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.
What is the HS code and sub code?
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.
- Item classification code consisting of a universal 6-digit HS code and an EU-local subclass code
How to find HS codes and sub codes
You can find examples of HS codes and sub codes (CN code and TARIC code) for items frequently sent on our web site.
Japanese-English/Chinese-English translations of item names, examples of HS codes and subcodes (CN code and TARIC code)
This Web site shows the HS codes, CN codes and TARIC codes for the major contents of international postal items.
https://www.post.japanpost.jp/int/use/publication/contentslist/index.php?lang=_en
How to search and send HS codes is explained below the video.
- The International Mail My Page Service screen shown in the video is in the specification prior to Sunday, October 1, 2023.
- International ePacket cannot be selected as it is no longer available since Saturday, September 30, 2023.
If you would like to find a specific HS code, you can find it on the following Japan Customs web site.
- You cannot look up 8-digit CN codes and 10-digit TARIC codes on Japan Customs Web site below, and Japan Customs cannot answer questions about these codes.
Item Classification Page
https://www.customs.go.jp/zeikan/seido/item_classification.htm
Tariff Classification Search Page
https://www.customs.go.jp/searchtc/jtcsv001.jsp
If you would like to find a specific CN code or TARIC code, you can find it on the following web page of the European Commission.
TARIC Consultation (European Commission)
https://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/dds2/taric/taric_consultation.jsp?Lang=en
Please see here for information about how to find the CN code or TARIC code on the above web page.
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It is the responsibility of the sender, who is a declarant to customs and understands the details of the contents of the item, to declare the HS code and sub code to the customs authority of the destination country. Therefore, we are not able to find or determine the HS code on your behalf. We would appreciate your understanding on this.
Since the final decision on the correctness of HS codes is made by the customs authority of the destination country, we recommend that you contact the customs authority of the destination country through the addressee to obtain more accurate information.
How to transmit HS codes and sub codes
When you create labels via the International Mail My Page Service, please enter the HS codes and sub codes in the "Register the contents" section.
The example in the image below is for inputting a 6-digit HS code, but please input 8 digits for a CN code and 10 digits for a TARIC code.
"Register the contents" section on International Mail My Page Service, PC version.
Mail content registration screen of the "International Mail My Page Service" for smartphones
"Register the contents" section on the Electronic Advance Data Transmission Application installed in tablets at the counter of each post office.
Important Notes
- Please enter the HS codes or sub codes as numbers only, without periods and spaces. Periods and spaces may hinder the accurate transmission of EAD.
- If you find that you have entered the wrong HS codes or sub codes, you will need to create a new label using the International Mail My Page Service. Please note that if you manually correct or add information to the shipping label you create using the International Mail My Page Service, such as corrected HS codes or sub codes, the manual correction will not be reflected in the accompanying EAD.
- For Small Packets, International ePacket Light, Printed Matter, and other regular mails, even when entering multiple HS codes, only one code will be printed on the label. However, in the form of EAD, all codes will be transmitted to the destination country/territory (you may handwrite missing HS codes onto the label).
