Group 6: Goods Identification
Updated 24 April 2024
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DE 6/1 Net Mass (Box 38: Net Mass)
| Declaration Categories | Field format | No. of occurrences at header level | No. of occurrences at item level |
|---|---|---|---|
| C21e, C21e EIDR NOP | n..11,3 | NA | 1x |
This data element (DE) is not required on clearance requests using procedure code 00 19 in DE 1/10.
For all other DE 1/10 Procedure Codes, this data element is only required when:
- Releasing part of a bulk consignment or
- When releasing goods requiring an electronic licence using a C21e.
All Declaration Categories:
Enter, up to 3 decimal places, the net mass in kilograms of the goods described in DE 6/8 (Description of Goods). The net mass is the weight of the goods themselves without any packaging.
Where a net mass greater than 1 kg includes a fraction of a unit (kg), it may be rounded off in the following manner:
- From 0.001 to 0.499: rounding down to the nearest kg,
- From 0.5 to 0.999: rounding up to the nearest kg.
A net mass of less than 1 kg should be entered as ‘0’ followed by a number of decimals up to 6, discarding all ‘0’ at the end of the quantity (for example, 0.123 for a package of 123 grams, 0.003 for a package of 3 grams and 40 milligrams or 0.001 for a package of 654 milligrams).
Notes:
The net mass is the weight of the goods themselves without any packaging.
“Packaging” means materials and components used in any packaging operation to wrap, contain and protect articles or substances during transport. The various kinds of packages whose weight is not included in the net mass (based on the fact that they are used only for transport).
The term “package” includes all articles used and, in particular, holders used as external or internal coverings for goods, holders on which goods are rolled, wound or attached, containers (other than those defined in international conventions) and receptacles. The term excludes means of transport and articles of transport equipment such as pallets and freight containers
Any decimal places declared (up to a maximum of 3 places) must be deducted from the total number of characters used in the data element. For example, if 2 decimal places are used, then only 9 whole numbers may be used in front of the decimal place.
To provide compatibility with the Export Control System (ECS), this Data Element is restricted to ‘n..11,3’.
DE 6/5 Gross Mass (Box 35: Gross Mass)
| Declaration Categories | Field format | No. of occurrences at header level | No. of occurrences at item level |
|---|---|---|---|
| C21e EIDR NOP | n..11,3 | 1x | 1x |
Gross mass is only mandatory on EIDR NOP customs clearance requests.
All Declaration Categories:
Enter the gross mass, expressed in kilograms, for the specific item declared in DE 6/8 Description of Goods.
When the weight of the pallets is included in the transport documents, the weight of the pallets shall also be included in the calculation of the gross mass, except for the following cases:
- The pallet forms a separate item on the customs clearance request
- The export licence is based on the gross weight of the goods.
Notes:
The gross mass is the total weight of the goods and packaging but excluding containers and any other transport equipment.
Where a gross mass greater than 1 kg includes a fraction of a unit (kg), it may be rounded off in the following manner:
- From 0.001 to 0.499: rounding down to the nearest kg,
- From 0.5 to 0.999: rounding up to the nearest kg.
A gross mass of less than 1 kg should be entered as ‘0’ followed by a number of decimals up to 6, discarding all ‘0’ at the end of the quantity (for example, 0.123 for a package of 123 grams, 0.003 for a package of 3 grams and 40 milligrams or 0.001 for a package of 654 milligrams).
Any decimal places declared (up to a maximum of 3 places) must be deducted from the total number of characters used in the data element. For example, if 2 decimal places are used, then only 9 whole numbers may be used in front of the decimal place.
To provide compatibility with the Export Control System (ECS), this Data Element is restricted to ‘n..11,3’.
DE 6/8 Description of Goods (Box 31: Packages and Description of Goods)
| Declaration Categories | Field format | No. of occurrences at header level | No. of occurrences at item level |
|---|---|---|---|
| C21e, C21e EIDR NOP | an..280 | NA | 1x |
This data element is not required on clearance requests using procedure code 00 19 in DE 1/10.
This data element is mandatory in all other cases.
All Declaration Categories:
For the following types of movement:
- Transhipments
- ATA or TIR Carnets
- Movements in Temporary Storage (MiTS) and
- Transit
A general description is permitted.
In all other cases:
- A plain language description that is precise enough for customs authorities to be able to identify and examine the goods.
- The use of general terms (for instance, ‘consolidated’, ‘general cargo’, ‘parts’ or ‘freight of all kinds’) are not sufficiently precise descriptions cannot be accepted.
- A non-exhaustive list of such general terms and descriptions which are not acceptable is published by the Commission and may be found here.
- If the goods described do not comprise the whole contents of a package, container or trailer this should be made clear by adding the words ‘part case’, ‘part container’, ‘part trailer’ at the end of the description of the goods.
Pre-clearance documentary controls, including licences and certificates
Where documentary controls are required prior to release of the goods, the goods description must be sufficiently precise to enable immediate and unambiguous identification and, where applicable, support the classification of the goods.
A description of the goods sufficiently precise enough to support classification (where applicable) does not mean copying out the full description as set out in the tariff. For example, ‘magnesium potassium sulphate’ (heading 3104 commodity code 310490000) should be described in those terms and not as ‘other mineral or chemical fertilisers, potassic’.
Where the goods are subject to a commodity code depending on size, weight or other physical criteria, the description should include that information.
To provide compatibility with the Export Control System (ECS), this Data Element is restricted to ‘an..280’.
DE 6/9 Type of Packages (Box 31: Packages and Description of Goods)
| Declaration Categories | Field format | No. of occurrences at header level | No. of occurrences at item level |
|---|---|---|---|
| C21e, C21e EIDR NOP | an..2 | NA | 99x |
This data element is not required on clearance requests using procedure code 00 19 in DE 1/10.
This data element is mandatory in all other cases.
All Declaration Categories:
Enter the code specifying the type of package from the list in Appendix 18: DE 6/9: Package Type Codes.
The package type code of the smallest external packing unit is to be declared in accordance with UN/ECE recommendation 21.
The smallest external packaging is defined as being the one in which the goods are packaged in such a way that they cannot be divided without first undoing the packing.
If the goods are packaged in several packages of different types, the data element can be repeated up to 99 times for a single goods item.
Bulk Traffic:
Use the appropriate package type for the bulk commodity from the list provided in Appendix 18: DE 6/9: Package Type Codes.
Notes:
Examples:
For beer, the packaging might be the crate or carton and not the bottle in which the beer is contained, if the crate is the smallest external package type used.
If the goods are contained immediately within cartons contained on a pallet (for example, books), the pallet should be declared.
For a single consignment in one or a number of containers, the containers themselves can be deemed to be the outer packaging. If the goods are declared as packaged in containers, then the following details should be declared:
- Package Type Code (in DE 6/9 Package Type): CN
- Quantity (in DE 6/10 (Number of packages) Number of Containers
- Marks (in DE 6/11 Shipping Marks): Container numbers
- Container numbers (in DE 7/10) Container Identification numbers.
In effect, in this example, the container number(s) will be the marks and need only be entered as container details but with reference to this entered in the shipping marks data element, for example ‘Package type CN - see container id details entered’.
DE 6/10 Number of Packages (Box 31: Packages and Description of Goods)
| Declaration Categories | Field format | No. of occurrences at header level | No. of occurrences at item level |
|---|---|---|---|
| C21e, C21e EIDR NOP | n..5 | NA | 99x |
This data element is not required on clearance requests using procedure code 00 19 in DE 1/10.
This data element is mandatory in all other cases.
All Declaration Categories:
Enter the number of packages making up the consignment covered by the declaration, based on the smallest external packing unit.
This is the number of individual items packaged in such a way that they cannot be divided without first undoing the packing, or the number of pieces, if unpackaged.
If the goods are packaged in several packages of different type, the data element can be repeated up to 99 times for a single goods item.
For unpackaged goods, (non-bulk items)
Enter the number of pieces, except for bulk traffic, see below.
Bulk Traffic:
The number of packages associated with each bulked goods item should be determined using the examples below.
| Type of bulk movement | Quantity to be entered | Example commodities |
|---|---|---|
| Loose bulk | 1 | Grain, oil, loose conglomerates |
| Imports of energy through a fixed energy installation | 0 | Electricity or gas |
| Break bulk consignments | enter the number of separately (packaged) units for example, number of timber bundles or number of cars | Bundles of Timber/cars, mail bags |
For bulk traffic, enter ‘Loose Bulk’ or ‘Break Bulk’ in the shipping marks data element (DE 6/11).
Notes:
To provide compatibility with the Export Control System (ECS), this Data Element is restricted to ‘n..5’.
DE 6/11 Shipping Marks (Box 31: Packages and Description of Goods)
| Declaration Categories | Field format | No. of occurrences at header level | No. of occurrences at item level |
|---|---|---|---|
| C21e, C21e EIDR NOP | an..42 | NA | 99x |
This data element is not required on clearance requests using procedure code 00 19 in DE 1/10.
This data element is mandatory in all other cases.
All Declaration Categories:
Enter a free text description of any marks and numbers on transport units or packages.
Where there is one common identifying number for all of the packaging then only this number need be entered.
For unpackaged goods, enter ‘Unpackaged’.
Where goods are containerised, the container number can replace the shipping marks. It can be used as the reference number in both DE 6/11 (Shipping Marks) and DE 7/10 (Container Identification Number).
Bulk Traffic:
For bulk traffic, enter ‘Loose Bulk’ or ‘Break Bulk’ in the shipping marks data element.
Notes:
This data element may be used up to 99 times at item level.
A UCR or references used in the transport document (which allow the unambiguous identification of all packages in the consignment) may also be used instead of the shipping marks.
If there is insufficient space to record all the information, create another set of package details with the same kind of packages type code.
To provide compatibility with the Export Control System (ECS), this Data Element is restricted to ‘an..42’.
DE 6/12 UN Dangerous Goods Code
| Declaration Categories | Field format | No. of occurrences at header level | No. of occurrences at item level |
|---|---|---|---|
| C21e | an..4 | NA | 1x |
This data element is not required on clearance requests using procedure code 00 19 in DE 1/10.
This data element is only required on an EXS customs clearance request and where a UN dangerous goods code applies.
All Declaration Categories:
The UN dangerous goods code must be declared when applicable to the goods.
The codes are available on the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Website, please refer to the UN Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods - Model Regulations for details.
Notes
The United Nations Dangerous Goods identifier (UNDG) is the serial number assigned within the United Nations to substances and articles contained in a list of the dangerous goods most commonly carried.
To provide compatibility with the Export Control System (ECS), this data element is restricted to one Dangerous Goods Code per goods item.
DE 6/14 Commodity Code — Combined Nomenclature Code (Box 33: Commodity Code)
| Declaration Categories | Field format | No. of occurrences at header level | No. of occurrences at item level |
|---|---|---|---|
| C21e | an..8 | NA | 1x |
This data element is not required on clearance requests using procedure codes 00 18 or 00 19 in DE 1/10.
Controlled goods must not be cleared using EIDR therefore the commodity code is not required on EIDR NOP customs clearance requests.
In all other cases, DE 6/14 is only required where a document, licence or certificate has to be endorsed using the C21e.
All Declaration Categories:
Enter the Combined Nomenclature code number corresponding to the item in question.
Enter the first 8 digits of the code for the goods described in DE 6/8 Description of Goods as set out in the CDS Declaration and Customs Clearance Request Instructions. The code number should be selected in accordance with the directions of the UK Integrated Online Tariff or the Northern Ireland Online Tariff.
Notes:
Information and guidance on selecting the correct commodity codes can be found in the UK Integrated Online Tariff or the Northern Ireland Online Tariff. The length of the codes varies according to the nature of the goods, and whether or not they are subject to any Tariff measure requirements.
The entry of a commodity code constitutes a legal declaration as to the nature and duty liability for the goods and is a core determinant of the export formalities and commercial policy measures to which the goods will be subjected.
Appendix 5: DE 2/3: Documents and Other Reference Codes contains details of all document and other reference codes, a description of their usage and provides guidance on the details to be declared against each code. Please refer to Appendix 5: DE 2/3: Documents and Other Reference Codes to identify any specific completion requirements for any document codes which may be required by the commodity code.
Failure to declare the correct commodity code may render the legal declarant liable to penalties or other sanctions under the applicable legislation.