Standards Development

Scope

This standardisation deliverable (in the format of a Technical Report) is intended to specify the requirements and application of EAD of postal items containing goods. Mindful of the need to safeguard the smooth flow of postal items, and the need to facilitate customs and/or VAT related clearance, it is important that European countries intending to introduce EAD, do so in a manner that is consistent with the global letter, package and parcel network, the infrastructure set for in the customs data model, so that the requirements can be met by all supply chain parties, including the wider postal sector partners.

Legislation has been prepared for the introduction of EAD requirements for cargo, other types of commercial items, including mail in the EU by 2021. It is expected that other countries will follow this approach, so that it becomes apparent that EAD is an integrational component of a functioning European common digital single market.

The standardisation of EAD in the B-2-C item related delivery supply chain started when digital data transfer replaced paper-based processes. EAD has two purposes:

1. To facilitate customs (and related administrative duties and fees) and VAT clearance procedures: receiving data in advance will enable Customs and other authorities to determine the level of control at any cross border transaction for the item before it arrives and, if applicable, to calculate the duties, taxes and similar fees, due by the importer more efficiently; the digital transfer of data will contribute to smoother and quicker clearance and will help to facilitate cross border commerce;

2. To create an extra security layer: receiving data in advance is required to assess whether the item transported poses a risk of physical harm to the means of transport (in particular, but not limited to an aircraft) and the people and goods on board, or in other areas of the supply chain. EAD thus makes it possible to take the necessary measures for risk prevention.

EAD introduces a new dimension in data exchange. Data which, nowadays, is primarily exchanged by means of paper forms, will be exchanged digitally, prior to any border crossing. This creates an extra responsibility with regard to the protection of all data that will be processed between senders, operators, recipients and with the governmental authorities having access to the data. This includes both personal data and data related to organisations of whatever type.

Therefore, the TR shall provide the semantic mapping description of information on the characteristics or attributes primarily of Low Value Consignments (LVC) which parties in the digital commercial value chain across-borders are called upon to handle, compliant to the EU VAT Ecommerce Package as well as the UPU-WCO customs model.

Purpose

CEN is requested by the European Commission in its mandate (M/548), to develop European standards or European standardisation deliverables or where necessary to revise existing standards to be compliant to security and customs requirements for electronic advanced data and to promote interoperability of parcel-delivery operations and thereby contribute to promoting the creation of a Digital Single Market for the European Union.

These deliverables shall be designed to address VAT, customs and the increased security requirements by acknowledging the concept of electronic advance data (EAD), also referred to in other documents as “AEI”, or advance electronic information, on postal items. The result shall be a unified standards environment, applicable to all operators globally, both within and outside the UPU. This will facilitate seamless cross-border ecommerce, and prevent delays caused by missing information, security issues, or unpaid VAT and customs duties.

The development is already funded by the European Commission, the draft has been developed. It is in line with legislation and implementing acts adopted in Dec.2017 and published Dec 29th, 2017 – the so call “EU VAT Ecommerce Package” (OJ L 348 of 29.12.2017 – Council Directive [EU] 2017/2455; Council Regulation [EU] 2017/2454; Council Implementing Regulation [EU] 2017/2459)

A ballot had been undertaken in late 2019 to active the current PWI 331116 and to create a NWIP to deliver a TS in line with the mandate and contract of the European Commission to CEN/TC331 (M/548). The NWIP was not adopted (CEN/TC331/N 1579).

Several National Standardisation Authorities (NSA), voting against the adoption of the NWIP and the activation of the PWI 331116 commented that a change of the NWIP and deliverable from TS to TR would be acceptable, and active participation to a develop such a TR would be supported.

Given these statements and the need to successfully complete the mandate given by the European Commission to CEN/TC331 (M/548), the CEN/TC331 secretariat (NEN) and the Convenor of CEN/TC331 WG2 contacted the European Commission. The European Commission agreed to change the deliverable from TS to TR. Given the new deliverable and the statements of several NSA, this new ballot to activate the PWI 331116 has been launched.