View source for EORI (Economic Operators Registration and Identification) - ID

= EORI Number =

== What is an EORI number? ==

An EORI number is an ''Economic Operators Registration and Identification'' number.

It is a unique identification number used by customs authorities to identify economic operators involved in customs activities. Businesses and, in some cases, individuals need an EORI number when importing goods into or exporting goods out of the customs territory of the European Union.

An EORI number allows customs authorities to recognise the same economic operator across customs declarations, safety and security filings, and other customs-related processes.

== Why is an EORI number needed? ==

An EORI number is needed for customs processes involving international trade.

The main reasons are:

* '''Customs clearance''' - An EORI number is required for customs declarations, entry summary declarations and exit summary declarations. Without a valid EORI number, shipments may be delayed or blocked at the border.
* '''Data exchange''' - The EORI number allows customs authorities, businesses and logistics parties to exchange customs data efficiently and consistently across EU member states.
* '''Identification and tracking''' - The EORI number uniquely identifies the economic operator involved in cross-border trade activities.

== Who needs an EORI number? ==

An EORI number is generally needed by economic operators that interact with EU customs authorities.

This includes:

* '''EU-based businesses''' - Companies, sole proprietors and other economic operators established in the EU that import goods into or export goods out of the EU.
* '''Non-EU businesses''' - Companies established outside the EU that act as importer of record, lodge customs declarations, or submit safety and security declarations in the EU.

In practice, an EORI number is required when an economic operator needs to be identified in EU customs procedures.

== Structure of an EORI number ==

An EORI number is unique and consists of letters and numbers.

For EU member states, the EORI number usually starts with a two-letter country code that identifies the member state that issued the number.

Examples of country codes:

* <code>NL</code> - Netherlands
* <code>DE</code> - Germany
* <code>FR</code> - France
* <code>BE</code> - Belgium

The country code is followed by a national identifier. The exact structure of the national identifier depends on the issuing country.

A simplified structure is:

<code>Country Code</code> + <code>National Identifier</code>

Example:

<code>NL123456789</code>

== How to get an EORI number ==

An EORI number is normally requested from the customs authority of the country where the economic operator is established.

For example:

* A business established in the Netherlands applies through Dutch Customs.
* A business established in Germany applies through German customs.
* A business established in another EU member state applies through the customs authority of that member state.

Applying for an EORI number is generally free of charge.

Non-EU businesses that need an EORI number should apply in the EU member state where they first carry out customs activities, or where they are required to lodge customs declarations.

== EORI in data exchange ==

In data exchange, an EORI number can be used as an external identifier for an economic operator.

It identifies the party for customs purposes, but it does not replace all other identifiers. The same economic operator may also have other identifiers, such as:

* Legal Entity Identifier, or LEI
* VAT number
* D-U-N-S number
* Company registration number
* Tax identification number
* GLN

For this reason, an EORI number should usually be stored as one of the external identifiers linked to the economic operator.

== Suggested field names ==

For data exchange, the following field names can be used:

* <code>EconomicOperatorID</code> - The main VTA Economic Operator identifier
* <code>ExternalIdentifierType</code> - The type of external identifier, for example <code>EORI</code>
* <code>ExternalIdentifierValue</code> - The EORI number itself
* <code>CountryCode</code> - The country related to the identifier, where relevant
* <code>IssuingAuthority</code> - The customs authority or issuing organisation, where known

Example:

<code>ExternalIdentifierType</code>: <code>EORI</code>

<code>ExternalIdentifierValue</code>: <code>NL123456789</code>

<code>CountryCode</code>: <code>NL</code>

== Summary ==

An EORI number is a customs identifier used to identify economic operators involved in import and export activities with the European Union.

It is required for many customs processes and supports efficient data exchange between businesses, logistics parties and customs authorities.

In a broader economic operator registry, the EORI number should be treated as an external identifier linked to the economic operator, alongside other identifiers such as LEI, VAT number, D-U-N-S number and company registration number.

[[Category:Identifiers]]