Exporting to the EU: What Is a CUS Code and How to Obtain It
Introduction
When exporting chemicals to the European Union, companies may be asked to provide a CUS (Customs Union and Statistics) code during customs declaration. But what exactly is a CUS code, which substances require it, and how can businesses find or request one?
What Is a CUS Code?
The CUS code is linked to the European Customs Inventory of Chemical Substances (ECICS), an information tool managed by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Taxation and Customs Union (DG TAXUD). ECICS is designed to assist with the customs classification, identification, and description of chemical substances.
Updated daily, the ECICS database currently contains more than 49,000 chemical entries. Each substance listed in ECICS is assigned a unique CUS code — an eight-digit number separated by a hyphen (e.g., 0011481-8 for barium sulfide) — used for database searches and communication with customs authorities.
When Is a CUS Code Required?
For pure substances, companies are strongly encouraged to provide the designated CUS code and the correct chemical name listed in ECICS during customs clearance.
For mixtures and preparations without a specific CUS code, businesses are advised to submit a detailed product description. It is recommended to include information about the mixture’s composition in the name (e.g., “solution of… in…”, “mixture of… and…”, “based on…”, “containing…”) along with the CUS codes for the individual components where available.
How to Search for a CUS Code
To find a CUS code, follow these steps:
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Enter the chemical’s name, CAS number, EC number, or other identifying information in the search bar and click “Submit.”
(screenshot from the ECICS official website)
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Review the search results. For example, searching “barium sulfide” will show its CUS code as 0011481-8.
(screenshot from ECICS official website)
If a substance cannot be found in ECICS, companies may contact the relevant authorities and provide detailed information such as the chemical name, CAS number, composition, chemical structure, product description, Safety Data Sheet (SDS), and intended use.
Upon review, if the provided information is sufficient, the authorities may propose a customs classification and initiate the process of including the substance in the ECICS database. Assigning a new CUS code, however, can take several months.
Final Thoughts
Understanding and correctly using CUS codes is crucial for smooth customs clearance when exporting chemicals to the EU. Staying updated with ECICS and ensuring accurate product descriptions can help companies minimize delays and ensure regulatory compliance.
