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The OCS Export Academy – EU PID Deadline looms and more in this week’s global Customs update.
This week in global trade compliance has brought a mix of urgent deadlines, operational concessions and new technological opportunities. While overall regulatory risk remains moderate, logistics and eCommerce businesses have several key action items to address as we move toward the final quarter of 2026.
Here is your weekly regulatory and industry update from the OCS Export Academy:
European Union: The November 1 PID Deadline is Critical
Our most urgent European compliance project remains unchanged: Product Identifiers (PID) will become mandatory for distance-sale imports on 1st November, 2026.
With approximately six weeks remaining, businesses must immediately transition from specification work into active customer testing. If you haven’t already, it is critical to confirm that C127, C128, C129 and Y081 mappings are agreed and that your systems can successfully transmit repeating identifiers for customs items containing multiple products.
Canada: Welcome Flexibility for CLVS Air Carriers
In a move to ease air-capacity constraints, the Canadian CBSA has introduced an immediate exception for authorised participants in the Courier Low Value Shipment (CLVS) programme.
Effective from 14th September, CLVS participants may now use third-party air carriers that do not hold Partners in Protection (PIP) certification.
- The third-party air carrier must remain bonded.
- Shipments must still be presented at the designated sufferance warehouse.
- The authorised CLVS participant must retain their own active PIP certification for air operations.
United Kingdom: HMRC Updates Customs-Information API
HMRC has rolled out version 2.0 (beta) of its Customs Declarations Information API. While this isn’t a new compliance requirement, it presents a fantastic technological opportunity to automate CDS status monitoring and reconciliation.
The updated API supports retrieving full declaration information, identifying acceptance and goods-release timestamps. In addition, you can check MRN, DUCR, UCR, or inventory references (for declarations within the preceding 180 days). We recommend evaluating the HMRC sandbox now to see how this can streamline your export declaration confirmations and exception reporting.
Global Watch list: US Enforcement and IATA
As you prepare your compliance pipelines, keep an eye on the United States. We are rapidly approaching the previously announced October 22 enforcement milestone applying to exclusions from the postal informal-entry process. Ensure your ten-digit HTS US classifications and Partner Government Agency data are locked in.
Additionally, we will be monitoring the upcoming IATA Cargo Experts Conference (Sept 23-24). On our radar will be updates on ONE Record implementations and undeclared dangerous goods policies.