Overview
A universal reference number may be used by operators exporting or reimporting transitional products under the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). This article explains what the universal reference number is.
Background
The EU has introduced a universal DDS reference number that operators can use for exports and reimports of transitional products. Transitional products are those that were initially placed on the EU market during the transitional period (between June 29, 2023, and the regulation's entry into application) or products derived from such products. For more details, see EUDR FAQ 9.2.
What is the Universal Reference Number?
The universal DDS reference number is: 99EU9999999999
This is a universal, uniform reference number that any operator may use when exporting or reimporting transitional products instead of obtaining a regular DDS reference number from the Information System.
You may use the conventional DDS reference number if both of the following conditions are met:
✓ The relevant product, or one or several components of a derived product, was initially placed on the market during the transitional period
✓ You have gathered evidence and can prove such initial market placement during the transitional period
The universal reference number applies only to export and reimport activities, not to initial market placement.
How do I submit the universal reference number for a batch?
You submit the universal reference number the same way you submit any other DDS reference number — there is no separate flow.
On the PRODUCTS page, open the relevant product and go to Batches.
Select Create a new batch (or open an existing batch).
Complete 01 Batch details and 02 Products.
In step 03 Which due diligence statements are related to this batch?, enter the following value in the Reference number field:
99EU9999999999Leave Verification number and Timestamp empty. No real DDS was ever issued for this batch, so there is nothing to enter here.
Optionally, fill in the Transitional-period evidence reference field. Use it to add context or a reference to the underlying transaction (for example, an internal document, contract, or order number) that supports your use of the universal reference number for this batch.
What confirmation does the portal require before accepting the number?
Because 99EU9999999999 is a reserved value, the Supplier Portal recognizes it automatically and opens a confirmation dialog before it lets you continue.
Important
The conventional DDS reference number must only be used for eligible products placed on the Union market during the applicable EUDR transitional period. It is a fixed value used when no real DDS reference number was ever issued.
To proceed, activate the checkbox:
"Our company declares that, in respect of this batch, the relevant product or at least one of its components was placed on the Union market during the applicable EUDR transitional period."
The Confirm use button stays disabled until this checkbox is activated. Selecting Cancel discards the entry and returns you to the reference number field.
Note
The declaration is confirmed per batch. If the universal reference number applies to several batches or products, you must activate the checkbox separately for each one.
Once confirmed, select Confirm use, then Add batch to complete the submission.
Summary / Checklist
Step | Action | Detail |
|---|---|---|
1 | Enter | Step 03 of batch creation, no verification number or timestamp needed |
2 | (Optional) Fill in Transitional-period evidence reference | Adds context or a reference to the transaction supporting the transitional-period use |
3 | Confirms the number is reserved for eligible transitional-period products only | Adds context or a reference to the transaction supporting the transitional-period use |
4 | Required before Confirm use becomes active; repeat for each batch | Required before Confirm use becomes active; repeat for each batch |
5 | Select Confirm use, then Add batch | Completes the submission |