Purpose: Learn when product identifiers are required for shipments entering the EU, how to add them in Sendcloud, and what to check before creating your shipping labels.
What are product identifiers for EU shipments?
Since 1 November 2026, new EU customs requirements apply to business-to-consumer (B2C) shipments entering the EU from outside the EU, such as shipments from the UK.
For goods valued at less than €150, each item must have the required product identifiers.
These identifiers help customs identify the products being imported. Missing or incorrect information may result in shipping label errors or customs delays.
To meet these requirements, you can add and manage your product identifiers using the Products feature in Sendcloud or provide them through the Sendcloud API.
Who does this requirement apply to?
Product identifiers are required when all three conditions apply:
- Origin and destination: The parcel is shipped from outside the EU to a destination within the EU, for example, from the UK to France.
- Shipment type: The shipment is B2C (business-to-consumer). B2B shipments to VAT-registered buyers are excluded.
- Goods value: The goods are valued at less than €150.
Important: Product identifiers must be provided for each item in an applicable shipment, not just once per parcel. Without the required information, carriers may reject shipping labels or customs may hold parcels.
How to add product identifiers in Sendcloud
You can save your product information in Sendcloud so it can be reused when processing your orders. Follow the steps below to prepare your products and create shipping labels.
Step 1: Add your products in Sendcloud
- Log in to your Sendcloud account.
- Go to Settings > Products.
- Add the products you ship to the EU.
- Save your product information.
You only need to add each product once. Sendcloud can then reuse the saved information when processing your orders.
💡 Tip: If you have a large product catalogue, start with the products you ship most frequently to the EU.
For more information about adding, editing, and managing products, see our Products feature article.
Step 2: Add the identifiers for each product
In Settings > Products, make sure each relevant product has the following information:
| Field | What to enter | Required? |
|---|---|---|
| SKU | Your own product code, used to identify the product in your catalogue. | Required for adding the product to Sendcloud. |
| Manufacturer product identifier (non-standardised) | The code assigned by the manufacturer or supplier, such as a model number or part number. | Required. |
| Manufacturer product identifier (standardised) | A standardised product code, such as a GTIN or EAN. | Required if one exists. |
💡 Good to know: The non-standardised and standardised manufacturer product identifiers are two separate fields. Adding an EAN does not replace the requirement to provide the non-standardised identifier.
When is an EAN used automatically?
If your webshop sends an EAN (barcode) to Sendcloud, or you've already added an EAN in Settings > Products, Sendcloud automatically uses it as the standardised manufacturer product identifier (S-PID) for EU customs data.
However, if you've already entered a standardised manufacturer product identifier in Settings > Products, Sendcloud uses that value instead of the EAN.
EAN import is supported for the following webshop integrations:
View supported webshop integrations
- Shopify
- WooCommerce V2
- Magento BOF
- PrestaShop V2
- Amazon
- Lightspeed
- Shopware 6 Cloud
- bol
- Wix
- BigCommerce
- CCVshop
- TikTok Shop
- Kaufland
This automatic EAN handling applies to shipping labels created through:
- Incoming orders
- Pack & Go
- Ship an Order API (v3)
💡 Shopify: Manufacturer identifiers saved as an NS_PID barcode are also imported into Sendcloud.
If your webshop doesn't provide an EAN, add the standardised manufacturer product identifier manually in Settings > Products, if one exists for the product.
You must still add the non-standardised manufacturer product identifier for each product in Sendcloud.
Step 3: Create your shipping labels
Once you've added the required product information, you can create your shipping labels as usual.
- Open the order you want to ship.
- Review the product and customs information.
- Check that the required manufacturer product identifiers are present for each item.
- If any information is missing or incorrect, update it before creating the label.
- Create your shipping label.
💡 Good to know: Manufacturer product identifier fields are shown in the shipment workflow for shipments entering the EU from outside the EU.
Important: Always check the identifiers on your order before shipping, even when some information has been filled in automatically.
For more information about international shipments, see How to create an international shipment in Sendcloud.
Using a WMS or the Sendcloud API
If you use a warehouse management system (WMS), contact your WMS provider for guidance on managing and sending product identifiers.
If you create shipments through the Shipments API or a WMS, you must provide the manufacturer identifiers yourself. The automatic EAN handling described above does not apply to these workflows.
The API fields for manufacturer product identifiers are:
-
manufacturer_product_id: Non-standardised manufacturer product identifier. -
manufacturer_product_id_std: Standardised manufacturer product identifier.
For implementation details, consult the relevant Sendcloud API documentation.
Your responsibility for product information
Sendcloud passes on the manufacturer product identifiers you provide, but ensuring that your product information is complete, accurate, and up to date remains your responsibility.
Before shipping parcels into the EU, check that every applicable item has the required identifiers to help prevent shipping label errors and customs delays.