EORI number: this is what you need to know about the European customs number

Selling online or planning to grow your business internationally? You might already know about the EORI number. This article explains what it is, who it needs, how to apply, how long that takes where to find help and further information. Actually, all you need to know. Enjoy!

What is an EORI number?

The EORI number (Economic Operators Registration and Identification number) was introduced to identify economic operators within the EU in a uniform way, regarding their relation and interaction with the customs authorities and can be seen as a kind of “customs number”.

The main idea is to simplify customs clearance which has become more and more automated. The EORI number is essential for all correspondence between the operator and the authorities, no matter if applications, declarations or other documents. In conclusion, if you have to fulfil customs duties, you need an EORI number. 

How does the number look like?

In principle, the EORI number consists of a country code at the beginning, followed by a 10 to 15 digit number. EORI numbers in countries that could be of interest to Amazon FBA and online shop sellers are structured as follows. As an economic operator in Europe you have to check the validity of the number for every dispatch into the customs territory of the European Union. However, private persons are not affected by this regulation. A click on the country name will lead to further information about EORI numbers in the specific country. 

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Who needs this number?

Every company and private person needs an EORI number in order to clear customs and import or export products into any country of the European Union. The same applies if products are exported and leave the European Union. It’s also used by customs authorities for security, data analysing and statistical reasons. 

Apart from sellers, forwarders and transporters also need an EORI number to identify themselves to customs authorities. Furthermore, companies that are located outside the EU but trade within Europe need to get an EORI number as well.

Business units with no legal status such as establishments abroad, branches and more are not able to obtain their own number but use the EORI number of their headquarters with an additional four-digit branch identification number.

Exception for small-scale businesses

According to Art. 9 (3) UZK the only exception to the EORI registration obligation comes in when legal entities only submit a maximum of nine customs declarations per year and none of their exports are subject to authorization and must be checked by the BAfA (Federal Office for Economics and Export Control). In this case, an EORI number is not needed. This regulation also applies if a service provider represents you directly in your business.

One such service provider is hellotax. Our team primarily takes care of your VAT-related duties. However, registration processes in foreign languages and the filling out of documents comes with it’s own hurdles. Our specialised accountants can also help you with several registrations and translate documents and forms for you. Contact us today!

How to apply for an EORI number?

An EORI number can be obtained from the responsible authorities in each of the countries in which it is needed. Generally, if you want to apply for an EORI Nr, you need to fill and submit the registration application form for EORI numbers. This can be completed online on the websites of the authorities and after the form is completed, submitted and in some countries signed and sent to the customs authorities by post, you will receive a confirmation that your application was successful. You can find more information on the respective registration processes on the country-specific pages linked in the table above.

It is important to remember that – unlike the VAT ID – each company or person only needs one single EORI number. The issued EORI number and the data of the owner are stored in a central EU database. This can only be done with the written consent of the number owner. 

How to apply – Quick Guide

Here a quick guide on how to apply for an EORI number:

• Visit our EORI guide for the country in which you want to apply for an EORI number
• Follow the link to the information page of the country you want to register in
• Fill the correct form
• Submit the form electronically
• Receive the EORI number

Subsequently the data and the corresponding EORI number are then used for all customs crossings, no matter if products are imported or exported in the country of registration or another country in the European Union. Therefore it doesn’t really matter in which country a company or private person applies for an EORI number. An exception are EU companies and persons, who have to apply for an EORI number in the country  in which they are resident. All non-EU entities tend to register in the country in which they can communicate with the authorities in the national language, or in which they first registered for VAT or the One Stop Shop. 

How long does the EORI registration take?

After the registration process and all the paperwork is complete it shouldn’t take more than 3 days until you receive confirmation via e-mail. Check your spam folder and keep in mind that this can differ from country to country.

How to use the number?

The EORI number is required from the first second on and it must already exist prior to the first import or export process step. For example in Germany, a company needs an EORI number to apply for permits at the Federal Office of Economics and Export Control (BAFA). Furthermore the electronic customs system ATLAS as well as the online customs registration plus (IAA Plus) only work with a valid EORI number.

A second option is to apply for an EORI number and register during the customs process. However, this is only possible if the registration takes place via a service provider.

Check the EORI number: EORI Validation

Before thinking about getting an EORI number, make sure to check that you are not already registered. Some companies are automatically assigned an EORI number when registering for VAT.

Companies and private persons who are unsure about the status of their EORI number registration status can check it at any time in the database of the European Union. Simply enter your assumed EORI number in the EORI number validation form and find out more. 

Furthermore, economic operators in Europe have to check the validity of the number for every dispatch into the customs territory of the European Union. However, private persons are not affected by this regulation.

Trading across Europe without an EORI number

Not having an EORI number means that the trading within the EU, the imports and exports, as well as other movements are not conducted legally. You import? You export? You need an EORI number.

Contact & Help

If you have any issues you can contact the people responsible for your case via the contact form on the website of the authorities in the respective country. Mostly there is also a helpline, you can ask your accountants or us!