WHAT IS EUDR

Definition: The EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) aims to prevent the import of commodities linked to deforestation into the EU and their export from the EU* to the rest of the world.

Impact on customers: The EUDR requires customers to demonstrate, before shipping to or from the EU, that their goods do not originate from deforested areas.

Effective date:

• 30 December 2026: Rules start to apply to medium-sized and large enterprises
• 30 June 2027: Rules start to apply to micro and small enterprises

WHICH SHIPMENTS FALL WITHIN SCOPE?

The relevant EUDR commodities and their derived products that fall within the scope of the regulation are listed in Annex 1:

• Cattle
• Wood (this category does not include bamboo or rattan; conversely, paper and pulp are subject to the EUDR — HS chapters 47, 48)
• Cocoa (covers all products linked to cocoa beans — from raw materials to finished products or by-products)
• Soya (covers all products made from soya)
• Palm oil
• Coffee (coffee, roasted or unroasted, with or without caffeine; coffee husks and skins; coffee substitutes containing coffee in any proportion)
• Rubber and products derived from it (this covers only natural rubber, not synthetic rubber)

WHAT IS NEEDED TO PROVE THAT EUDR PRODUCTS ARE NOT LINKED TO DEFORESTATION?

To demonstrate that EUDR products do not originate from deforestation, DHL Express requires the following information in the electronic shipment data at item level:

• A DDS reference number is a unique identifier assigned to each EUDR product imported into or exported from the EU. Operators/traders in the supply chain of EUDR products are required to generate the DDS reference number through the European Commission's information system.
• TARIC document code: Certain commodities and their derived products falling within the scope of the EUDR are exempt from EUDR obligations (see the table of TARIC codes).

HOW CAN SHIPPERS AVOID DELAYS?

Carriers importing EUDR commodities and their derived products into the EU, or exporting them from the EU to the rest of the world, should:

• Verify their legal obligations with an external expert on this subject.
• Provide complete and accurate electronic data at item level — this is essential, particularly for these 4 key data elements:
  1. A good description of the goods (describing what the goods are, what they are used for, and what they are made of)
  2. The Harmonized System code (HS code)
  3. The DDS reference number
  4. For commodities/products exempt from the EUDR, the relevant TARIC document code
• Inform DHL Express by emailing celni@dhl.com.
• Are you ready for the EUDR? Fill in our short questionnaire. How large is your company? Will you provide a DDS, or do you have an exemption?

Important: Shipments will be held by customs authorities if a DDS reference number or the relevant TARIC document code is not provided to DHL Express.

For more useful information, see the websites below:

European Commission Guidelines on EUDR
The Deforestation Due Diligence Registry — European Commission
European Commission definition of a small and medium enterprise
EUDR — nli.gov.cz
Regulation - 2023/1115 - EN - EUR-Lex (Annex 1

ANNEX 1

COMMODITIES AND THEIR DERIVED PRODUCTS IN SCOPE

EUDR HS CODES

• Products falling under the HS codes listed below require a DDS reference number at item level in the electronic shipping data.

EUDR MATERIAL HS CODES

• Products that are made from an EUDR commodity require a DDS reference number at item level in the electronic shipping data.
• If the product is not made from EUDR commodities, a TARIC document code is required at item level in the electronic shipping data.

TARIC CODES

• Certain commodities regulated by the EUDR and their derivatives are exempt from DDS requirements. Instead of entering a DDS reference number at item level, a TARIC document code is required at item level.
• TARIC document codes are important identifiers used in international trade to ensure products comply with regulations. Each code relates to a specific exemption that helps customs authorities confirm that no DDS reference number is required.

Key EUDR players – where do you fit in?

Depending on whether you are an eligible small or medium-sized enterprise (SME) or a non-SME operator/trader within the EUDR commodity supply chain, different obligations and simplifications apply.

Under the EUDR, a company is classified into a given category if it meets at least two of the three defined criteria.

Micro, small and medium-sized enterprises within the meaning of Article 3 of Directive 2013/34/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ L 182, 29.6.2013, p. 19).

What shippers need to do to avoid delays

• Ensure that all relevant EUDR requirements are met, including submission of the due diligence statement.
• Ensure that the relevant EUDR data element for each item in the shipment is submitted electronically to DHL via DHL Electronic Shipping Solutions.
• Provide the correct Harmonized System (HS) code.
• Provide a clear, specific and accurate description of the goods so that the product can be unambiguously identified.
• Ensure that all mandatory EUDR data is available before the shipment is sent.

Why the description matters:

PRACTICAL EXAMPLES