EORI Number

An EORI number (Economic Operator Registration and Identification number) is the unique customs ID that identifies your business to EU and UK customs authorities. Without one, you cannot file an import or export declaration. It's the equivalent of a tax ID number, but for customs.

EU EORI. Issued by your national customs authority — HMRC for Germany, DHL for the Netherlands (via the Dutch customs website), Douane for France, etc. Valid EU-wide once issued. Format: 2-letter country code + up to 15 alphanumeric characters (e.g., DE12345678901234). Registration is typically free and takes 1–3 business days.

UK EORI (post-Brexit). EU EORI numbers are no longer valid for UK imports and exports after Brexit. UK operators need a separate GB EORI (format: GB + 12 digits). UK HMRC issues these via gov.uk — usually within 5 working days. If you import into both the EU and UK, you need one of each.

Non-EU/UK established businesses. If your business is not established in the EU or UK but ships goods there, you still need an EORI to act as importer of record. You can register with any EU member state's customs authority — or appoint an indirect customs representative (an EU-based broker who acts in their own name, sharing liability).

EORI vs VAT number. They are different. Your VAT number is for tax purposes; your EORI is for customs declarations. In the UK, the EORI is linked to your VAT registration number (GB + VAT number + 000) for most businesses. In the EU, they are separate registrations with separate numbers.