Guide
EU product identifiers from 1 November 2026
From 1 November 2026, customs declarations for low-value distance sales into the EU must carry product identifiers. They were voluntary from 1 July. The data comes from your product catalog, so gaps there become problems at the border.
The four codes
| Code | What it is | Where it comes from |
|---|---|---|
| C127 | Merchant product identifier (always) | Your SKU |
| C128 | Manufacturer's own product identifier (always) | The maker's part number, or your SKU if you make it yourself |
| C129 | Standard identifier, when one exists | GTIN / EAN / UPC barcode, or ISBN for books |
| Y081 | Declares that no standard identifier exists | Used for handmade or unbarcoded goods |
What usually goes wrong
- Missing SKUs. Many small shops never set them, especially on single-variant products.
- Duplicate SKUs across variants or products.
- Fake or mistyped barcodes that fail the GTIN check digit. Declare these as "no standard identifier" rather than sending an invalid code.
How to fix it fast
Export your products, give every physical variant a unique SKU, remove barcodes that aren't real GTINs, and re-import. DutyReady checks all of this from a Shopify or Etsy export and lists exactly which rows to fix.
Source: Access2Markets guidance on the €3 duty.
General information, not legal or customs advice. Six-digit HS codes are the same worldwide; the EU adds digits (CN 8-digit, TARIC 10-digit). Confirm in the EU TARIC database or with your carrier for unusual products. Last reviewed October 2026.