Shipment requirements according to USPS as of 2023 | Selling

lotzofuniquegoodies · 2025-04-22T17:35:33.422000Z

@devon@ebay This was posted to the USPS website in 2023. Please pass to the correct department for urgent attention. It appears this was never fully complied with by eBay and eBay Labels (see note below). Applicable for both US and Canadian shipping to the EU.(Note. Unsure if these changes were made to US eBay label documentation and inadvertently omitted on the ca version but equally important and required.) These are rules/requirements couriers have followed for years. Customs Information for International Shipments to the EUAs of July 2021, all shipments to EU member states require formal customs declarations and are subject to Value-Added Tax (VAT). To ensure uninterrupted customs processing and delivery, formal customs declarations must be completed accurately, including a comprehensive description of goods for each item in the shipment. Detailed instructions are outlined below.A formal customs declaration must include:Sender Information ****Do not use any abbreviations.Name: Complete First Name and Last NameAddress: Road Name, Number, ZIP Code™, City, StateContact Information: Phone, Email - This means valid email address. Not the internal eBay version.Currently there is no field for this info when using eBay labels. Mandatory fields when using standalone courier systemsRecipient Information ****Do not use any abbreviations.Name: Complete First Name and Last NameAddress: Road Name, Number, Postal Code, City, State/Province, CountryContact Information: Phone,Email - This means valid email address. Not the internal eBay version.Currently there is no field for this info when using eBay labels. Mandatory fields when using standalone courier systems************************************************************************************************FYI for anyone else interested. Additional details/requirements. New Customs Requirements for Packages to European Union (EU) CountriesIf you're shipping packages to countries that follow European Union (EU) customs rules, there are new customs regulations you'll need to follow. If you don't provide more-detailed content descriptions on your customs forms, your packages may be returned or refused. USPS is providing tools to help shippers comply with these new rules. What You Need to KnowAs of March 1, 2023:New customs rules apply to all outbound international packages going to European countries that follow EU customs regulations. This includes small personal gifts, ecommerce orders, and military and diplomatic mail (APO/DPO/FPO).Every item in your package must be listed on the customs declaration form.For each item's description: You can't just name a general category; your description must be specific. For example, you can't just say "electronics"; you have to be specific about the type of electronics, like "computer," "mobile phone," or "television."If you use USPS® tools (like the International Retail Postage Price Calculator or Global Shipping Software) and provide acceptable descriptions (that are specific and accurate), USPS will provide an "HS (Harmonized System) Tariff Code" (or just "HS Code"). This USPS-generated code will be included on your customs declaration form.Guidance for Acceptable DescriptionsUnacceptable Acceptable ClothesMen's shirts, girls' vest, boys' jacketsAppliancesRefrigerator, stove, microwave ovenArtworkOil painting, pencil sketch, bronze statueBatteryLithium batteriesGiftsScented candle, remote-controlled car, cashmere scarfMedicinePainkillers, antiviral sprayHealth & Beauty ProductsDetergent, toothbrush, towelsVegetablesEggplant, onions, broccoli ****Unsure why Battery: Lithium Battery was included under acceptable.****Guidance for Acceptable DescriptionsUnacceptable Acceptable ClothesMen's shirts, girls' vest, boys' jacketsAppliancesRefrigerator, stove, microwave ovenArtworkOil painting, pencil sketch, bronze statueBatteryLithium batteriesGiftsScented candle, remote-controlled car, cashmere scarfMedicinePainkillers, antiviral sprayHealth & Beauty ProductsDetergent, toothbrush, towelsVegetablesEggplant, onions, broccoliCountries That Follow European Union (EU) Customs RulesAustriaBelgiumBulgariaCroatiaCyprus, Republic ofCzech RepublicDenmarkEstoniaFinlandFranceGermanyGreeceHungaryIrelandItalyLatviaLithuaniaLuxembourgMaltaNetherlandsNorwayPolandPortugalRomaniaSlovakiaSloveniaSpainSwedenSwitzerlandWhy These Changes Are ImportantOutbound U.S. shippers send tens of millions of packages to EU countries each year. However, if you don't comply with new requirements in EU customs rules, your shipments will be at risk. Don't jeopardize your packages, revenue, and customer satisfaction! For BusinessesPrevent loss of international outbound revenueFollow new EU regulations, reducing fraud and increasing accountabilityImprove speed and efficiency of cross-border ecommerceMeet safety and security requirements, preventing delays, fines, and penalties for noncomplianceIncrease competitivenessFor ConsumersKnow EU rules and how to properly describe contents in international shipmentsSend packages with peace of mind, avoiding delayed, discarded, or destroyed packagesCustoms Information for International Shipments to the EUAs of July 2021, all shipments to EU member states require formal customs declarations and are subject to Value-Added Tax (VAT). To ensure uninterrupted customs processing and delivery, formal customs declarations must be completed accurately, including a comprehensive description of goods for each item in the shipment. Detailed instructions are outlined below.A formal customs declaration must include:Sender InformationDo not use any abbreviations.Name: Complete First Name and Last NameAddress: Road Name, Number, ZIP Code™, City, StateContact Information: Phone, Email Recipient InformationDo not use any abbreviations.Name: Complete First Name and Last NameAddress: Road Name, Number, Postal Code, City, State/Province, CountryContact Information: Phone, EmailItem DescriptionYou must include a specific, accurate description for each item in your shipment. For example, if you are sending electronics, you must indicate what type of electronics (e.g., television, computer, mobile phone) for the description to be acceptable.Acceptable goods descriptions must include:Complete, detailed information, explaining the precise nature of the goods in plain languageAn indication of what the goods are, what they are made of, and what purpose they serveAcceptable DescriptionTelevisionMobile phoneMen's cotton t-shirtsPolyester women's socksUnacceptable DescriptionElectronicsClothingItem ValueYou must include a separate and specific value for all items in your shipment. Once calculated, included a total value for the shipment.Packet or Package WeightYou must include the total gross weight of the package and the unit of calculation (i.e., pounds or kilograms).HS Tariff CodeHS Tariff Codes are identifiers linked to specific goods descriptions. Once you have accurately described the item you are shipping, USPS will provide an HS Code for your customs form. In the event that you cannot find an HS Tariff Code, an accurate goods description is enough for customs processing. Harmonized System Codes are very complex. You can learn more about HS codes here.What is the Harmonized System?The Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System generally referred to as "Harmonized System" or "HS" is a multipurpose international product nomenclature developed by the World Customs Organization (WCO). The system categorizes commodity groups by six-digit codes, creating a universal economic language for the shipping of goods. These codes are used for internal taxes, trade policies, monitoring of controlled goods, rules of origin, freight tariffs, transport statistics, price monitoring, quota controls, compilation of national accounts, and economic research and analysis. The WCO updates the HS every 5 years.1Countries often add additional digits to the end of the six-digit code to further classify products. The United States uses a 10-digit code to classify products.2What are the Challenges?3The Harmonized System is complex; it is difficult and expensive to implement and requires extensive training.Countries create unique sub-classifications that do not align internationally.The WCO recommends quantities associated with the HS codes which do not always align with the quantities used in industry practices that vary across countries.Frequent revisions of the HS result in the discontinuation or merging of some codes every five years, causing issues in analysis and implementation across countries.It is recognized that many of the challenges faced by the HS are inherent and unavoidable in any multipurpose international commodity classification. Full link details:https://www.usps.com/international/new-eu-customs-rules.htm

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Shipment requirements according to USPS as of 2023 | Selling | eBay Canada EN