EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR)

The EU Deforestation Regulation aims to minimize the EU’s impact on global deforestation, land degradation, biodiversity loss and carbon emissions.

Businesses commercially importing products covered by the EUDR to the EU, or exporting them from the EU, must submit a Due Diligence Statement (DDS) reference number. This reference number is required for both B2B and B2C commercial activities.

If you are shipping commodities or derived products covered by the EUDR you should ensure that the DDS reference number is available to customs to avoid potential holds and delivery delays. Please see below for more information on DDS.

If you are a business based in the EU purchasing impacted goods from an EU based supplier for export outside the EU, you will need to obtain the DDS reference number from your supplier and provide it on the commercial invoice for export clearance purposes.

To be compliant, products must:

• Originate from land where no deforestation has occurred since December 31, 2020*
• Be fully traceable down to the specific origin farm or plantation

For the full list of products in scope and exclusions please refer to: Regulation - 2023/1115 and Delegated regulation - EU - 2026/2102.

* Land cleared after December 31, 2020 cannot be used for agriculture; however, land that naturally regenerates into forest following events such as fires may regain compliance over time.

Meeting the following criteria indicates that your organization is required to comply with the EU Deforestation Regulation:

• You export goods from the EU27 or import goods into the EU27
• You export or import impacted goods

If you are a medium-sized or large operator* you need to ensure compliance by December 30, 2026.

If you are a micro or small operator* you are required to ensure compliance by June 30, 2027.

If you are not exporting from the EU or importing to the EU any of the relevant goods, you are currently not impacted by the regulation. Shifts in market dynamics, business operations or regulatory updates may bring your products into scope at a later date. We recommend bookmarking this page for future reference.

* Company size is determined per legal entity using a “2 out of 3” test (balance sheet, turnover, employees).

Medium-sized and large is defined as any operator meeting at least two of the following three criteria: More than €5M balance sheet total, more than €10M net turnover, more than 50 employees.

Micro and small is defined as any operator meeting at least two of the following three criteria: Up to €5M balance sheet total, up to €10M net turnover, up to 50 employees.

To ensure you are compliant with the regulation, follow these steps:

• Collect the geolocation data of the production site of your goods, as well as the manufacturer’s details.
• Submit this information using the Due Diligence Statement (DDS) form on the EU Commission’s Deforestation Regulation portal. Businesses placing products covered by the EUDR on the EU market, or exporting them from the EU, in a commercial transaction are responsible for creating the DDS and providing the reference number to UPS when creating a UPS shipment.
• If the goods pass the EU Commission's due diligence process, a DDS number or multiple DDS numbers will be issued. DDS numbers are assigned at the item level.
• Ensure it is part of the commercial invoice and have it available prior to shipment to avoid customs delays.
• Provide complete data to avoid customs holds, exposing shipments to potential additional charges.

Registration & Portal Setup

• Registration is strictly required for businesses (operators and traders); private consumers are fully exempt.
• The EUDR portal is open for registration. Register immediately, as portal validation can take time.

Scope & Product Exemptions

• EUDR applies on an item-by-item basis within every shipment.
• Products are categorized strictly by Harmonized System (HS) codes — accurate descriptions and correct HS classifications are critical.
• Packaging, cartons or pallets used exclusively to carry, support or protect products are exempt from registration.
• Technical documentation, user manuals, leaflets, catalogues, marketing materials and labels are exempt unless sold as independent commercial products.
• For the full list of products in scope and exclusions please refer to Regulation - 2023/1115 and Delegated regulation - EU - 2026/2102.

Documentation & Compliance Requirements

• Due Diligence Statements (DDS) must contain exact geolocation coordinates, quantities, the country of production and the Air Waybill (AWB) reference.
• Maintain all EUDR documentation and supporting evidence for a minimum of 5 years.
• If you purchase relevant commodities or derived products from another supplier within the EU, you should confirm whether a DDS reference number(s) already exists for those products and what EUDR obligations remain applicable to your business. Where products have already been placed on the EU market by an upstream operator, downstream operators may in certain circumstances rely on an existing DDS reference number.

Primary Regulations & Official Portals

• Regulation on Deforestation-free Products (EU Environment): The core legislative overview and policy details provided by the European Commission.
• Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/2102: Amendment to Regulation (EU) 2023/1115 regarding the list of relevant commodities and products.
• EUDR Due Diligence System (DDS) Registration & Login: The official portal where businesses register and submit their electronic Due Diligence Statements (DDS).

Official Guidance & Implementation Tools

• European Commission Official Guidelines on EUDR: Detailed technical guidance documents explaining terms, supply chain roles and compliance requirements.
• European Commission official training videos and FAQs: EU Commission training videos and regularly updated FAQs on registering and generating a Due Diligence Statement (DDS) in the EUDR Information System — a module within the EU's broader TRACES NT system.

Business Scope & Classification Standards

• SME Definition Criteria (European Commission): Official guidance clarifying company size classifications (e.g. Micro, Small, Medium) to determine specific EUDR compliance timelines and lighter administrative obligations.

Customers are solely responsible for compliance with their EUDR obligations. Any breach of applicable EUDR requirements shall be deemed a material breach of contract, and the customer shall indemnify and hold UPS harmless against any resulting claims, fines, penalties, losses, costs or liabilities.