What is an EORI number?
An Economic Operator Registration and Identification (EORI) number is required for all businesses and individuals involved in moving goods into or out of the European Union (EU) customs territory. This identification number consists of two parts:
- The country code of the issuing EU Member State.
- A unique code or number specific to that Member State.
EORI numbers must be included on all customs declarations and are recognized by all EU Member States. Without an EORI number, traders may face delays and incur extra costs, such as storage fees, if authorities like HMRC cannot process the goods.
Who needs an EORI number?
Economic operators require an EORI number for customs purposes if:
- They are based within the EU’s customs territory; or
- They trade goods with the EU for specific official customs procedures (e.g., submitting a customs declaration, lodging an Entry Summary Declaration, or an Exit Summary Declaration).
According to Article 5(5) of the Union Customs Code, an economic operator is defined as “a person who, in the course of his or her business, is involved in activities covered by EU customs legislation.” This includes individuals, companies, and other organizations.
In some cases, people who are not economic operators may still need an EORI number. The European Commission provides guidance on who must apply for one.
How do I apply for an EORI number?
Applying for an EORI number online is straightforward. It is issued either immediately or within five working days if further checks are needed. To apply, you will need the following information:
- Business start date
- Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR)
- Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) code (for companies)
- National Insurance number (for individuals and sole traders)
- VAT number and date of registration (if applicable)
After issuing your EORI number, you must wait up to 48 hours before using it for customs declarations in the Customs Handling of Import and Export Freight (CHIEF) system.
To check the status of your EORI application, sign in to your Government Gateway account. If you do not have an account, setting one up is quick and simple. Once issued, EORI numbers can also be verified through the EORI online database.
For any issues, such as lost or forgotten EORI numbers, you can contact the EORI team online or by calling 0300 322 7067 (Monday to Friday, 8 am to 6 pm).
What happens to EORI numbers after Brexit?
Following the Brexit transition period, UK-based economic operators will need an EORI number to trade goods with the EU, except for goods moving solely between Northern Ireland and Ireland.
From 1 January 2021, UK traders must use an EORI number that begins with ‘GB’ for moving goods in and out of the UK. Additionally, businesses making customs declarations or seeking customs decisions in the EU will need a separate EORI number issued by an EU Member State.
This post-Brexit requirement ensures that UK traders comply with both UK and EU customs rules.
For more details, check out the Startxpress Help Center and Blog.
If you have any more questions or need further assistance, feel free to reach out to us via support@startxpress.io. Our team is here to support you every step of the way.
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