Economic operators registration and identification (EORI) number

An Economic operators registration and identification (EORI) number is mandatory for the clearance of all types of customs operations in the customs territory of the EU, such as import, export and transit.

EORI numbers uniquely identify economic operators (EOs) and other persons. At any point in time, a person can be assigned only one valid EORI number. EOs must communicate this number to the customs authorities of EU countries for customs operations.

Validate an EORI number

By having one common type of identification number across the EU, both EOs and customs authorities benefit from increased efficiency in customs clearance, statistical and security purposes.

Who needs an EORI number?

• Any economic operator (EO) established in the EU customs territory.  
• EOs who are not established in the EU customs territory, but carry out the following customs activities:
  • lodging customs declarations
  • lodging entry summary declarations (ENS)
  • lodging exit summary declarations (EXS)
  • lodging declarations for temporary storage
  • acting as a carrier.
• Persons other than EOs – if required by the national legislation of the EU country in question or by other EU legal acts, or if they engage in activities for which an EORI number must be provided. 

Request an EORI

EORI numbers can only be assigned by a single customs authority:

• For economic operators established in EU customs territory, this is the national customs authority of the EU country where they are established.
• For economic operators with no establishment in EU customs territory, this is the EU country in which they intend to carry out their first customs operation, i.e. lodge a declaration or apply for a decision.
• For non-EU economic operators with multiple permanent business establishments in EU customs territory, this can be any of the EU countries where they have an establishment.

Search for EORI registering authorities

Search for EORI sharing authorities

Format of EORI

An EORI number consists of:

• A country code of the issuing EU country (2 letters); followed by
• An identifier that is unique in the EU country (up to 15 alphanumeric characters)

Invalidation of EORI

EORI numbers do not have an expiration date. However, they can be invalidated upon request, or if the trader’s business activities cease. After this, the recorded EORI data is kept for 10 years. 

Checking EORI numbers

Check if an EORI number or the name/address of a registered person is valid:

Validate an EORI number

Guidance document

Related links

EORI eLearning course  

EORI – national implementation