Postal Supply Chain Integration

The various stakeholders in the postal supply chain work together to ensure a seamless experience for UPU members and their customers. The transversal activities undertaken by these stakeholders are described on this page.

Electronic advance data

In the context of aviation security, electronic advance data (EAD) may be incorporated as an additional layer that aims to identify potentially high-risk cargo and mail through risk assessments of item data. EAD complements existing aviation security controls and screening procedures for air cargo and mail, with minimal disruption to the supply chain.  

Items containing goods may be subject to specific import customs- and security-based requirements regarding EAD provision. EAD may be utilized by destination customs and security authorities to conduct advance risk assessments on international postal items. 

Under articles 08-002, 17-107 and 17-216 of the UPU Convention Regulations, as of 1 January 2021, DOs are required to capture and exchange EAD for international postal items containing goods, in order to comply with the specific import customs and security requirements laid down in those articles. 

The core principles on the use of EAD for aviation security and fiscal clearance purposes were adopted by the UPU Postal Operations Council (POC) at its February 2016 session. 

In addition, the joint World Customs Organization and International Civil Aviation Organization (WCO–ICAO) Guiding Principles for Pre-Loading Advance Cargo Information (PLACI) set out the general approach established to implement a PLACI system for aviation security purposes.

Moreover, there is a list of member countries and territories that have declared specific customs- or security-based requirements for the mandatory provision of EAD in accordance with 08-002.

  • Pre-Loading Advance Cargo Information (PLACI)
    21.02.2022
    Guiding principles prepared jointly by the World Customs Organization (WCO) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)
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EAD roadmap

The roadmap for EAD implementation was a result of the adoption of POC resolution CEP 2/2015.1, which established a steering committee to develop a roadmap, taking into account the need to coordinate the roadmap’s projects with the WCO. Some of the achievements since then include: 

1. Adoption by the Doha Congress of Convention article 8 on postal security, and adoption by the POC of the associated provisions on EAD contained in article 08-002 of the Convention Regulations;

2. Development of the Global Postal Model (GPM) for the Union in response to emerging EAD requirements;

3. Adoption of the draft EAD roadmap (document POC 2016.1–Doc 10m) and of the ongoing EAD roadmap steering committee function, followed by the committee’s revisions of the roadmap in 2017 and 2021, as a result of the consultations conducted to develop the POC work assignments needed to implement the GPM during the Istanbul cycle.

One of the guiding principles of the EAD roadmap is to ensure that its efforts help prepare UPU members for the EAD requirements that came into force in 2021. 


The UPU Global Postal Model

The Global Postal Model (GPM) was developed to provide a framework for the exchange of EAD between origin and destination Posts, Customs and carriers. The GPM has evolved over time, drawing on Congress resolutions C 56/2008 and C 49/2012. This model has been developed in collaboration with the WCO, ICAO and the International Air Transport Association (IATA), and in consultation with other bodies such as the European Commission, US Customs and Border Protection and the US Transportation Security Administration. Over the last decade, Posts have been fine-tuning the electronic messages that underpin the eight EAD data flows, as well as advancing work on the techniques of data capture and other key elements.

Training video: UPU EAD Global Postal Model
Dive deeper into the inner working of the GPM and the key role played by EAD in enhancing international exchanges.

  • PLACI referrals and GPM EAD flows 3, 4 and 4+
    21.02.2022
    At its December 2020 session, the POC adopted the UPU position paper on GPM EAD flows 3, 4 and 4+ (document POC 2020.2–Doc 2c). These flows provide the framework for exchanges related to PLACI risk assessment, concerning aviation security, in the UPU global postal supply chain. Member countries and their designated operators (DOs) are urged to review the position paper to understand the requirements and their implementation. The prin­ciple and the suggested solutions and processes relate to flows 3, 4 and 4+ of the GPM, which rely on UPU electronic messaging standards M53 and M54 for ITMREF and REFRSP.
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  • “Do Not Load” guidelines
    21.02.2022

    The Do Not Load (DNL) guidelines were developed to ensure that all 192 DOs are able to utilize the guidance at their own level. As highlighted within the guidelines, there are multiple reference documents, and understanding and implementing the provisions contained in these documents is integral to the effectiveness of the guidelines. In particular, the required minimum security standards for all DOs, as outlined in UPU security standards S58 (General security standards) and S59 (Office of exchange and international airmail security), are indispensable for the application of the DNL guidelines.

    The purpose of the DNL guidelines is to provide general guidance, principles and a risk assessment response protocol to define the role of DOs vis-à-vis the WCO and ICAO.

    At its December 2020 session, the POC adopted the UPU DNL guidelines.

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UPU EAD Technical Solutions
Explore the UPU's EAD solutions for enhancing international postal exchanges here

Video: Increase EAD compliance and quality through the UPU Address Verification API
In this video, we delve into the importance of electronic advanced data (EAD) exchanges in cross-border trade and customs operations

Information on EAD configuration in IPS and CDS available here

Information on the EAD Customs Declaration Application available here


Proof of concept piloting for transit EAD data exchanges

On 1 September 2025, amendments to articles 08-001 and  20-001 of the UPU Convention Regulations will come into force, in relation to transit EAD filing. In case of national security requirements related to closed transit, the designated operator (DO) of origin shall take reasonable measures to provide the EAD (ITMATT, S9-S10, CARDIT) to the DO of transit. 

To prepare for this change in the Regulations, the UPU is conducting a proof of concept (PoC) pilot based on network-level data copying for open/closed transit postal items, with the cooperation of the relevant stakeholders. 

This pilot is conducted on a voluntary basis at no cost to the designated operator of origin or destination. Here are the pre-requisites and the checklist for piloting the EAD provision of open/closed transit postal items:

• Step 1: An agreement may need to be in place between the origin DO and the transit DO for certain types of transit (e.g. open transit).

• Step 2: Origin DO and Transit DO to confirm they already have a Data Sharing Agreement (DSA), also covering transit data exchanges.

• Step 3: Authorization from the origin DO to the transit DO to use the relevant data for transit EAD purposes 

• Step 4: Data copy process between the data network providers. 

• Step 5: Transit DO to contact its IT service provider to provide the EAD to the transit Customs.

If both the origin DO and the destination DO are Post*Net users, the origin DO needs to submit a data-copy authorization form which can be downloaded here (English / French), with UPU credentials. The form should be submitted via the UPU Support Portal (after log-in, click “Submit request” and choose “Post*Net mail”).


Electronic Advance Data (EAD) Webinar for Designated Operators
26 and 27 February 2024

Webinar for designated operators covering the UPU Global Postal Model (GPM) and aspects relating to EAD implementation, compliance and UPU PTC tools for the exchange and monitoring of EAD. The content of this webinar is accessible only to authorized users (with UPU account credentials).  

Agenda
Presentations

For further information, please contact ead.rmt@upu.int


UPU Multilateral Data Sharing Agreement

The UPU Multilateral Data Sharing Agreement (MDSA), adopted by the POC in April 2021, is a legal instrument created to facilitate the exchange of data necessary for the operations of international postal services and to enable the implementation of such exchanges in accordance with the UPU Acts.

The MDSA incorporates and expands on the substantive provisions of existing and privately established multilateral data sharing arrangements concluded by the DOs of Union member countries. The goal is to better reflect the relevant data-sharing obligations contained in the Acts of the Union and to establish the relevant conditions for a UPU-managed instrument with global reach.

Eligible postal sector entities are invited to adhere to the UPU MDSA and to contribute to the development of an evolving global framework for the sharing of international postal data in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Acts of the Union.

For further information: MDSA@upu.int

List of countries that signed the MDSA.