EORI stands for “Economic Operators Registration and Identification number”.

Businesses and people wishing to trade must use the EORI number as an identification number in all customs procedures when exchanging information with Customs Authorities.

Having one common type of identification number across the EU is more efficient, both for economic operators and customs authorities.

It is also more efficient for statistical and security purposes.

Format of the EORI number

The EORI number exists out of two parts:

• the country code of the issuing Member State; followed by
• a code or number that is unique in the Member State Any economic operator established in the customs territory of the Union needs, for customs purposes, an EORI number.

Who needs an EORI number?

Any economic operator established in the customs territory of the Union needs, for customs purposes, an EORI number.

Economic operators not established in the customs territory of the Union also need an EORI for a number of different situations.

For example:

• to lodge a customs declaration in the customs territory of the Union.
• to submit an Entry Summary Declaration (ENS).
• to lodge an Exit Summary Declaration.
• to lodge a temporary storage declaration in the customs territory of the Union.
• act as a carrier for the purposes of transport by sea, inland waterway or air.
• act as a carrier who is connected to the customs system and wishes to receive any of the notifications provided for in the customs legislation regarding the lodging or amendment of entry summary declarations.

Persons other than economic operators shall be registered in following situations:

• where such registration is required by the national legislation of a Member State.
• where the person engages in operations for which an EORI number must be provided according to the EU customs legislation.

It is irrelevant if the economic operator is a company (legal entity) or a physical person.

How can you request an EORI number?

• People residing in the customs territory of the European Union should request the assignment of the EORI number to the customs authorities of the EU country in which they are established.
• People not residing in the customs territory of the European Union should request the assignment of the EORI number to the customs authorities of the EU country responsible for the place where they first lodge a declaration or apply for a decision.

Cosmatos Group can take care of all necessary procedures to issue an EORI NR., including handing the required documents to the Customs Office, monitoring the process and picking up the EORI NR.