In the past, anyone wishing to carry out customs activities in the European Union required a customs number. Its successor is the EORI number, which is a mandatory requirement in the EU. It consists of 17 characters and simplifies automatic customs clearance. Anyone who does not have an EORI number may not carry out any customs-related activities within the European Union.
Antonia Klatt
Last Updated on 16 December 2021
Duration of the EORI Application
An EORI number must be available immediately upon commencement of the customs action. Every day of delay can lead to severe penalties. Anyone wishing to take appropriate action in this area must observe certain timings.
This is because the EORI number is not confirmed the second the application is made, but must be checked and finally officially approved.
Anyone who has submitted the application for the EORI number via the website of the Directorate General of Customs, by e-mail, fax or post must expect an average processing time of three to four weeks.
More articles about the EORI number
No content has been found here, sorry 🙂Only when the application has been released and confirmation of this has reached you is the EORI number legally valid and allows you to carry out customs actions. This means that you should apply for the EORI number at least three, preferably four, weeks before the start of the customs activities in order to avoid delays or potential penalties.
What is the EORI number?
In order to be able to trade outside the European Union, a VAT identification number as well as the EORI number is required. The EORI number corresponds to the local customs number – only on the level of the European Union. It serves to uniquely identify all parties involved in trade, thus simplifying customs clearance.
The EORI number is the basis for communication between traders and authorities. It is therefore mandatory and a prerequisite for importing into the EU and exporting from the EU. It consists of two letters and 15 digits.
Application process of the EORI number
The EORI number can be requested in different ways. The application and receipt of the number is free of charge. Since the end of 2019, it can be applied for fully digitally, without any correspondence.
This works via the citizen and business customer portal of the General Customs Directorate. After creating a user account, an EORI number can be applied for here.
>Here< you find more information about the EORI number and >here< about the application process.
