International Mail
Transmitting HS Codes, sub codes and other information for mail items to EU countries, etc.February 21, 2023
(Last update: March 1, 2024)
As requested by custom authorities of EU member countries, effective Friday, September 22, 2023, we recommend sending information such as HS codes of mail contents in the form of EAD when sending international mail to corresponding countries/territories.
If these information is not transmitted, or if inaccurate information is provided, inconveniences may be experienced, such as delays in customs clearance, return of mail items, or payment of excessive customs duties by the recipient, per the determination of the customs authorities of the destination countries.
In order to send information, such as HS codes, in the form of EAD, we kindly ask you to use the "International Mail My Page Service" on our website.
As requested by the custom authorities of EU member countries, we recommend transmitting the following information in the form of EAD when sending international mail to EU member countries/territories. If you send items under a company's name or if you send goods for commercial use, the items will be strictly inspected by the customs authorities of the destination countries.
For the countries and territories concerned, please see "Target countries/territories and required codes" below.
Information recommended for transmission
- Telephone number or email address of addressee
- Zip code of addressee
- You can find postal code type (digits, characters) for some EU countries here.
When entering the postal code of the recipient in the International Mail My Page Service, please input it in the "Postal code" column of the recipient's information.
- HS codes (6 digits)
- The HS code is a 6-digit item classification code used for exporting and importing goods. The code required by EU countries is a 6-digit HS code, but France and its overseas territories, such as Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Martinique and Reunion, require an 8-digit CN code and Ireland requires a 10-digit TARIC code as exceptions.
Target countries/territories and required codes
| Countries/ Territories |
Required codes | Countries/ Territories |
Required codes | Countries/ Territories |
Required codes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iceland | HS code (6digit) | Spain | HS code (6digit) | Belgium | HS code (6digit) |
| Ireland | TARIC code (10 digit) | Slovakia | HS code (6digit) | Poland | HS code (6digit) |
| Italy | HS code (6digit) | Slovenia | HS code (6digit) | Portugal | HS code (6digit) |
| Estonia | HS code (6digit) | Czech Republic | HS code (6digit) | Malta | HS code (6digit) |
| Austria | HS code (6digit) | Denmark2 | HS code (6digit) | Martinique | CN code (8 digit) |
| Netherlands1 | HS code (6digit) | Germany | HS code (6digit) | Monaco | HS code (6digit) |
| Guadeloupe | CN code (8 digit) | Norway | HS code (6digit) | Latvia | HS code (6digit) |
| Cyprus | HS code (6digit) | Hungary | HS code (6digit) | Lithuania | HS code (6digit) |
| Greece | HS code (6digit) | Finland | HS code (6digit) | Liechtenstein | HS code (6digit) |
| Croatia | HS code (6digit) | French Guiana | CN code (8 digit) | Romania | HS code (6digit) |
| San Marino | HS code (6digit) | France3 | CN code (8 digit) | Luxembourg | HS code (6digit) |
| Switzerland | HS code (6digit) | Bulgaria | HS code (6digit) | Reunion | CN code (8 digit) |
| Sweden | HS code (6digit) |
- Except for Aruba, Curaçao, SintMaarten, and Caribbean Netherlands.
- Except for Greenland and Faroe Islands.
- Except for St. Pierre and Miquelon, New Caledonia, French Polynesia, Wallis and Futuna, and French Southern and Antarctic Territories.
- Great Britain is not targeted.
HS code…A 6-digit item classification code used for exporting and importing items.
CN code…A 8-digit item classification code consisting of a universal 6-digit HS code and an EU-local subclass code.
TARIC code…A 10-digit item classification code consisting of a universal 6-digit HS code and an EU-local subclass code.
e.g.
Target postal services
Following postal items are eligible.
EMS (for goods)*, international parcels, small packets, international e-Packet Light, special mailbags for printed matter and other letter-post items containing articles with a declarable value that may be subject to customs inspection.
- EMS containing goods and/or papers with a declarable value.
If HS codes or sub codes are not transmitted, or if the wrong codes are transmitted
If HS codes or sub codes are not transmitted, or if the wrong codes are transmitted, inconveniences may be experienced, such as delays in customs clearance, return of mail items, or payment of excessive customs duties by the recipient, per the determination of the customs authorities of the destination countries. If other required information than HS codes is not transmitted, or if inaccurate information is transmitted, delays in customs clearance or delivery may occur. In such cases, we regret that we cannot refund the postage or compensate for damages on the items because we are not responsible for the customs declarations of the sender.
