers requirement below, only apply to business-to-consumer (B2C) shipments, where the recipient is not VAT-registered in the destination country. Business-to-business (B2B) shipments (VAT-registered recipient) are not subject to either requirement.

  • Customs Risk: Providing complete and accurate PID data helps ensure smooth customs clearance. Missing or incomplete data may lead to processing delays, holds, or shipments being returned by customs authorities.

Product Identifier (PID)

What it is

Product Details Field Name

M-PID (Merchant Product ID)

Your own internal product identifier, typically your SKU.

SKU

EZ_Customs-Info_PIDS_M-PID_MRK.png

NS-PID (Non-Standardised Manufacturer Product ID)

The manufacturer's own model or part number.

Does not follow an international standard. Contact your manufacturer or supplier and ask for the product's model number or part number. If they don't have one assigned yet, ask them to assign one.

Important: Check the Field Name

Be careful not to confuse Manufacturer Product Identification Code with the nearby Manufacturer Identification (MID) Code field.

Manufacturer Product Identification Code

EZ_Customs-Info_PIDS_NS-PID_MRK.png

S-PID (Standardised Product ID)

An internationally recognized code, such as GTIN, EAN, UPC, or ISBN.

General/Barcode (UPC, ISBN, GTIN, etc.)

EZ_Customs-Info_PIDS_S-PID_MRK.png

ShippingEasy has 3 locations where you can update PIDS:

  • Ready to Ship (see the table above).

  • Order Slideout, and

    EZ_PROD_Order-Slideout_PID_MRK.png

  • Product Catalog.

    EZ_PROD_Product-Catalog_PIDS_MRK.png

Note on S-PID (UPS Shipments)

An S-PID is only required if a standard identifier exists for the product. If your item does not have a GTIN, EAN, UPC, or ISBN, use exception code Y081 when shipping via UPS.

When No S-PID Is Available

If a product has no Standardized Product ID (S-PID), the carrier and customs authority need an explicit claim that none is available. Not providing one at all is not enough. ShippingEasy makes that claim for you, as long as you leave the S-PID fields out.

  • Omit manufacturer_product_id and manufacturer_product_id_type, or send both as null. Do not send an empty string.

  • Do not send a stand-in value, such as "none" or "N/A", for the S-PID, and do not set the PID type.

  • Keep sending sku and manufacturer_ns_product_id.

Each carrier expects its own "not available" value. For example, FedEx expects NO and UPS expects the exception code Y081. ShipStation applies the right value automatically when both properties are omitted or null.

This is different from a product that has an identifier whose type doesn't fit the list. In that case, send the identifier and set manufacturer_product_id_type to undefined.

DDP vs. DDU for EU Shipments

When shipping internationally, you choose who pays duties at delivery: the sender via Delivered Duty Paid (DDP) or the recipient via Delivered Duty Unpaid (DDU).

Delivered Duty Unpaid (DDU)

Delivered Duty Paid (DDP)

Puts the customs charge on the customer.

Merchants pay the customs fee up front.

DDU means EU customers will receive a charge request before they can collect their package.

Smoother experience. Customer receives their order without surprise charges.

Can add friction for buyers and increase the risk of refused deliveries being returned to the sender.

Merchants often build it into their pricing.

With the new flat-rate EU duty applying to every qualifying B2C shipment, DDU means your EU customers receive a charge request before they can collect their package. That creates friction and, in some cases refused deliveries that come back to you. DDP keeps the experience clean: you control the cost, build it into your pricing, and your customer receives their order without surprise charges.

🇺🇸 🇨🇦 For US and Canada-based account holders, and certain ShipStation Carriers, ShipStation also offers , letting you pay all applicable duties, taxes, and fees upfront so your customers never face surprise charges at delivery. As long as your shipment details are accurate, the quoted duties, taxes, and fees are locked in, with no adjustments to those charges after the fact.

EU Customs Changes FAQ

Review the frequently asked questions below to understand how the new EU customs rules impact your B2C shipments and what steps you need to take in your integration to avoid delivery delays or penalties.

What's changing, when, and does it apply to me?

This update applies to shipments originating outside the EU and destined for an EU member state. Starting July 1, 2026, the EU will remove the €150 duty-free threshold: a flat €3 customs duty per HS line item will apply to B2C shipments valued €150 or less.

Starting November 1, 2026, Product Identifiers (PIDs) will become mandatory for B2C distance-sale shipments into the EU, regardless of value. This applies to B2C shipments (recipient not VAT-registered in the destination country). B2B shipments (VAT-registered recipient) will not be subject to the €3 duty or the PID requirement.

What happens if I'm not compliant?

Missing or incorrect data (Movement Indicator or PID) can result in the shipment being held, delayed, or rejected at customs. The €3 duty is non-refundable, including on returns, regardless of whether your data was correct.

What are the three PIDs, and what do I put if I'm missing one?

  • Merchant Product ID (M-PID): your own internal identifier (SKU).

  • Non-Standardized Manufacturer Product ID (NS-PID): the manufacturer's own model or part number. If you don't have one, contact your manufacturer or supplier to obtain it.

  • Standardized Product ID (S-PID): GTIN, EAN, UPC, or ISBN.

ShipStation is able to transmit M-PID, NS-PID, and S-PID data to carriers. However, each carrier is enabling this capability on its own timeline.

What do I need to do?

Start setting the Movement Indicator for all B2B/B2C shipments.

Audit your product catalogue now and fill in all missing PID data across M-PID, NS-PID, and S-PID to avoid customs holds. PIDs must be assigned to every distinct product variant (color/size combination). Batch-level or lot-level identifiers will be rejected at customs.

Can I test now, and is it safe to ship without PID before November 1?

Yes! You'll be able to provide PIDs voluntarily starting July 1, 2026, so you can start entering and testing this data once that window opens.

Shipping without PIDs before November 1, 2026 will carry no penalty, but starting early will help you avoid disruption once it becomes mandatory.

DDP vs. DDU: Which option protects your EU customers?

See the DDP vs. DDU for EU Shipments section of this article.

Additional Resources

Learn more about shipping international orders and using Harmonized Codes in ShippingEasy.

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