EMS supporting the adoption of Electronic Advance Data

EMS members are implementing Electronic Advance Data (EAD) because it is mandatory for security reasons and in order to speed up customs clearance and delivery at destination.  EAD is the digital transmission of information about an item that is being sent internationally prior the physical arrival at destination country. 

Transmission of EAD is mandatory under Universal Postal Union Regulations. Some national and regional legislation require EAD in advance, and therefore, EAD transmission upon arrival is needed, and without EAD, shipments are at risk of delayed customs acceptance, and in many cases, denial of entry. An example of enforcement in 2021 is the United States STOP Act, which strengthens the requirement of EAD to combat efforts to smuggle dangerous and illicit items into the country. Adhering to the highest standards of EAD transmission, regardless of the destination country, ensures the least resistance when shipping items cross border.

Support for EMS members

The UPU’s Customs Declaration System (CDS) is a solution to help postal operators comply with EAD requirements. Using CDS allows customers the convenient option of completing the Customs Declaration label in advance. The details of the form will be used to inform the customs authorities about the content of postal items and will help to speed up the clearance process and delivery at destination.  CDS allows operators to import customs information through a generated, scannable barcode and QR code for customs agencies to scan upon a shipment’s arrival. For operators, this is a useful tool to help gain familiarity with the requirements of various destination countries for cross border shipments, and a great example of the UPU’s commitment to serving the needs of postal operators worldwide.

To support the adoption of EAD, the EMS Cooperative has recently developed an eLearning course to help EMS staff around the world understand EAD requirements and the importance of sending electronic data in advance, both in regulatory and operational perspectives.  

Electronic Advanced Data is a necessity in today’s world of cross border shipping. By using EAD, postal operators are not only fulfilling customs requirements, but also leveraging a tool that provides data insights on their own operations. In an industry that competes on the basis of shipment speed and prioritization, EAD is critical for postal operators to take full advantage of maximizing the service that EMS provides.