Businesses sending to countries in the European Union (EU) are required to send customs information to the destination country before the items arrive. This customs program is supported by ICS2 and makes for a more efficient and effective EU customs system as data will be collected on all goods before they arrive in the EU. This is also referred to as pre-departure customs clearance (PDCC).

For safety and regulatory reasons, customs authorities are strict with what they allow into their countries. Many, including EU member states, require pre-departure approval of items before they leave Australia. This means Australia Post must transmit electronic advance data (EAD) to customs authorities at the destination country and receive approval that those items can be sent, before passing them to an airline for delivery.

To ensure pre-departure customs approval, you must complete a customs declaration form for most items being sent to EU countries at or before the time of lodgement or assessment.1 If this information isn’t provided, or is inaccurate or incomplete, items may be returned.

More information on EU requirements and ICS2 can be found on the EU tax website.

Requirements for European Union member states

A completed customs declaration form and EAD is required for the following products and services:

  • Global Logistics
  • International Courier – parcels and letters
  • International Express – parcels and letters
  • International Standard – parcels
  • International Economy Air – parcels
  • International Economy Sea Mail - parcels

Note, a customs declaration form and EAD is not required for International Economy letters.

What you need to do

We suggest you use a digital sending platform when lodging your goods to ensure the destination customs authority receives the required data before the item arrives.

The following sending platforms allow digital capture of electronic advance data (EAD):

  • MyPost Business
  • eParcel
  • Parcel Send
  • Shipping API
  • Shipping Platforms

You can refer to the declaration guide for support.

Your customs declaration form must include a detailed description of the goods and what they are made from. For eCommerce items, you must provide the correct HS tariff code. Your item may be delayed if insufficient information is supplied.

Read our FAQs for more information.

View more FAQs

 

1 Customs declaration and EAD are not required for Economy Air Letters.

2 Included for the purposes of the European Union Import Control System (ICS2) even though these countries are not in the European Union.