EORI: How to Get Your Economic Operator Registration Identification Number
- Arne Mielken
- Oct 26, 2023
- 6 min read
Discover the importance of EORI numbers and how to obtain one. Learn how this Economic Operator Registration Identification can streamline customs processes.
What is an EORI number?
"Economic Operator's Registration and Identification number" is what EORI stands for. When sharing information with customs administrations, businesses and individuals seeking to trade must use the EORI number as an identity number in all customs processes.
Why should businesses have an EORI number?
Having one common type of identification number across the EU can greatly enhance efficiency for economic operators and customs authorities. It would be beneficial to have distinct agreements for both Great Britain and Northern Ireland, considering that the UK is no longer a member of the EU.
What format does the EORI number have?
The EORI number is composed of two parts: the country code of the issuing country, followed by a unique code or number within that country. In some countries, like the UK, the EORI number is usually the VAT number with 000 added to it..
Who needs an EORI number?
Which type of EORI number you need and where you get it from depends on where you’re moving goods to and from. You may need more than one. If you do not have the right EORI number, you may have delays at customs and increased costs, for example, your goods may have to be stored until you get an EORI. Businesses need an EORI number to move goods between the EU and the UK and to non-EU countries.
Businesses not established in the customs territory of a territory also need an EORI for a number of different situations.
For example:
to lodge a customs declaration in the customs territory
to submit an Entry Summary Declaration (ENS)
to lodge an Exit Summary Declaration (EXS)
to lodge a temporary storage declaration in the customs territory
When you’ll need your EORI number
You’ll need your EORI number if you:
appoint someone to deal with customs for you and are ‘established’ in the country you’re importing to or exporting from
make customs declarations
use customs systems, such as the CHIEF or CDS system in Great Britain, Delta in France or AIS in Ireland and the Import Control System of Northern Ireland (ICS NI)
apply for a customs decision
access the EU CDS system
How can you request an EORI number?
Businesses established in the customs territory of ta country should request the assignment of the EORI number to their local, national customs authority.
Businesses not established in the country should request the EORI number's assignment to the country's customs authorities responsible for the place where they first lodge a declaration or apply for a decision.
EORI Numbers in the UK
To move goods between the EU and Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) businesses need an EORI number when customs systems and declarations need to be lodged. There is a separate EORI number if businesses move goods to or from Northern Ireland.
You may need an EORI number if you move goods:
between Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) or the Isle of Man and any other country (including the EU)
between Great Britain and Northern Ireland
between Great Britain and the Channel Islands
between Northern Ireland and countries outside the EU
If you’re moving goods to or from Great Britain
If you move goods to or from Great Britain you must get an EORI number that starts with GB. If you already have an EORI number and it does not start with GB, you must apply for a GB EORI number.
If you move goods from Great Britain to or from Northern Ireland
Since 1 January 2021, you’ll need an EORI number that starts with XI to:
move goods between Northern Ireland and non-EU countries
make a declaration in Northern Ireland
get a customs decision in Northern Ireland
In Great Britain, to get an EORI number that starts with XI, you must already have an EORI number that starts with GB. If you already have an EORI number starting with GB, you need to apply for an EORI number that starts with XI.
You must have an Economic Operators Registration and Identification number (EORI number) that starts with XI if you:
move goods into Northern Ireland from Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales)
move goods from Northern Ireland to another non-EU country
make a declaration in Northern Ireland
apply for a customs decision in Northern Ireland
Only people or organisations based in Northern Ireland or the EU can be named as the ‘declarant’ on import and export declarations made in Northern Ireland.
To apply for an EORI number in GB, visit this page:
To check a valid EORI number, visit this page:
EORI Numbers in the EU
Apply for an EORI number by contacting the EU customs authority:
All EORI numbers can be checked in the EU EORI online database
Following the UK withdrawal from the EU, from the 1st of January 2021, the EORI numbers, and AEO authorisations of UK (starting with the “GB” code) are not consultable anymore on the European Commission EOS online database.
Only the EORI/AEO numbers of Northern Ireland (starting with the “XI” code), as foreseen by the Northern Ireland Protocol, are available for query.
How long does it take to get an EORI number?
This can vary from EU Member State to EU Member State. In the UK, it can take only 5 to 10 minutes to apply. Businesses can get their EORI number fast, maybe within 4 working days on average. This can vary from country to country.
How can a business get an EORI number?
To get an EORI number, your business usually needs to have premises based in the country you want to import to or export from - this is called ‘being established’.
Your premises will need to be either a:
registered office
central headquarters
permanent business establishment - premises where some of your customs-related activities are taking place and your HR and technical resources are permanently located
Do I need an EORI number for the movement of personal goods?
You do not need an EORI number if you’re moving goods for personal use only.
Can I get an EORI number if I am not established in the country you’re moving goods to or from?
You should still get an EORI number if you’re:
making a customs declaration - check if you’re eligible to make a customs declaration
making an entry summary declaration
making an exit summary declaration
making a temporary storage declaration
making a customs declaration for temporary admission or re-export declaration where you have a guarantee
established in a common transit country where the declaration is lodged instead of an entry summary declaration or is used as a pre-departure declaration
Getting an EORI number when you do not meet the criteria
If you’re not eligible to apply for an EORI number yourself, you’ll need to appoint someone to deal with customs on your behalf. The person you appoint will need to get the EORI number instead of you.
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