Managing Batches with the Universal Reference Numbers

Overview

Two universal reference numbers exist under the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). Operators may use them in customs declarations in two specific situations: for products placed on the market during the transitional period, and for re-imports of products that already went through regular due diligence. This article explains what the two universal reference numbers are and how they can be utilized in the osapiens Supplier Portal.

Background

The EU has introduced conventional reference numbers that operators can use in the customs declaration instead of a regular DDS reference number from the Information System. Which number applies depends on the situation.

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.

For re-imports of products that already underwent due diligence, see the European Commission page Understand roles and responsibilities under the EU Deforestation Regulation.

Which universal reference number applies?

99EU9999999999: Transitional products

The universal DDS reference number for transitional products 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 99EU9999999999 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.

This universal reference number applies only to export and reimport activities, not to initial market placement.

22EU2222222222: Re-imports without upstream reference numbers

The universal DDS reference number for re-imports is: 22EU2222222222

A company that re-imports relevant products can be considered a downstream operator if it can demonstrate that the products, or all relevant products contained in them, were already placed on the EU market and have therefore already been subject to due diligence. For such re-imports, the re-importer states the reference number(s) received from its supplier(s) in the customs declaration. If the supplier did not provide any reference number, the re-importer can use the conventional reference number 22EU2222222222 instead.

You may use the conventional DDS reference number 22EU2222222222 if all of the following conditions are met:

✓ You re-import relevant products that were already placed on the EU market and have therefore already gone through regular due diligence.

✓ You can demonstrate this.

✓ You never received the upstream DDS reference number(s) from your supplier.

If your supplier did provide the reference number(s), state those in the customs declaration instead.

From November 2026, the osapiens Supplier Portal will also accept the universal reference number 22EU2222222222.

How do I submit a universal reference number for a batch?

You can submit a universal reference number in the same way that you submit any other DDS reference number – there is no separate flow.

1. On the page PRODUCTS, open the relevant product and go to Batches.

2. Select Create a new batch (or open an existing batch).

3. Complete the steps 01 Batch details and 02 Products of the wizard.

4. In step 03 Which due diligence statements are related to this batch?, enter the applicable value in the Reference number field: 99EU9999999999 for products placed on the market during the transitional period. From November 2026, you will also be able to enter 22EU2222222222 for re-imports.

5. Leave Verification number and Timestamp empty. No real DDS was ever issued for this batch, so there is nothing to enter here.

6. Optionally, fill out 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.

Which confirmation does the Supplier Portal require before accepting the number?

Because 99EU9999999999 is a reserved value, the osapiens Supplier Portal recognizes it automatically and opens a confirmation dialog before it lets you continue.

Important

The conventional DDS reference number 99EU9999999999 must only be used for eligible products placed on the European 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 button Confirm use 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 99EU9999999999 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