Beginning March 1, 2023, all goods (except documents) being shipped into or transiting through the EU*, Northern Ireland, Norway and Switzerland will require the following additional data fields:

• Detailed goods description
• Six-digit Harmonized System (HS) codes for each commodity listed on the commercial invoice.
• Economic Operators Registration and Identification (EORI) number (see EU guidance) for your recipient

Information previously required:

• Shipper name
• Shipper address
• Recipient name
• Recipient address
• Number of packages
• Gross weight
• Air waybill identifier (shipping label/tracking number)

These fields are mandatory and apply to all goods (except documents), regardless of value.  Exporters will be required to submit this additional information in eShipGlobal in order for the shipment to proceed. 

eShipGlobal has made several application changes to reflect this new requirement.

• A new ‘HS Code Lookup’ link has been added to the ‘Item Selection’ page.  If the user does not have the item’s Harmonized System Code, this link will help the user classify the item(s) that will be shipped.  The user must enter a minimum 6-digit HTS code to complete the shipment.

• A new ‘Recipient EORI Number / Tax ID’ field has been added to the ‘Shipment Creation and Documentation’ page.  This information can be found under the ‘Customs Information’ section.  Shippers must obtain the EORI Number from the recipient prior to submitting a shipment in eShipGlobal. 

Application logic in eShipGlobal has been implemented to reflect these requirements.  Omitting this information will stop the shipment from being completed.

The International Shipment Form, which can be used for shipments outside of eShipGlobal has also been updated to reflect this change.  A new copy of the form is available on the Export Control website.

A training video related to this requirement is available in Media Central. 

If you have further questions about this new requirement, please contact [email protected]

*EU countries are: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden.

Beginning June 29, 2020, an additional step will be required for shipments (excluding documents) to China, Russia, or Venezuela, regardless of whether you use eShipGlobal or ship directly through one of the major carriers, and regardless of the value of the shipment. Electronic Export Information (EEI) filing in the Automated Export System will be required to obtain an ITN (Internal Transaction Number) prior to shipment.[i] To avoid significant delays, please gather the following information for each item in your package before attempting any shipment to these destinations:

• Whether the item is of domestic or foreign origin
• Schedule B/Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) Number: 10-digit commodity classification code
  • Schedule B/HTS look-up tool: https://uscensus.prod.3ceonline.com/
  • For commercial items, the vendor/manufacturer will be able to provide this code (either published online or by request)
• Princeton Tax ID Number (EIN): 
  • 21-0634501
• Product description: Sufficiently detailed description of each item being shipped.
  • Good descriptions: Xilinx FPGA kit, rabbit polyclonal IL-6 antibody, Award Plaque, Cotton T- shirts
  • Poor descriptions: electronic components, research sample, protein, exempt specimen, gift box
• ECCN: Export Control Classification Number
  • For commercial items, please contact the vendor/manufacturer to obtain the ECCN. Many companies publish this information online.
  • If you do not know the ECCN, please contact [email protected] for assistance.

**Note that EACH item in the shipment must be listed separately on both the EEI form AND in eShipGlobal.**

Process:

1. Complete the EEI form and submit it to the appropriate carrier (i.e., FedEx or UPS) and copy [email protected].  The EEI form is available in eShipGlobal when entering your shipment information.  Instructions for completing the EEI are available on the form.
2. An ITN will be returned to you via email. 
3. Forward the email containing the ITN to [email protected] so that it may be entered for your shipment.
4. After your shipment has been approved in eShipGlobal, you will be able to print the Airwaybill (i.e., shipping label) and other documentation for your shipment. 

Please be sure to include three signed copies of the Commercial Invoice on the outside of the package (behind the Airwaybill).  The Commercial Invoice is available by clicking on “Print Required Documents” in eShipGlobal.

Below is an example of the level of detail required to file EEI and obtain an ITN for your shipment:

All express carrier shipments, such as those through FedEx, UPS or DHL should be made via the eShipGlobal tool available on the Prime website. To help you get started, eShipGlobal training is available.

The Office of Finance and Treasury offers the eShip Global Quick Reference Guide to assist you with the use of the tool.

The INTERNTIONAL SHIPMENT FORM (found under the Guidance section on this page) should be used when shipping items internationally and not using eShipGlobal.

International shipments of large, heavy, or high-value items may be shipped via of one of Princeton’s authorized customs brokers, which serve as an alternative to the express carriers.

American River Logistics, LTD
Contact: Vanessa Gonzalez
Phone: 732-947-5487
Email: [email protected]
Web: [email protected]

Walker SCM
Contact: Maria Hill
Phone: 516-568-2080
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.walkerscm.com

The INTERNATIONAL SHIPMENT FORM (found under the Guidance section on this page) should be used when shipping items internationally and not using other prescribed methods recommended at Princeton.

If you are exporting items from the United States or to multiple locations overseas that will be returned within a 12-month period, you should consider the use of an ATA Carnet. A carnet exempts the item(s) from duties and import taxes, and may be used multiple times in multiple countries during the 12-month validity period.

The ATA Carnet program includes 86 participating countries. The shipment must be stamped by a Customs Officer each time it crosses a border—for example, when exiting the United States, entering Germany, exiting Germany, entering the Brazil, exiting Brazil, and re-entering the United States,

Note: A carnet does not exempt the shipment from export license requirements.

The INTERNATIONAL SHIPMENT FORM (found under the Guidance section on this page) should be used when shipping items internationally and not using other prescribed methods recommended at Princeton.

The ITAR and EAR both control various types of chemicals, explosives, and biological pathogens, as well as items and technologies associated with the development and production of those items. Even certain types of biosafety equipment may require an export license prior to shipment overseas, or prior to sharing technical data regarding the equipment with non-U.S. persons.  

For a list of controlled materials, please see the links on this page.

Note: Contact Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) for assistance with these shipments.

The INTERNATIONAL SHIPMENT FORM (found under the Guidance section on this page) should be used when shipping items internationally and not using EHS prescribed shipping requirements.