An EORI number (Economic Operators Registration and Identification) is a unique identifier assigned to businesses and individuals engaged in customs activities within the European Union. It is required for importing or exporting goods to ensure smooth customs processing, helping authorities track shipments and verify compliance with trade regulations.
Businesses or individuals who move goods across EU borders typically need to register for an EORI number through their local customs authority. The application system involves submitting company details and relevant documents, often via an online portal.
Once issued, the EORI number must be included in all customs declarations, simplifying border procedures and speeding up international trade operations.
An EORI number (Economic Operators Registration and Identification number) is a unique identifier assigned by customs authorities in the European Union (EU) and the United Kingdom (UK) to businesses and individuals involved in the import or export of goods. This number is mandatory for customs procedures and helps authorities track and register traders across borders.
If you are importing goods into the EU country or UK, exporting them outside, or engaging in cross-border trade involving customs declarations, you will need an EORI number. It is used in customs documentation and applications, such as import/export licenses or duty relief requests, and ensures smooth communication with customs authorities.
The system of an EORI number (Economic Operators Registration and Identification number) generally begins with the two-letter country code, followed by a unique number—often based on your business's tax or registration number.
In short, the EORI number is crucial for anyone involved in international goods trade with the EU or UK. If you’re unsure whether you need one, it’s best to check with customs authorities or a freight forwarder before your shipment is delayed.
The EORI number serves as a unique ID that enables customs to recognize and process traders involved in the cross-border movement of goods. Without an EORI number, businesses may face delays, penalties, or even refusal of entry or exit for their goods.
The EORI number simplifies and standardizes how traders are identified across all EU member states and in the UK. Whether you're importing goods into the EU/UK, exporting them out, or even just transporting goods through these regions, the EORI number is necessary for filing customs declarations, obtaining duty relief, or accessing simplified customs procedures.
In essence, the EORI number acts like a passport for your business in the world of customs and trade. It ensures smooth communication between your company and the customs systems of Europe, helping avoid unnecessary delays and ensuring legal compliance.
As international trade becomes more digitized and regulated, having a valid EORI number has become not just a requirement, but a standard part of doing business globally.
Any business or individual involved in international trade with the EU or the UK may be obligated to register for an EORI number. This requirement applies to anyone importing, exporting, or transiting goods through EU or UK customs borders. Without an EORI, customs authorities will not process your shipment, resulting in delays or even refusal of entry or exit.
If you are based in the EU or UK, you must have an EORI number before you can submit customs declarations, apply for import/export licenses, or interact with customs digitally. This applies to legal entities (like companies) as well as sole traders and, in some cases, private individuals.
Even if your business is based outside the EU or UK, you may still need to register for an EORI number if you are acting as the importer of record, exporter, or customs declarant. For example, a U.S. company that ships goods to the EU and wants to manage its own customs clearance must obtain an EU EORI number.
Usually, private individuals do not need an EORI number. The EORI (Economic Operators Registration and Identification) number is primarily for businesses and traders involved in customs activities within the EU, such as importing or exporting goods.
However, there are exceptions. If a private individual regularly imports or exports goods in a commercial context (for example, selling goods internationally), they may need to register for an EORI number.
If you are an individual carrying out customs-related activities, such as ordering goods from outside the EU that require customs clearance, sometimes an EORI number might be required, depending on the country’s rules.
The EORI number is essential in logistics and transport within the EU as it helps streamline customs processes and ensures the smooth movement of goods. It serves as a unique identifier for businesses and economic operators involved in importing or exporting, allowing customs authorities to quickly recognize who is responsible for shipments. When goods cross EU borders, the EORI number must be included in customs declarations and related documents, ensuring shipments are properly recorded and processed.
This identification number also helps track shipments and verify compliance with customs regulations, which reduces delays and prevents fraud. Having an EORI number allows businesses to benefit from simplified customs procedures, such as less paperwork and faster clearance times. Transport companies and freight forwarders use EORI numbers to coordinate and document the movement of goods between countries, ensuring all legal requirements are met. Overall, the EORI number is key to efficient and lawful international trade within the EU, supporting quicker customs clearance and smoother logistics operations.
The EORI number is vital for import and export operations because it serves as a unique identification number for businesses involved in customs activities within the EU. Without an EORI number, companies cannot legally carry out customs declarations or move goods across EU borders. This identification system helps customs authorities efficiently track and process shipments, ensuring that all goods comply with regulations and duties are properly applied.
It also enables businesses to access special customs arrangements, such as simplified declarations and faster clearance times. In essence, the EORI number is a key element that supports smooth, legal, and efficient international trade, helping companies avoid costly fines or shipment hold-ups while ensuring compliance with customs laws.
The EORI number is a mandatory part of customs declarations when importing or exporting goods within or outside the European Union. When a shipment is prepared for customs clearance, the EORI number of the importer or exporter must be included in all relevant paperwork and electronic declarations. This helps customs authorities identify the parties involved and verify their registration for customs activities.
During the customs process, the EORI number allows authorities to track the movement of goods, check compliance with regulations, and calculate any duties or taxes due.
Without an EORI number, customs declarations cannot be processed, which can lead to delays, fines, or even refusal of entry for goods. Therefore, having a valid EORI number ensures that importers and exporters can efficiently navigate customs formalities and keep their international trade running smoothly.
Having an EORI number offers several important benefits for businesses engaged in international trade. First, it enables companies to legally import and export goods within and beyond the EU, ensuring full compliance with customs regulations. This compliance helps avoid costly delays, fines, or shipment refusals at borders.
An EORI number also speeds up customs clearance by simplifying and automating paperwork, reducing administrative burdens, and minimizing processing times. This means goods can move faster through ports and checkpoints, improving overall supply chain efficiency.
Additionally, businesses with an EORI number can access special customs procedures and simplified regimes, such as transit procedures or customs warehousing, which can reduce costs and improve flexibility. It also facilitates better communication and transparency with customs authorities, helping companies manage compliance risks more effectively.
To obtain an EORI number, the first step is to determine whether your business or activity actually requires one. Typically, if you import or export goods to or from the European Union, you will need to have an EORI number.
Next, you need to identify the correct customs authority to apply through filling application form. This is usually the customs office in the EU country where your business is established. If your business is not established within the EU, you will generally apply in the country where you first submit a customs declaration.
Before applying, gather all the necessary information and documents. This typically includes your business registration number, tax identification number, company name, address, and contact details. The exact requirements can vary depending on the country.
The application itself is usually submitted online or on paper, depending on the procedures of the customs authority you are dealing with. Many EU countries provide online portals to make this process quicker and more convenient.
After you submit your application, the customs authority will process it and issue your EORI number. This can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks depending on the workload and the country’s specific procedures.
Once you receive your EORI number, it should be used in all customs declarations and related documents whenever you are trading goods internationally within the EU. If you have any doubts or questions during this process, it’s advisable to contact your local customs office or consult a customs broker for assistance.
An EORI number is made up of two main parts. The first part is a country code based on the ISO two-letter country code, which identifies the EU member state where the business or individual is registered. For example, “DE” stands for Germany, “FR” for France, and “PL” for Poland.
The second part is a unique identification number assigned by the customs authority of that country. This part can vary in length and format depending on the issuing country, but it often corresponds to the business’s tax identification number or company registration number.
Together, these parts form a single, unique EORI number that identifies the economic operator throughout the EU customs system. For example, an this unique code might look like “DE123456789000” or “FRAB123456789”.
About AsstrA
AsstrA-Associated Traffic AG is a multinational transportation and logistics service provider headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland. For 30 years, AsstrA has been providing its customers with a full range of global 3PL services via road, rail, air, and sea transportation. The service portfolio includes warehouse logistics, customs clearance, cargo insurance, support for import-export operations, and project logistics.
AsstrA’s team employs more than 1,000 people in countries across Europe, the CIS, Asia, and the USA. The quality of services is confirmed by ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, ISO 22000, ISO 28000, GDP, and SQAS certifications.
AsstrA-Associated Traffic AG is a member of leading trade associations including FIATA, WCA, and TAPA.
