What is an EORI number?
EORI stands for Economic Operators Registration and Identification — the EU-wide registration number that customs authorities use to identify businesses and individuals. The system covers the whole union: an EORI number issued in one member state is valid in every EU country.
The number is used in all customs declarations — import, export and transit. Without a valid EORI number, customs will not accept a declaration lodged in your name.
Who needs an EORI number?
As soon as your business moves goods across the EU's external border, you need one. Typical cases:
- You import goods from outside the EU (e.g. China, the US, the UK, Switzerland)
- You export goods to countries outside the EU
- You use a freight forwarder or customs agent who declares in your name
- You run an e-commerce business with goods crossing the EU border
Good to know
What does an EORI number look like?
Every EORI number starts with the two-letter country code of the issuing state, followed by an identifier of up to 15 characters. What the identifier is based on differs per country — in many member states it derives from the national business or tax number.
How to get an EORI number
You apply once, with the customs authority of the country where your business is established — and the number is free everywhere. The procedure differs per country; we cover the largest markets in dedicated guides:
| Country | Where to get it | Format |
|---|---|---|
| Germany | Apply with the Generalzolldirektion (customs portal + ELSTER) | DE + up to 15 digits |
| Netherlands | Self-composed (NL + RSIN/BSN); registered at first declaration | NL + 9 digits |
| Belgium | Apply with FOD Financiën (customs) | BE + 10 digits |
| Sweden | Apply with Tullverket (often auto-assigned) | SE + organisation number |
| Austria | Apply with Zollamt Österreich (BMF) | AT + identifier (usually ATEOS…) |
| United Kingdom | Apply with HMRC on GOV.UK (GB EORI; XI for Northern Ireland) | GB / XI + 12 digits |
Businesses established outside the EU apply in the member state where they first lodge a customs declaration.
Checking an EORI number
Any EU EORI number can be validated live against the European Commission's official database — our free checker does exactly that. Note that UK numbers starting with GB are outside the EU system since Brexit; they are checked with HMRC's own service instead.
What does an EORI number cost?
Nothing. Applying for and holding an EORI number is free of charge in every country. Be wary of third-party services that charge a fee for something your customs authority does for free.
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