EORI Number: What It Is, How to Apply, and Why You Need One for EU Trade

An EORI number is the one identifier EU customs cannot process a declaration without — not for imports, not for exports, not for transit. Almost any company that brings goods into or out of the European Union, even once, needs to hold one, and it has to be requested ahead of time, not once the truck is already waiting at the border. This guide covers what an EORI number actually is, who needs one, how to apply for it step by step, and the mistakes that most often hold up a shipment.

What an EORI number is

EORI stands for Economic Operators Registration and Identification. It's a unique number issued by the customs authority of one EU member state that identifies a company or individual consistently across every customs transaction carried out anywhere in the Union. The European Commission's official EORI page states it plainly: an EORI number is mandatory for the clearance of all types of customs operations in the EU's customs territory, including import, export and transit.

In terms of format, an EORI number is a two-letter ISO country code followed by a unique identifier of up to 15 characters. In France it's typically built from the company's SIRET number; in Spain, from the national tax number (NIF) prefixed with "ES". The legal basis sits in Article 9 of the Union Customs Code (Regulation (EU) No 952/2013), with the operational detail set out in Articles 3-7 of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2015/2446 and Articles 6-7 of Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/2447, which together establish the single electronic EORI registry shared by every member state.

Who actually needs an EORI number

An EORI number is required for three categories of trader:

• EU-established companies that file a customs declaration — import, export or transit — in their own name or through a customs representative.
• Companies and individuals established outside the EU if they file a customs declaration or an entry/exit summary declaration themselves, or act as a carrier within the Union — meaning the requirement extends beyond importers and exporters to some non-EU hauliers as well.
• Private individuals, in specific cases where a member state's national legislation requires it — for example, regular commercial-style shipments made in a private capacity.

If you're simply buying finished goods on DDP terms, where the seller clears the goods and delivers them to you already released, or moving goods purely between two EU countries with no external border involved, you may not need your own EORI number for that particular transaction — but that's worth confirming for the specific deal, not assumed by default. We cover a similar distinction in our article on who pays customs duties and VAT depending on the Incoterm: the delivery term decides not just who pays, but who is on the hook for clearance in the first place.

One number for the whole EU — and it costs nothing

Two things get mixed up constantly here. First, an EORI number is not valid "only in the country that issued it." It's entered into a shared EU-wide electronic database, and once assigned, customs authorities in all 27 member states recognise it — there's no need to register again to trade with a different EU country. The Commission's own EORI guidance is built around exactly this point: having one common identification number across the EU improves efficiency for both economic operators and customs authorities.

Second, applying for the number costs nothing. The European Commission's official guidance states it directly: "The EORI number is assigned, to the interested person, free of charge by the competent customs authorities of the Member States." If a provider quotes you a fee to "get your EORI sorted," you're paying for their help filing the paperwork, not for the number itself — that's a legitimate service, but it's worth knowing exactly what you're paying for.

It's also worth not confusing an EORI number with a VAT number. They're two separate registrations serving different purposes, even though in some countries — Spain being a good example — the EORI number is technically built on top of the company's tax number. Holding a valid VAT registration doesn't substitute for an EORI number, and the reverse is equally true.

How to apply for an EORI number, step by step

The exact procedure is run by the national customs authority of the country where your company is established, but the underlying logic is consistent across the EU:

1. Identify the right country to apply in. For an EU-established company, that's the country of establishment. For a company based outside the EU, it's the member state where your first customs operation will actually take place.
2. Check whether a number has already been assigned. Where a company's tax registration is already linked to its customs profile — France's SIRET or Spain's NIF, for example — an EORI number can sometimes be generated automatically at the first customs transaction. Confirm this with your national customs authority before filing a separate application.
3. Submit the application through the national customs portal. In France, this runs through the SOPRANO EORI service on the French customs portal; in Spain, through the tax agency's online office. You'll need your company's registration details and a description of the trading activity involved.
4. Wait for the number to be issued. Timing depends on the country and how complete your application is: French customs, for instance, states that a number becomes active in its own system roughly 24 hours after issue, though full synchronisation with the EU's central EORI database can take a little longer. File well before your first planned shipment, not on the day it's due to move.
5. Verify the number before your first transaction. Especially with a new trading partner — ask for their EORI number and check both numbers against the EU's official validation database before the goods leave the warehouse.

The number is issued once and doesn't expire, so there's no need to reapply for each shipment. If you're setting up your first import into the EU and want the full picture beyond EORI alone, our guide to EU customs clearance step by step for a first shipment walks through the rest of the process.

The EORI mistakes that most often delay a shipment

• Applying too late. Issuance isn't instant, and a shipment that can't be declared without a valid EORI number simply sits still, racking up storage costs while you wait.
• Using the wrong party's EORI number. A declaration sometimes lists the forwarder's or carrier's number instead of the actual importer's or exporter's — customs rejects this because the declared party has to be the real principal to the transaction.
• Not verifying a new partner's number before the first shipment. An inactive, outdated or mistyped EORI number stops customs processing just as effectively as having no number at all.
• Confusing EORI with a VAT number. A company assumes that because it holds a valid VAT registration, it doesn't need a separate EORI number — customs treats them as two distinct registers.
• Assuming a separate EORI number is needed per EU country. It isn't: one number, issued once, is valid across all 27 member states.

Frequently asked questions about EORI

Do I need an EORI number for a single, one-off import? Yes — the requirement doesn't depend on how often you ship. Even a single import needs a valid EORI number in place at the time the declaration is filed.

Can my freight forwarder or carrier get an EORI number on my behalf? No. An EORI number identifies a specific legal entity or individual — the actual party to the transaction. A forwarder can help you file the application, but the number is issued to your company, not to them.

How do I check that a trading partner's EORI number is valid? Through the European Commission's official validation database — the check takes a few minutes and is worth doing before your first shipment with any new counterparty.

Next step

An EORI number is a one-off administrative task, not an ongoing burden: apply once, verify it before your first deal, and it works across all 27 EU countries with no need to reapply. The real complexity usually starts after that — with customs clearance, transit paperwork and the shipment itself. If your EORI is already sorted and you need to move freight, our LTL groupage service on the France–Belgium route, saving up to 45% versus a full truck, is worth a look. And for the paperwork that comes next once goods are actually moving, it's worth understanding how your EORI number works alongside the CMR note and the T1 transit document. Request a free quote and get a preliminary answer, including guidance on the paperwork, in 15 to 30 minutes.