EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR)
What you need to know
The new EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) is a part of the European Green Deal initiative.
The stated goal is to minimise the European Union market’s impact on global deforestation, forest degradation and biodiversity loss.
It is also designed to promote deforestation-free supply chains, reduce the EU’s contribution to greenhouse gas emissions and protect human rights and the rights of Indigenous people.
Timeline: EUDR applies to all products placed on the market or exported from December 30, 2025. There is a longer period of transition for micro and small enterprises until June 30, 2026.
What it means for you
Eligible goods
If you import or export the following goods to any of the EU27 Member States*, then you will be required to prove that these goods do not originate from recently deforested areas or contribute to forest degradation:
- palm oil
- cattle
- soy
- coffee
- cocoa
- timber
- rubber
- palm oil
- cattle
- soy
- coffee
- cocoa
- timber
- rubber
Products derived from those commodities (such as beef, furniture, or chocolate) are also in scope as are commodities and their derivatives being re-imported into the EU and being released for free circulation.
You must consider the impact of the EUDR on your supply chain and prepare for the new obligations. It is your responsibility to ensure that the items entering or leaving the EU market meet the regulation requirements. If such products do not comply with the EUDR, they cannot be placed on the EU market or exported from the EU.
5 steps to EUDR Compliance
We’ll guide you through the key steps to help ensure smoother customs clearance and timely delivery of your goods.
Under EUDR, any operator or trader placing listed commodities or products on the EU market or exporting them from it, must demonstrate that these goods do not originate from recently deforested areas or contribute to forest degradation. This verification is documented through a Due Diligence Statement (DDS) submitted on the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) portal.
Follow the steps that best match your business
Determine if your products are covered
- Check the EU Commission’s list to check if you are importing goods that fall under the scope of the deforestation regulation.
- If your products are not listed: No action is required at this time.
- If your products are listed: Proceed to Step 2.
Confirm your company size
- Refer to the EU Commission’s definition to determine if your business qualifies as a large or medium-size company.
- If not classified as large or medium: No immediate action is needed, but you need to prepare for when you need to know about your supply chain and the origin of your goods. FedEx may contact you to confirm your company size.
- If classified as large or medium: Continue to Step 3.
Understand your supply chain
You must know the exact origin of the products, including:
- Geolocation of the product site (farm/forest)
- Manufacturer details
If this information is missing, work with your shipper to trace the supply chain to obtain it. Once confirmed, proceed to Step 4.
Register on the EUDR portal
Register now as an economic operator on the EU Commission’s Deforestation Regulation portal.
- Upload geolocation and origin details for each product.
- Submit a Due Diligence Statement (DDS) confirming the products are deforestation-free.
- You will receive a DDS reference number for each compliant product.
Note: A DDS reference number is only issued if goods are confirmed deforestation-free.
Share DDS information with FedEx
The best way to avoid delays is to register early so your shipper can include the DDS number for each product on the commercial invoice and AWB, before shipping.
When the shipment is on its way, FedEx may reach out to you to confirm:
- The DDS number
- If an exemption is applicable
- That you are unable to obtain a DDS
Please respond promptly to any FedEx requests to avoid shipment delays or storage costs while awaiting customs clearance.
Determine if your products are covered
- Check the EU Commission’s list of EUDR regulated commodities and products.
- If not listed: no action is required.
- If listed: Proceed to Step 2.
Confirm your company size
- Refer to the EU Commission’s definition to determine whether you are classified as a large or medium-sized company.
- If not classified as large or medium: No immediate action is needed, but start finding out about your supply chain and the origin of your goods, because you will need it.
- If classified as large or medium: Continue to Step 3.
Understand your supply chain
You must know the exact origin of your products, including:
- Geolocation of the product site (farm/forest)
- Manufacturer details
If this information is missing, trace your supply chain to obtain it. Once confirmed proceed to Step 4.
Register on the EUDR portal
Register now as an economic operator on the EU Commission’s Deforestation Regulation portal.
- Upload geolocation and origin details for each product.
- Submit a Due Diligence Statement (DDS) confirming the products are deforestation-free.
- You will receive a DDS reference number for each compliant product.
Note: A DDS reference number is only issued if goods are confirmed deforestation-free.
Share your DDS information with FedEx
Include one of the following on both your commercial invoice and AWB:
- The DDS number
- Confirmation of any applicable exemption
- Statement saying that you are unable to obtain a DDS
Please respond promptly to any FedEx requests to avoid shipment delays or storage costs while awaiting customs clearance.
Determine if your products are covered
- Check the EU Commission’s list to check if you are exporting goods that fall under the scope of the deforestation regulation.
- If your products are not listed: No action is required.
- If you’re products are listed: Proceed to Step 2.
Confirm your company size
- Ask your EU receiver if they are classified as a large or medium-sized company as per the EU Commission definitions.
- If not classified as large or medium: No further action is needed.
- If classified as large or medium: Continue to Step 3.
Understand your supply chain
You must know the exact origin of your products, including:
- Geolocation of the product site (farm/forest)
- Manufacturer details
If this information is missing, trace your supply chain back to the original source to obtain it. Once confirmed, proceed to Step 4.
Register on the EUDR portal
Your EU receiver should register now as an economic operator on the EU Commission’s Deforestation Regulation portal.
- They can upload geolocation and origin details for each product before arrival.
- They will need to submit a Due Diligence Statement (DDS) confirming the product is from a deforestation-free zone.
- A DDS number for each compliant product will be provided.
Note: A DDS reference number is only issued if goods are confirmed deforestation-free.
Share DDS information with FedEx
Request the DDS number from your EU receiver and ensure it is included on your commercial invoice and AWB.
Please respond promptly to any FedEx requests to avoid shipment delays or storage costs while awaiting customs clearance.
EUDR Tips
- Only businesses (operators and traders) need to register. Private consumers are exempt.
- The EUDR portal is open for registration. Complete this now, the Portal validation may take time.
- Don’t forget EUDR applies to each individual item within a shipment.
- Packaging, carton or pallet solely used to support, carry or protect a product is not covered by EUDR and does not require registration.
- User manuals, leaflets, catalogues, marketing material, labels all fall under exemption, unless they are the product in their own right.
- A shipper sending to an EU receiver can provide EUDR details in advance.
- Keep all EUDR documentation and supporting evidence for at least 5 years.
- A DDS must include: geolocation coordinates, quantity, country of production and AWB reference.
- EU Commission site has a training video on what you need to do and know.
- EU Commission has FAQs which are maintained and updated regularly.
- EU27 is defined as the 27 Member States*
- Products are defined by Harmonized System (HS) code, so it is important to be accurate with your description and to apply the correct HS code.
- Storage charges may apply if shipments are held while waiting for EUDR information.
It is important to work with FedEx and respond promptly when asked for EUDR details, so shipments are customs cleared quickly and on their way, as soon as possible.
The information provided on this page does not constitute legal, tax, finance, accounting, or trade advice, but is designed to provide general information relating to business and commerce. Its content, information, and services are not a substitute for obtaining the advice of a competent professional, for example a licensed attorney, law firm, accountant, or financial adviser.
* EU27 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.
- Only businesses (operators and traders) need to register. Private consumers are exempt.
- The EUDR portal is open for registration. Complete this now, the Portal validation may take time.
- Don’t forget EUDR applies to each individual item within a shipment.
- Packaging, carton or pallet solely used to support, carry or protect a product is not covered by EUDR and does not require registration.
- User manuals, leaflets, catalogues, marketing material, labels all fall under exemption, unless they are the product in their own right.
- A shipper sending to an EU receiver can provide EUDR details in advance.
- Keep all EUDR documentation and supporting evidence for at least 5 years.
- A DDS must include: geolocation coordinates, quantity, country of production and AWB reference.
- EU Commission site has a training video on what you need to do and know.
- EU Commission has FAQs which are maintained and updated regularly.
- EU27 is defined as the 27 Member States*
- Products are defined by Harmonized System (HS) code, so it is important to be accurate with your description and to apply the correct HS code.
- Storage charges may apply if shipments are held while waiting for EUDR information.
It is important to work with FedEx and respond promptly when asked for EUDR details, so shipments are customs cleared quickly and on their way, as soon as possible.
The information provided on this page does not constitute legal, tax, finance, accounting, or trade advice, but is designed to provide general information relating to business and commerce. Its content, information, and services are not a substitute for obtaining the advice of a competent professional, for example a licensed attorney, law firm, accountant, or financial adviser.
* EU27 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.
Please visit the following pages for more information:
- European Commission Guidelines on EUDR
- The Deforestation Due Diligence Registry - European Commission
- European Commission definition of a small and medium enterprise
- Register for DDS/Log in - EUDR
- Regulation on Deforestation-free products - Environment
- European Commission Guidelines on EUDR
- The Deforestation Due Diligence Registry - European Commission
- European Commission definition of a small and medium enterprise