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

Whenever you transport goods across European borders, be it from the Netherlands to Germany or from America to the Netherlands, you need an EORI number. We have summarized all information on the subject of EORI numbers for you in the following article.

What is a Dutch EORI number?

An EORI number is a combination of numbers and letters used to uniquely identify every private person or company that transports goods across European borders. It is part of the European Registration and Identification System for Economic Operators. After an economic operator has applied for and received an EORI number in the Netherlands, it is used both for the movement of goods within the European Union and for import and export activities.

Who needs this number in the Netherlands?

In the Netherlands, as in every other European country, every dealer, every company, every transporter and every private person needs an EORI number as soon as they have to deal with customs duties on a regular basis. However, each of the economic operators only needs a single number. People and companies based in the Netherlands should also apply for the EORI number there. Non-EU companies can freely choose the country of the EORI registration. As soon as an EORI number is obtained in the Netherlands, it can be used for imports, exports and goods transport across the EU.

A few special cases are exceptions to this rule. On the one hand, branches of larger, multinational companies do not have to apply for their own EORI numbers. They use the number of the headquarters. Furthermore, an application for the EORI number is only necessary if more than 9 customs declarations are submitted per year. You can find more information on the subject of EORI numbers on our overview page.

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How does an EORI number in the Netherlands look like?

In all countries of the European Union, EORI numbers consist of a two-digit letter code and a combination of numbers. The letters, the ISO code, indicate the country in which the number was requested. The number combination consists of nine to fifteen digits, depending on the EU country, and identifies the respective economic operator. The Netherlands is assigned the ISO code NL. This is followed by the nine-digit Dutch tax number of the economic operator. A Dutch EORI number looks like this, for example:

NL135792468

As mentioned, companies based in the Netherlands should also apply for an EORI number in the Netherlands. Companies that do not come from the EU often choose the country in which they are also registered for the One Stop Shop, OSS for short, for EORI registration. EORI and OSS have nothing to do with each other, but both are needed to act successfully and legally in the European Union. The bundling of administrative tasks in one country makes it easier to overcome language barriers and comply with tax obligations. You can find out more about the One Stop Shop on our OSS page.

How do I get this number in the Netherlands?

How you get a Dutch EORI number depends on how you submit customs declarations in the Netherlands. A distinction must be made between three cases:

• You submit customs declarations in the Netherlands yourself
• A service provider submits customs declarations for you in the Netherlands
• You or a service provider submit customs declarations abroad

In the first case, you can create the EORI number yourself. Just add the ISO code of the Netherlands, NL, and your Dutch tax number, the RSIN number, together. If you create the EORI number for a private person, you use the BSN number for Dutch citizens instead of the RSIN number. If one of the numbers consists of fewer than 9 digits, fill the number with zeros from the beginning. The EORI number can then look like this:

NL004682794

This number does not have to be submitted or registered, but can be used immediately. As soon as it appears in a customs declaration for the first time, it is automatically checked and authorized.

In the second and third case you have to apply for an EORI number. This is done using a form from the Dutch tax authorities, the belastingdiens. Caution! Companies based in the Netherlands must fill out a different form than those based outside the Netherlands.

Dutch companies applying for an EORI number must fill out the form online and then send it to the email address listed on the form without a signature. Foreign companies must fill in the other online form, print it, sign it, and mail it to the address on the form.

Although both forms are available in English, in the future a large part of your administrative tasks will have to be done in Dutch. These include, for example, Dutch VAT returns, which in most cases are regularly made. The hellotax team can take over these tasks for you. We take care of all registrations, submissions and contact with the authorities. Contact us today and arrange a non-binding, free consultation!