Proof of Union Status (PoUS) is a trans-European system (TES) that ensures standardised exchange of administrative information between economic operators (EOs) or their representatives and customs authorities, and between customs authorities involved in the customs procedures of establishing PoUS.
Latest news
Launch of PoUS Phase 2: Customs Goods Manifest
On 15 August 2025, phase 2 of the PoUS system implementing the Customs Goods Manifest (CGM) was launched. It enables traders to manually submit PoUS requests for goods transported by sea in the form of CGM/CGMF data directly in the PoUS Specific Trader Portal (PoUS STP).
Once the Maritime National Single Windows (MNSW) are operational in EU countries, traders will be able to submit CGM/CGMF data electronically by connecting to the MNSW, which communicates with the PoUS system. (More information are provided in the section below "Deployment of phase 2 - CGM").
Update of e-Learning courses
The eLearning courses on PoUS have been updated to include a chapter dedicated to the proof of Union Status of goods in the form of Customs Goods Manifest (CGM/CGMF).
Learners of both the Economic Operators’ and Customs Officers’ modules will be able to choose which chapter to follow (T2L/T2LF or CGM/CGMF) and to take an assessment at the end of the course.
Technical matters
Phase 2: Customs Goods Manifest
Phase 2 of the PoUS system implements the Customs Goods Manifest as proof of Union status for goods transported by sea (other than regular shipping service). It features new digital functionalities and additional support for maritime transport such as amendment of the CGM/CGMF proof and partial presentation of the CGM/CGMF proof in the customs offices of presentation in multiple EU countries.
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To ensure smooth deployment of phase 2, the European Commission has carried out conformance testing with EU countries and conducted several training sessions for national customs administrations. PoUS BO 2.1.0.0 & PoUS STP 2.1.0.0 have been officially in PROD since 15 August 2025. Phase 2 enables manual submission of CGM/CGMF proof endorsement requests via the PoUS STP user interface.
Phase 2 introduces a new functionality: the filing of proof requests via the Maritime National Single Window (MNSW), which connects to central PoUS via S2S connection. This allows customs to verify the master reference number (MRN), automatically confirm CGM proof presentation and endorse proof requests, thus confirming that the goods have Union status. If an EU country has not linked its MNSW to central PoUS, traders must manually fill in information about their goods in the PoUS STP.
Most EU countries have reported significant delays in MNSW deployment. The volume of proofs currently covered by shipping manifests also makes the manual registration process via PoUS STP impractical. The Commission has thus suggested that national customs administrations that are facing delays request a temporary derogation. The derogations allow EU countries to continue with the shipping company’s manifest, in accordance with Articles 126a (2-4) UCC Delegated Act.
Why is PoUS important?
The main objective of PoUS is to replace the paper procedure of T2L/T2LF and shipping companies’ manifests used to prove Union status of goods with an electronic system. The system makes T2L/T2LF and CGM data available to use when goods with Union status are moved between EU countries while leaving the EU customs territory temporarily.
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Goods transiting within the customs territory of the EU are assigned a customs status: Union or non-Union goods.
Union goods are either:
- wholly obtained in the customs territory of the Union,
- imported and released for free circulation, or
- are produced using the first two kinds of goods.
All goods that do not meet these requirements or have lost their Union status are considered non-Union goods (Union Customs Code, Article 5.23-24). In addition, Union goods may lose their status when they are temporarily taken out of the customs territory of the EU, except for specific cases (UCC Art. 154 and UCC Delegated Act Art. 119.2).
To prove Union status for goods in free circulation which have been brought from one point to another within the customs territory of the EU and temporarily leave that territory, two means are used: T2L or T2LF data and the Customs Goods Manifest (CGM) (UCC Implementing Act Art. 199.5).
The following types of proof are supported in the new PoUS:
- Phase 1 implements T2L and T2LF data. It was deployed on 1 March 2024. As of this date, EU countries and Economic Operators must have started using the new PoUS.
- Phase 2 implements the Customs Goods Manifest (CGM/CGMF). It was deployed on 15 August 2025.
Structure of PoUS
PoUS is a centralised system developed by the European Commission. However, EU countries have the possibility to develop their own national systems (like Poland and Spain).
National systems are connected to the repository of the central system. This hybrid solution allows all users to access PoUS for national Customs online services. The connection to the central PoUS ensures that all national proof data are also available centrally to all other EU countries.
The central PoUS has two main components:
- The PoUS Specific Trader Portal (PoUS-STP) - accessible through the EU Customs Trader Portal (EUCTP)
- The PoUS customs application Back Office (PoUS-BO) combined with the Central Repository (CR)
Access to PoUS
Economic operators, their customs representatives and their employees (referred to as Traders) can access the PoUS Specific Trader Portal (STP) via the EU Customs Trader Portal (EUCTP).
Access to EUCTP is managed through the Uniform User Management and Digital Signature System (UUM&DS) - an identity and access management platform to secure authorised access to EU Customs electronic systems. Traders requesting proof in Spain and Poland will access the specific national portal (or use other means provided by that EU country).
Traders will need a valid Economic Operator Identification and Registration (EORI) number and appropriate roles assigned in UUMDS to access the system. Once authenticated in the EUCTP, a trader can manage their own requests for proof in the PoUS STP module and interact with the system and customs authorities via notifications.
Customs officers can use the PoUS BO to handle requests for proof and presentation notifications.
How does PoUS work?
1. The trader accesses the EUCTP PoUS Specific Trader Portal and selects the option ‘Create T2L(F) Proof Request’
- If the user concerned is a person, their submission will be an endorsement request. If the economic operator is an Authorised Issuer, they will be asked to enter their Authorisation Number as well.
- When all the data has been filled in and the request submitted, PoUS validates the request by checking its compliance with the information stored in the interconnected databases.
2. The request is lodged via the PoUS BO at the Competent Customs Office (CCO).
- The customs authority assesses the request and can decide as follows:
- Neither controls on the goods nor additional documents are needed; or
- Additional controls on the goods and supplementary documents are required - a notification is sent to the EUCTP dashboard, explaining which documents are needed and for what reason.
The Trader can manage the submission of supplementary documents on the EUCTP dashboard or outside of the system (e.g., via mail or in person). The officer can save the documents in the system themself. In both cases, the user will receive a message when the documents are correctly registered at CCO.
3. Controls are carried out by the officer
- The results of the controls on the goods and documents are unsatisfactory - the request is declined, and a negative controls results notification is sent to the user together with an explanatory note.
- The results of the controls are satisfactory - the proof endorsement is confirmed, and the proof is registered.
The business process for registration requests follows a slightly different path to that for endorsement requests: in case of a registration request from an Authorised Issuer, controls are simplified and, if there is no decision on performing controls, the proof is automatically endorsed.
4. Master Reference Number (MRN)
A Master Reference Number (MRN) is issued by the PoUS-BO and the officer has the competence to confirm (or not) the requested validity period for the proof. This latter is stored in the Central Repository and made available for retrieval.
5. Confirmation notification
A confirmation notification for the registered proof is sent to the EUCTP dashboard. This confirmation contains all relevant data. The user can then consult and download the Status Registration Document (SRD).
Related systems
Customs Decisions Management System (CDS)
If the proof request is submitted by an Authorised Issuer, the PoUS system connects to the Customs Reference System (CRS) – which includes decisions from the Customs Decisions System (CDS) – and queries it to validate the authorisation (ACP).
European Maritime Single Window Environment (EMSWe)
PoUS is connected to the European Maritime Single Window Environment (EMSWe). It is possible for the National Single Windows (NSW) of the EMSWe to exchange information with PoUS for endorsement/registration and presentation purposes.
National Risk Analysis systems
National Risk Analysis systems can be connected to PoUS to streamline the PoUS process. Some national systems (e.g. Presentation Notification system) may be connected to PoUS to simplify the customs processes for the Economic Operator.
Legal texts
- Regulation (EU) No 952/2013 laying down the Union Customs Code
- Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2015/2446 supplementing Regulation (EU) No 952/2013 laying down the Union Customs Code
- Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/2447 for Regulation (EU) No 952/2013 laying down the Union Customs Code