EORI number in France: why you need it and how to get it

Anyone who transports goods across European borders, whether within the European Union or through import and export activities, needs an EORI number. You can apply for this number in all European countries, including France. We have summarized all information about the French EORI number for you in the following article.

What is a French EORI number?

As part of the European registration and identification system for economic operators, EORI numbers serve to identify all operators who transport goods across European borders and therefore have contact with the customs authorities. An EORI number can be applied for in France, among other places.

However, each economic operator only needs one of these identification numbers. An EORI number applied for in France can therefore also be used, for example, for the transport of goods from Germany to Belgium, exports from the Netherlands to America, and imports from Asia to Poland.

Who needs the number in France?

Across the EU, all economic operators who regularly fill out customs declarations must be able to identify themselves with the help of an EORI number. These include, among others:

• Private individuals
• Online-Sellers
• Companies
• Carriers

As mentioned, they all only need a single number, which can then be used for all external or intra-community border crossings of the European Union. A German EORI number can also be used for imports into France.

However, there are two exceptions to this general rule. On the one hand, branches of multinational companies do not have to and are not allowed to apply for their own EORI numbers. Instead, they use the headquarter’s number.

Furthermore, EORI numbers are only required from nine customs declarations per year on. This reduces the administrative effort for companies that transport goods only sparingly or even only a single time across borders. You can find more about the general EORI regulations in the European Union and the exceptions on our overview page.

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What does the French number look like?

EORI numbers consist of the country’s ISO code and a nine to fifteen-digit sequence of numbers throughout the EU. The ISO code is a combination of letters that identifies the country in which the EORI number was issued. The French ISO code is FR.

In France, the sequence of numbers following the country code is the fourteen-digit Siret number. This is made up of the nine-digit Siren Code, the identification number for French companies, and another five digits that identify the branch. A French EORI number can look like this, for example:

FR12345678900001

In principle, all French companies and people who transport goods across borders and therefore need an EORI number receive it in France. Economic operators from other European countries receive the EORI number in their home country.

Foreign, for example American, companies can choose the country in which they apply for an EORI number. Most economic operators register for the EORI system in the European country where they import a lot. If this country is France, the French ISO code is followed by that of the country of origin and a customs number that is automatically assigned to the applicant during registration. The EORI number can then look like this:

FRUSA12345678912345

Another option is to apply for an EORI number in the country in which you are also registered for the One Stop Shop. These two systems do not necessarily have anything to do with each other, but a foreign-language tax advisor hired for OSS can also take care of the EORI number and thus save costs. You can find out more about registering for the One Stop Shop on our OSS overview page and here:

How do I get an EORI number in France?

For French companies as well as for foreign economic operators, the EORI registration runs through the French General Directorate for Customs and Indirect Customs. However, filling out the form is only possible in French.

If you need help applying for a French EORI number, for example translating and entering important information, hellotax can be at your side. Our team of local tax advisors and specialized experts also takes care of your registrations for the OSS or individual VAT numbers in a large number of European countries, as well as handles administrative tasks and submits tax documents. Arrange a non-binding and free consultation today and find out about your options!