1. Parcelforce Worldwide
The importance of electronic customs data
May 2019
February 2018

2. 1 2 3 Contents Electronic customs data Summary Facts and figures
Features and benefits
Background
The importance of electronic customs data – key deadlines
Electronic data requirements
What happens if no data is provided?
Summary & call to
action
May 2019

3. Worldwide delivery – it’s what we do
Nearly 5m parcels delivered worldwide in 2017
87% of customers rate our international service as excellent or good
Consumer control with ONLINE IN-FLIGHT OPTIONS
Experts in global home delivery
DELIVERY NOTIFICATIONS in LOCAL LANGUAGE to increase visibility and CUSTOMER SATISFACTION
Access to 99% of the global population
Tracked delivery to every address in Europe
ETHICAL Ranked in the top 15% of the 2016 FTSE4Good Global Index
RELIABLE
Tried and tested contingency plans with ISO business continuity processes.
95%+ quality to key worldwide destinations
May 2019

4. Keeping control of your parcels Supporting your business
We deliver much more than parcels
Quality
Keeping your promises
Service quality: We aim to deliver consistent service quality of at least 95% to main worldwide destinations
Reliability: Our Business Continuity process includes contingency plans to deal with airport closures, natural disasters and terrorist threats worldwide
Security: We are TAPA accredited, and we comply with stringent requirements for aviation security
Visibility
Keeping control of your parcels
Tracking: Online view of parcel status, updated regularly, with recipient signature on delivery
Notifications: Keep your customers informed on the status of their parcel with our local language s worldwide, with inflight options to most of Europe
Dashboard: Our leading-edge reporting tool puts all your delivery information at your fingertips, 24/7
Partnership
Supporting your business
Customer Service: Our dedicated team work with our overseas delivery partners to resolve issues. Responses within 1 or 4 hours for express or priority services
The number of Issues raised equate to less than 1% of the international parcels we handle
Account Management: Your account manager works with you to understand your business, and support your growth
May 2019

5. Our International Services
Electronic customs data
Our International Services
February 2018
May 2019

6. Background
More and more countries require that incoming international parcels are accompanied by electronic customs data
Electronic customs data includes information on the sender, the recipient and parcel contents (description, weight, value, etc)
Don’t worry; it is likely you are already providing most of this data when processing exports using your shipping solution
But it is important that you check to ensure all relevant information is provided to enable continued shipping of overseas parcels without restriction
A Customs Declaration (CN23) or Commercial Invoice should also continue to be attached to each item
May 2019

7. Electronic customs data – key dates
From 31st May 2019, China may seek to prioritise items with electronic customs data
From 1st July 2019, the US may refuse items without electronic customs data in accordance with the STOP Act See here for more details
In the event of a ‘no deal’ Brexit on 31st October 2019, electronic customs data will be a key customer requirement for exports into the EU*
May *Please visit for more information

8. Extra recipient details
Standard electronic data requirements
Electronic customs data should be captured via your shipping solution and includes information on the sender, the recipient and parcel contents
Basic info – details of sender and recipient
Customs info – various fields to provide information on the contents and value of your parcels to ensure a speedy customs clearance process
Trade Tariff code – An 8 (EU) or 6 (RoW) digit code to ensure goods are correctly classified. We have built a lookup tool here to help you find this*
Sender details (Name, address)
Basic
info
Recipient details (Name, address including destination country)
Sender telephone number and
Item details (description, quantity, weight and value of contents)
Customs
info
Country of origin of contents
Postage & insurance costs
Trade Tariff (Harmonised System or HS) code
Extra recipient details to enable customer delivery notifications
Extra recipient details
Recipient telephone number and
May 2019
*Not mandatory for US or Chinese exports

9. Additional data requirements (EU only)
If you export to businesses in the EU you may also need to supply the following data electronically in a ‘no deal’ Brexit scenario
Importer details – address and contact details of any 3rd party importer (if applicable). This is typically either a bulk importer of items, a subsidiary of the shipper/recipient or a fiscal representative (see the FAQs for more details)
EORI numbers – the Economic Operators Registration and Identification System (EORI) number acts as a unique identification and will likely be mandatory to export items into the EU Post-Brexit (see the FAQs for more details)
Basic
info
Importer details
Exporter EORI number
Customs
info
Importer EORI number
May 2019

10. Summary
Further Information
February 2018
May 2019

11. Summary and call to action
Electronic customs data includes information on the sender, the recipient and the contents of the parcel
More and more countries require incoming international parcels to be accompanied by electronic customs data
Exports to China without electronic customs data may experience delays at customs clearance from 31st May 2019
Exports to the US without electronic customs data are at risk of being returned from 1st July 2019
Electronic customs data will help you mitigate the risks associated with a ‘no deal’ Brexit on 31st October 2019
Please visit for more information
May 2019