From November 1, the EU will require product identification codes to be declared for each item; eBay and DHgate will implement the requirement at the same time

According to a report by Chuhai.com on October 28, the EU will require, from November 1, 2026, that product identification codes be declared for each parcel sent to local consumers from outside the EU’s 27 member states. Platforms including eBay and DHgate have already implemented the requirement. The measure aims to strengthen product safety traceability and compliance oversight. Cross-border e-commerce sellers affected by the requirement should adjust their product information management processes in advance.

The key change is the requirement to declare information for each individual item. Sellers need to pay attention to the relationship between the specific products in a parcel and their product identification information. This means that the completeness and accuracy of product details, and whether this information remains consistent during order processing and declaration, will become more direct areas of compliance focus.

In the short term, the impact may first be felt in product information maintenance and the handoff of declaration data. If existing product information is spread across different business processes, or records for the same product differ, sellers may need to carry out additional checks. Sellers with a wide range of products may also face a greater workload in organizing product information. The extent of the adjustments required will depend on their current information management practices and the platforms’ specific implementation requirements.

It is important to note that the requirement to declare product identification codes for each item does not, by itself, specify which type of code should be entered, what format should be used, or whether requirements differ by product. When adjusting their processes, sellers should refer to relevant regulatory guidance and the specific field requirements published by the platforms, and avoid assuming that existing product numbers or similar identifiers are equivalent to the required product identification codes.

This change indicates that product safety traceability requirements are being further applied to the declaration of product information for cross-border parcels. Going forward, sellers should watch for how platforms clarify the rules for entering this information and whether product details can be smoothly transferred to the declaration stage. These details will affect sellers’ actual operating costs and processing efficiency.