EORI Number Registration Services
We help companies obtain an Economic Operators Registration and Identification (EORI) number so that they can import, export and move goods through customs in the European Union and the United Kingdom. Our specialists prepare and file the application, liaise with the customs authority and guide you on how to use the number.
Support for trading companies, eCommerce businesses, manufacturers, logistics operators and non-EU companies starting to trade with the EU or the UK.
Service Overview
According to the European Commission, an 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. It uniquely identifies an economic operator, and a person can hold only one valid EORI number at any point in time.
An EU EORI number is assigned by a single customs authority and is used for customs operations across the EU. Businesses established in the EU apply in the EU country where they are established. Businesses with no establishment in the EU apply in the EU country where they intend to carry out their first customs operation, that is, lodge a declaration or apply for a decision.
In the United Kingdom, HMRC issues EORI numbers starting with GB for moving goods between Great Britain and other countries, including the EU, and numbers starting with XI for customs activities in Northern Ireland.
Compiled by Lexbit from official guidance published by the European Commission (Taxation and Customs Union) and HMRC on GOV.UK.
Types of EORI Numbers
EU EORI Number
Issued by the customs authority of an EU country and used for customs operations throughout the EU. It consists of the two-letter country code of the issuing EU country followed by an identifier of up to 15 alphanumeric characters.
GB EORI Number
Issued by HMRC for moving goods between Great Britain and any other country, including the EU, and between Great Britain and Northern Ireland. It is also needed to use UK customs systems such as the Customs Declaration Service.
XI EORI Number
Issued by HMRC for moving goods into Northern Ireland from Great Britain, moving goods between Northern Ireland and non-EU countries, making declarations or applying for customs decisions in Northern Ireland. A GB EORI number is required first.
Who Needs an EORI Number
Based on the official guidance, an EORI number is typically needed by:
- Businesses established in the EU that import, export or move goods in transit
- Non-EU businesses that lodge customs declarations, entry or exit summary declarations or temporary storage declarations in the EU, or act as carriers
- Businesses that move goods between Great Britain and other countries, including the EU
- Businesses that move goods into Northern Ireland from Great Britain or make declarations in Northern Ireland
- Businesses applying for customs decisions or registering for a UK export licence
Our Services
We provide end-to-end support with EORI registration.
Our services include:
- Assessment of which EORI number your business needs: EU, GB or XI
- Identification of the competent customs authority
- Collection and review of company information and documents
- Preparation and filing of the EORI application
- Liaison with the customs authority until the number is issued
- Guidance on using the number with customs brokers, carriers and customs systems
- Updates to registration details when company information changes
Key Benefits
The Right Number from the Start
Accurate Applications
Ready for Customs Clearance
Integrated Support
How We Help
Our specialists review where your company is established, where your goods will enter or leave the customs territory and which customs activities you plan to carry out. On that basis, we confirm which EORI number you need and which customs authority is competent to issue it.
We then prepare the application with the required company details, file it with the customs authority, respond to any follow-up questions and explain how to use the number in your import and export operations.
Our Process
1. Initial Consultation
We review your business model, supply chain and planned customs activities.
2. EORI Assessment
We confirm which EORI number you need and the competent customs authority.
3. Document Preparation
We collect and check the company information required for the application.
4. Application Filing
We file the EORI application with the customs authority.
5. Customs Liaison
We handle follow-up questions from the customs authority until the number is issued.
6. Ongoing Guidance
We advise on using the number and on updating your registration details when your company changes.
Why Choose Us
- Experience supporting international companies with EU and UK market entry.
- Clear guidance on EU, GB and XI EORI requirements.
- Support for both EU-established and non-EU companies.
- One team for incorporation, tax, accounting and customs registration.
Frequently Asked Questions
An Economic Operators Registration and Identification (EORI) number is a unique identifier that businesses provide to customs authorities for customs operations such as import, export and transit.
Yes. The EORI number is a common identification number across the EU. A business holds one EORI number issued by a single EU customs authority and uses it for customs operations in any EU country.
Yes, if it carries out customs activities in the EU, such as lodging customs declarations. It applies in the EU country where it intends to carry out its first customs operation, that is, lodge a declaration or apply for a decision.
Usually, yes. To move goods between Great Britain and other countries, including the EU, you may need a GB EORI number issued by HMRC. For customs activities in Northern Ireland, an XI EORI number may be required, unless you already hold an EU EORI number.
For a GB EORI number, HMRC states that the number is usually issued immediately, or within up to 5 working days if checks are needed. HMRC states that an XI EORI number is issued within 5 days. In EU countries, processing times depend on the national customs authority.
According to the European Commission, EORI numbers do not have an expiration date. They can be invalidated on request or if the business activities cease.
The European Commission provides an online EORI validation service for EU numbers, and HMRC provides a checker for GB numbers on GOV.UK.
Yes. Once the company is registered, we can prepare and file the EORI application as part of the setup, so the company is ready for its first import or export.
Start with a Consultation
Our specialists will confirm which EORI number you need, prepare and file the application and liaise with the customs authority until the number is issued.
Contact our experts today to obtain your EORI number and start trading with the EU and the UK.