M/548 - Postal services

This document provides the semantic mapping description of information on the characteristics or
attributes of Low Value Consignments (LVC) which parties in the digital commercial value chain acrossborders
are called upon to handle, compliant to the EU VAT Ecommerce Package as well as the UPU-WCO
customs model.
This document is limited to LVC, the logical definition of an electronic message, which supports the
communication of information about postal items with a unique transport unit identifier.
While different customs processes apply to LVC (goods ≤ €150), and consignments exceeding an intrinsic
value of > €150, this technical specification only applies to LVC. Therefore, it applies to the collection of
import duties (VAT) and not to customs fees.
The document defines both EDIFACT directory 00A and XML implementations to bridge in a semantic
mapping between UPU M33 ITMATT messages and the EU customs data model and its super-reduced
data set, that can be used to convey item-level data for use in customs processing applications.
The document specifies that the supply of certain attribute values, segments and tags is mandatory (M),
whilst the supply of other attributes, segments and tags is specified as optional (O).
This document separates the financial, the data-elements and the physical flow of low value
consignments. Further it defines the use of unique transport identifiers, unique transaction identifiers
and the IOSS VAT Identification number.

The current and future infrastructure to satisfy the changing needs of citizens in the EU will grant access
to wider postal stakeholders, including customers, postal suppliers, supply chain service providers, (i.e.
customs, fiscal authorities collecting VAT and related duties, transport providers like airlines or rail road
and other transport mode operators, non-profit organisations supporting supply chain traceability, etc.)
non-designated economic postal operators (Courier-, Express-, and Parcel delivery operators) that use,
or may wish to use products, services and solutions currently restricted to designated operators.
This document aims at the provision of a Single Digital Market in Europe is at the focus within CEN, in
particular:
• maintaining the integrity and independence of the European and worldwide delivery network
• no unfair advantage to any group or individual player, and thereby providing a level playing field
• clear delineation of the responsibilities and roles of all entities involved
• transparent management, control and integration of the postal supply chain as legally described in
EU legislation (EU Regulation 2018/644 on cross-border parcel delivery services)
• reciprocity of interconnection with other stakeholder networks, as applicable
• proper security mechanisms in place to ensure data protection and privacy
to provide the necessary implementation guidance of EAD for fiscal duties (VAT et al.), customs and
transport security.
The current MoU between the UPU and CEN offers the foundation to convert UPU specifications only
applicable to designated postal operators into open CEN specifications. The creation of a digital single
market has significant implications on cross border commerce and related delivery of merchandise.
This document provides the necessary implementation guidance. It is based on be the technical report
“Postal Services — Electronic advanced data (EAD) in postal operations compliant to security and
customs requirements”.
The document is based on the semantic mapping description of information on the characteristics or
attributes of Low Value Consignments (LVC) which parties in the digital commercial value chain acrossborders
are called upon to handle, compliant to the EU VAT Ecommerce Package as well as the UPU-WCO
customs model. It gives guidance by defining the use of unique transport identifiers, unique transaction
identifiers and the IOSS VAT Identification number.

2020-07-08 - TC - Correction of two formats in rows "Item identifier" and "Additional barcode" in Table 1

This European Standard specifies methods for measuring the end-to-end transit time of domestic and cross-border Single Piece Priority Mail (SPPM), collected, processed and delivered by postal service operators. It considers methods using representative end-to-end samples for all types of single piece priority mail services for addressed mail with defined transit-time service levels offered to the customer. This standard is applicable to the measurement of End-to-End priority mail services.
The standardized QoS-measurement method provides a uniform way for measuring the end-to-end transit time of postal items. Using a standardized measurement method will assure that the measurement will be done in an objective and equal way for all operators in accordance with the requirements of the Postal Directive 97/67/EC and its amendments.
This European Standard is mandatory and mainly used for performance measurement connected to requirements of the Universal Postal Service; domestic and international (UNEX).

This technical specification describes the technical features of digital, optional online connected, opening and closing systems for parcel receptacles for home use with free access for the delivery and collection operators and consumers.

This document will specify the interface between the e-merchant (any commercial customer sending parcels) and the first logistic operator, including both public and private carriers. For the application of this document, a cross border parcel is a parcel crossing a border into and within Europe.
The interface composed on two items:
- the physical label attached on the parcel: contents, sizes, minimum requirements to guarantee the quality and efficiency of the logistic process (sorting, delivery).
- the electronic exchanges between the sender and the logistic operator with the description of the data to be provided, the forma of the exchanges.
While designated operators of UPU have drawn up business requirements using proprietary standards and related data components, online merchants have developed open, not‐for‐profit standards for final delivery which are integrated into their existing supply chain management environment.
The document aims to specify the interface between the e‐merchant (any commercial customer sending parcels) and the first logistic operator composed by incorporating the 3 elements:
- physical label attached to the parcel with information for item identification;
- electronic exchanges between the sender and the logistic operator concerning parcels dispatch;
- data needed for various delivery chain parts, in particular final delivery to the recipient, in order to facilitate exchange between the item‐specific identifiers.
NOTE 1 The last element enables the growth of integrated, data‐driven systems which support highly efficient and customer‐driven cross‐border ecommerce. This reflects the current trend to B‐to‐B‐to‐C delivery solutions in the European and international cross border e‐commerce markets. Delivery from original source to final consumer can be split over more than one service provider.
NOTE 2 C‐to‐B‐to‐B‐to‐C solutions will be an extension, in particular when returns are specified. The “first C” would indicate that consumers wishing to return items, or induct items themselves, will be able to print labels following the fundamentals specified in this standard.
E‐merchant exchange data with logistic operators (i.e. the postal operators, but not limited to those designated to fulfil the rights and obligations of UPU member countries) to help, simplify and enable the consequential logistic and transactional tasks. The establishment of common definitions and electronic formats, safeguards the reliability and decreases the overall costs by avoiding software development costs, multiple printing equipment, over‐labelling during the process, and the manual sorting. reliability and decreases the overall costs by avoiding software development costs, multiple printing equipment, over‐labelling during the process, and the manual sorting.

This document will specify the interface between the e-merchant (any commercial customer sending parcels) and the first logistic operator, including both public and private carriers. For the application of this document, a cross border parcel is a parcel crossing a border into and within Europe.
The interface composed on two items:
- the physical label attached on the parcel: contents, sizes, minimum requirements to guarantee the quality and efficiency of the logistic process (sorting, delivery).
- the electronic exchanges between the sender and the logistic operator with the description of the data to be provided, the forma of the exchanges.
While designated operators of UPU have drawn up business requirements using proprietary standards and related data components, online merchants have developed open, not‐for‐profit standards for final delivery which are integrated into their existing supply chain management environment.
The document aims to specify the interface between the e‐merchant (any commercial customer sending parcels) and the first logistic operator composed by incorporating the 3 elements:
- physical label attached to the parcel with information for item identification;
- electronic exchanges between the sender and the logistic operator concerning parcels dispatch;
- data needed for various delivery chain parts, in particular final delivery to the recipient, in order to facilitate exchange between the item‐specific identifiers.
NOTE 1 The last element enables the growth of integrated, data‐driven systems which support highly efficient and customer‐driven cross‐border ecommerce. This reflects the current trend to B‐to‐B‐to‐C delivery solutions in the European and international cross border e‐commerce markets. Delivery from original source to final consumer can be split over more than one service provider.
NOTE 2 C‐to‐B‐to‐B‐to‐C solutions will be an extension, in particular when returns are specified. The “first C” would indicate that consumers wishing to return items, or induct items themselves, will be able to print labels following the fundamentals specified in this standard.
E‐merchant exchange data with logistic operators (i.e. the postal operators, but not limited to those designated to fulfil the rights and obligations of UPU member countries) to help, simplify and enable the consequential logistic and transactional tasks. The establishment of common definitions and electronic formats, safeguards the reliability and decreases the overall costs by avoiding software development costs, multiple printing equipment, over‐labelling during the process, and the manual sorting. reliability and decreases the overall costs by avoiding software development costs, multiple printing equipment, over‐labelling during the process, and the manual sorting.

This document is a feasibility study that was carried out to explore the use of real mail data in measurement of the transit time of end-to-end services for single piece cross-border priority mail. In this document a description is given of the context, the way this study was carried out, the results of the study and the advice given to CEN/TC 331 Postal services and, finally, CEN and the European Commission.

A feasibility study to explore the use of real mail data in measurement of the transit time of end-to-end services for single piece crossborder priority mail.

This European Standard specifies methods for measuring the end-to-end transit time of domestic and cross-border Single Piece Priority Mail (SPPM), collected, processed and delivered by postal service operators. It considers methods using representative end-to-end samples for all types of single piece priority mail services for addressed mail with defined transit-time service levels offered to the customer. This standard is applicable to the measurement of End-to-End priority mail services.
The standardized QoS-measurement method provides a uniform way for measuring the end-to-end transit time of postal items. Using a standardized measurement method will assure that the measurement will be done in an objective and equal way for all operators in accordance with the requirements of the Postal Directive 97/67/EC and its amendments.
This European Standard is mandatory and mainly used for performance measurement connected to requirements of the Universal Postal Service; domestic and international (UNEX).

2020-07-08 - TC - Correction of two formats in rows "Item identifier" and "Additional barcode" in Table 1

The objective of this document is to define the framework for secure, trustworthy and user-friendly opening systems for parcel boxes for home use. Particular attention is given to facilitating secure electronic authentication of the delivery operator. This document exists considering the Standardization request M/548 from the European Commission and it aims to solve the lack of operability between parcel box manufacturers and delivery operators.
Therefore, this document describes the minimal requirements of a digital, optional online connected, opening and closing system for parcel boxes and prerequisites to create favourable conditions of interoperability between all market participants.
This document is designed to fit with solutions already on the market and define the good practices and pathway for future systems. It adopts an approach which is open to innovation. It is expected to be possible to achieve the necessary requirements through different technologies.
The systems of opening rights are intended to open parcel boxes as defined in CEN/TS 16819. However, the specification is extended to other receptacle solutions, in the frame of the home use (e.g. garage door, bags, etc.), when these receptacle solutions are compliant with the requirements of CEN/TS 16819 when the case allows.

The scope will be defined during the preliminary stage.

The scope will be defined during the preliminary stage.