What Is an EORI Number and Who Needs One?

An EORI number (Economic Operators Registration and Identification number) is a customs identifier used to identify businesses and other parties involved in importing, exporting, or moving goods through the European Union. It allows customs authorities to identify the operator involved in a customs activity and connect that operator to the relevant records.

For US-to-Europe shipments, the main question is whose EORI belongs on the customs declaration. That depends on who acts as the importer and the agreed shipping terms. See our step-by-step guide to shipping from the USA to Europe for the wider process.

What Is an EORI Number in Shipping?

EORI identifies businesses and other parties involved in EU import, export, and certain transit activities. It is a registration number, not an import license or proof that customs duties have been paid.

An operator can have only one valid EU EORI at a time, and it works across all EU member states. A German-issued EORI, for example, can be used for customs operations in France or the Netherlands.

Freight forwarders and customs representatives may request the number before clearance to identify the responsible party. It may be included in customs declarations and the information supplied to a broker. The exporter named on an invoice is not necessarily the importer whose EORI belongs on the import declaration.

EORI Number Format and Examples

An EU EORI starts with the two-letter code of the issuing member state, followed by a country-specific identifier of up to 15 letters or numbers. The full length varies by country. The UK uses separate prefixes for Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

These are illustrative format examples, not verified active registrations. A number can look correct and still be invalid, so checking the format alone is not enough for EORI validation.

A GB EORI cannot replace an EU-issued EORI for EU customs procedures, and an EU EORI cannot replace a GB number for Great Britain. Northern Ireland has separate arrangements. Eligible businesses may use XI numbers, while EU-established businesses generally use their EU-issued EORI for Northern Ireland customs procedures, subject to HMRC’s requirements.

Norway, Switzerland, and Serbia are outside the EU and do not issue EU EORI numbers. They have their own customs identification requirements.

Who Is Required to Have an EORI Number?

EU-established businesses carrying out activities covered by customs legislation generally need an EORI. This includes commercial importers, exporters, and businesses submitting customs declarations, regardless of their size.

Businesses established outside the EU may also need an EORI when carrying out certain customs activities in the EU. These include lodging customs declarations, entry or exit summary declarations, temporary storage declarations, or acting as a carrier where the registration rules apply.

Not every foreign seller sending goods to an EU customer must register. If the EU buyer handles the import and is identified as the importer, the buyer’s EORI will normally be required. Appointing a customs representative does not automatically remove a business’s own registration obligations.

Private individuals receiving goods for personal use usually do not need EORI registration. However, national rules or specific customs procedures may require an EORI or another form of identification.

Do US Companies Need an EORI Number?

The US has no equivalent EORI system. American exporters use identifiers such as the Employer Identification Number (EIN) for relevant US procedures, but an EIN cannot replace an EU EORI.

For American companies, the need for EORI registration depends mainly on their role in the European import process, including the agreed Incoterms and customs arrangements.

When the European Buyer Handles Import Clearance

For many business-to-business shipments under EXW, FCA, FOB, CIF, or DAP, the European buyer normally handles import clearance. The buyer or designated EU importer provides the EORI required for the import declaration.

Consider machinery shipped by ocean freight from the US to Rotterdam under DAP. The seller arranges transport to the agreed destination, but the Dutch buyer normally handles import clearance and provides its EORI. Paying for transportation does not automatically make the seller the importer.

The parties should still confirm who will act as the importer and declarant. Incoterms determine contractual responsibilities, but the actual customs arrangement must also comply with local requirements.

When the American Seller Ships Under DDP

DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) makes the seller responsible for import clearance and applicable import duties and taxes under the agreed delivery terms. A US seller taking on these responsibilities will often need its own EU EORI and customs representation. Read more about DDP shipping terms.

An EORI alone does not give a company without an EU establishment the right to submit every import declaration in its own name. Under EU customs rules, declarants generally must be established in the EU, although exceptions exist. A US seller may therefore need an EU-based indirect customs representative, who acts in the representative’s own name on the seller’s behalf.

Importer arrangements, VAT obligations, and representation options depend on the destination country and transaction. Incoterms allocate contractual responsibilities but do not settle every customs requirement. US sellers should confirm the arrangement with a customs specialist before offering DDP. Shipments to Great Britain follow separate UK rules.

How to Get an EORI Number

Applying in the European Union

An EU-established business applies through the customs authority of the member state where it is established. A business without an EU establishment normally registers in the member state where it intends to carry out its first customs activity requiring an EORI.

National applications commonly request the legal business name, registered address, contact details, tax or business registration information, and details of the planned customs activity. Supporting documents and application procedures vary by country. US applicants should confirm which documents the relevant customs authority accepts.

Processing times depend on the issuing authority and the application. An EORI issued in one EU member state is valid throughout the EU, so a business does not need separate EU EORI numbers for different destinations. Apply before the first customs operation requiring the number rather than assuming registration can be completed when the shipment arrives.

Applying in Great Britain or Northern Ireland

For Great Britain, apply through HM Revenue & Customs’ “Get an EORI number” service. The information required depends partly on whether the business is established in the UK.

Businesses applying for an XI EORI through HMRC must first obtain a GB EORI and meet the relevant eligibility requirements. Businesses established in an EU member state generally use an EORI issued by that member state for Northern Ireland customs activities rather than applying for a separate XI number.

How to Check If an EORI Number Is Valid

Use the European Commission’s EORI validation service for EU and XI numbers. For a number beginning with GB, use HMRC’s “Check an EORI number” service. These official tools confirm whether a number is currently valid, rather than simply checking its format.

Enter the complete number, including its country prefix. If the result is invalid, check for typing errors and confirm the registration with its holder before submitting customs documents. The registered business name and address may not appear if the holder has not consented to public disclosure.

A valid EORI confirms registration status. It does not prove that a business has permission to import every type of product or that all customs and tax obligations have been met. Product restrictions, licenses, and VAT requirements must be checked separately.

EORI vs. VAT Number vs. IOSS

An EORI identifies a party for customs purposes, while a VAT number identifies a business for value-added tax purposes. In some EU countries, EORI numbers are based on national tax or VAT identifiers. Even when the numbers share some digits, the registrations serve different purposes.

IOSS (Import One-Stop Shop) is a VAT reporting and payment scheme for eligible distance sales of imported goods to EU consumers. It applies to certain e-commerce transactions but does not replace EORI identification where customs rules require it.

US online sellers should establish who handles import clearance, who accounts for VAT, and whether IOSS applies to their transactions. Collecting VAT at checkout does not automatically satisfy customs requirements.

What Happens If an EORI Number Is Missing or Wrong?

A missing or invalid EORI can prevent a customs declaration from being accepted or processed. Shipments may be delayed, potentially leading to additional storage or handling charges. If the issue remains unresolved, goods may have to be returned or placed under another permitted customs procedure.

Before shipping, confirm the importer, agreed Incoterm, customs representative, and correct EORI number. For more complicated arrangements, customs clearance support can help identify potential problems. RAM International Shipping can coordinate with customs partners as a freight forwarder, but its own registration details cannot replace an EORI that another responsible party is required to hold.

EORI Number FAQ

Does an EORI Number Cost Anything or Expire?

Official EORI registration through EU and UK customs authorities is free, and EORI numbers have no fixed expiration date. They can be invalidated upon request or when business activities cease. Third-party service providers may charge for assistance with registration.

Where Can I Find My Existing EORI Number?

Check your original registration confirmation, customs account, or previous customs declarations. If you still cannot find it, contact the issuing customs authority. Public EORI lookup services are primarily intended to validate known numbers, not to search for businesses by name.

Can I Use My Customs Broker’s EORI Instead of My Own?

Not automatically. A broker may use its own EORI when acting as a customs representative or declarant, but the represented business may still need its own registration. The correct identifiers depend on the type of representation and who is named in the declaration.

Do Personal Packages or Gifts Require an EORI?

Usually not. Private recipients generally do not need an EORI for ordinary personal packages or gifts. However, some national customs rules may require an EORI or another personal identifier. If a carrier requests one, ask which customs procedure it is preparing and what identification is accepted.