EORI Number for EU Imports
An EORI number is a customs identification number used to identify economic operators and other relevant persons when interacting with EU customs authorities.
For international shipments into Europe, the EORI structure should be confirmed before cargo arrival together with the importer, customs representative, commodity classification, customs value, duty, VAT and final delivery plan.
What Is an EORI Number?
EORI stands for Economic Operators Registration and Identification. It is the identification system used by EU customs authorities for customs operations.
The number identifies the relevant economic operator or other person in customs communications and declarations.
The Answer Depends on Who Is Performing the Customs Activity
Do not assume that the buyer, seller, warehouse, freight forwarder or customs broker automatically uses the same EORI.
EU Economic Operator
An economic operator established in the EU customs territory requires an EORI for customs operations.
Non-EU Company
A non-EU economic operator may require an EORI when carrying out specified EU customs activities.
Importer / Declarant
The shipment structure should identify which legal entity is performing the customs role.
Other Relevant Persons
Other persons may also need to provide an EORI where EU or national rules require one.
Freight Forwarder ≠ Importer ≠ Customs Representative
One shipment can involve several different legal and operational parties. Their responsibilities should be identified separately.
Do Not Assign Customs Roles by Assumption
The commercial buyer, delivery warehouse, importer, declarant, customs representative and logistics provider can all be different parties.
EU-Established and Non-EU Operators Follow Different Registration Logic
Apply Where the Company Is Established
For an economic operator established in the EU customs territory, the EORI is assigned by the national customs authority of the EU country where the operator is established.
Usually Start with the First EU Customs Operation
Where an economic operator is not established in EU customs territory but requires an EORI for an applicable customs activity, the assigning authority is generally the EU country where its first customs operation will take place.
Five Questions to Answer Before the Shipment Leaves Origin
What Does an EU EORI Number Look Like?
The structure includes the two-letter code of the issuing EU country followed by a country-specific identifier.
Country Code + Unique Identifier
The identifier following the country code can contain up to 15 alphanumeric characters, depending on the issuing member state.
Do not create or guess an EORI format yourself. Use the number assigned by the competent customs authority.
Customs Identification and Tax Registration Are Different
They can both appear in an EU import structure, but they serve different purposes.
EORI Number
Used to identify the relevant economic operator or other person in EU customs procedures.
VAT Number
Used for VAT-related tax identification and reporting according to the applicable business and transaction structure.
Registration Data and Shipment Data Should Be Consistent
The exact documents requested for an EORI registration depend on the relevant national customs authority and the applicant's situation.
For shipment planning, BRF recommends confirming the legal entity information before cargo departure.
DDP Does Not Automatically Create an EORI or an Importer
Incoterms allocate commercial responsibilities, but the actual customs identity, importer, declarant, representation and tax structure still need to be legally workable.
Confirm Import Structure Before Quoting DDP
The DDP freight quotation should be built around the actual legal import arrangement, not the other way around.
Having an EORI Does Not Mean the Importer Files Everything Alone
Customs declarations may involve an appointed representative, but the legal roles, instructions and applicable representation structure should be confirmed for the shipment.
Economic Operator
The relevant importer should understand its role, customs identity, classification, valuation and documentation responsibilities.
Declaration Support
A customs representative can lodge customs declarations within the applicable representation arrangement.
Logistics Coordination
BRF coordinates transport and customs-clearance planning, but freight forwarding itself does not automatically make BRF the importer or declarant.
Importer & EORI Data Checklist
Six Issues to Check Before Cargo Arrives
EORI Is Only One Part of EU Import Compliance
A valid customs identity does not replace classification, duty, VAT, ICS2 or applicable product and packaging compliance.
Import declaration, customs value and release planning.
Customs Clearance →Classification, origin and tariff treatment.
Import Duty →Tax treatment depends on the actual transaction structure.
Import VAT →ENS and advance-entry requirements where applicable.
ICS2 Guide →Applicable packaging obligations should be assessed separately.
PPWR Guide →Connect Customs Identity with the Final EU Destination
The EORI system is EU-wide, but customs procedures, tax arrangements and operational requirements still need to be checked for the actual shipment and country.
Related BRF Logistics Guides
Domande frequenti
What does EORI stand for?
EORI stands for Economic Operators Registration and Identification. It is the identification system used for relevant customs procedures within the EU customs territory.
Is an EORI number required for EU imports?
An EORI is mandatory for relevant economic operators and other applicable persons participating in EU customs-clearance activities such as import, export and transit procedures.
Does every non-EU company automatically need an EORI?
Not simply because the company sells goods to Europe. A non-EU economic operator requires an EORI when it performs customs activities for which EORI identification is required. The actual importer and declaration structure should therefore be confirmed first.
Where should an EU-established company obtain an EORI?
An economic operator established in EU customs territory normally receives its EORI from the national customs authority of the EU member state where it is established.
Where should a non-EU company obtain an EORI?
Where a non-EU economic operator needs an EORI and has no establishment in EU customs territory, the assigning authority is generally the member state where it intends to perform its first customs operation.
Can one company have several EU EORI numbers?
A person should have only one valid EORI number at any given time within the EU EORI system.
Does an EU EORI number expire?
EORI numbers do not normally have an expiry date, although they can be invalidated under applicable circumstances.
Is an EORI number the same as a VAT number?
No. EORI is primarily a customs identification number, while VAT registration relates to tax obligations. Both may be relevant to the same import transaction, but they serve different functions.
Does DDP automatically provide an EORI number?
No. DDP is a commercial Incoterm. It does not automatically create a legal entity, EORI registration, VAT registration or customs representation structure. These issues should be confirmed separately.
Does using a customs broker mean the importer does not need an EORI?
Not necessarily. Using a customs representative does not automatically remove the EORI requirement of the relevant economic operator. The declaration and representation structure must be reviewed for the shipment.
Does the receiving warehouse use its EORI for my shipment?
Not automatically. The warehouse, buyer, importer, declarant and customs representative may be different entities. The correct customs party should be identified before shipment.
Is a UK EORI the same as an EU EORI?
No. The United Kingdom uses its own customs and EORI structure. A Great Britain import should not automatically be treated as an EU EORI import.
How can an EORI problem delay customs clearance?
An invalid, missing or incorrectly assigned customs identity can prevent the declaration from being processed correctly and may delay cargo release.
What information should I send BRF before an EU DDP shipment?
Send the origin country, product description, HS code if available, cargo value, weight, volume, destination country, final postcode, buyer information, intended importer, existing EORI and VAT information where applicable, and the required delivery structure.
Confirm the Importer and EORI Before Your Cargo Reaches Europe.
Send BRF the cargo origin, EU destination, product information and your intended importer structure. We can help align the freight plan, customs-clearance preparation and final European delivery.