Is Your Shipment Stuck at the Border? Start Here. If you are reading this, you might already be facing a "held at customs" notification. In the post-Brexit landscape of 2026, the EORI number (Economic Operator Registration and Identification) has become the single most critical data point for international trade.
It is no longer just a bureaucratic formality; it is the "passport" that allows your goods to move between the UK, the EU, and the rest of the world. Without it, your inventory stops moving, but your storage fees keep running.
We wrote this guide because the rules have changed. It is no longer enough to have one number. From the "Double EORI" requirement for cross-channel trade to the specific "XI" protocols for Northern Ireland, compliance has become a complex web of acronyms. This article cuts through the noise, providing a technical roadmap for logistics managers to validate their status, apply correctly, and ensure their cargo never gets flagged for a missing ID again.
An EORI (Economic Operator Registration and Identification) number is a unique alphanumeric ID used by customs authorities throughout the European Union and the United Kingdom to track and secure shipments.
Think of it as the "Passport" for your cargo. Just as a traveler cannot enter a country without a passport, your goods cannot clear customs without an EORI. It allows authorities to identify exactly who is importing or exporting goods and check their security record.
Why do you actually need it?
Typically, an EORI number consists of the country code of the issuing country followed by a unique set of digits. For example, if you’re a business in Great Britain and you’re VAT registered, your EORI number will begin with GB followed by your VAT registration number + 000. For example, GB987654312000.
If you’re not VAT registered, it will be GB followed by a unique number issued by HMRC.
The EORI Code is used exclusively for customs and has no fiscal or administrative value.
As we said previously, its purpose is to monitor and track all shipments entering and leaving the European Union. Specifically, it uniquely identifies economic agents engaged in EU customs activities and provides a universal reference for customs authorities across different countries, simplifying the exchange of information between customs and other government departments.
The EORI code is mandatory in all communications with the customs authorities of the European Union member states, whenever it is required.
Information related to the EORI code is stored in a central electronic database which allows customs authorities to quickly and easily identify the economic operators along with their customs clearance operations across all European Union countries.
There are several ways to check the validity of your EORI number, from a manual check to online tools. Here are 4 suggestions:
In general, the EORI number is issued by the competent authority in the country where a company or economic operator is registered. This authority varies from country to country and can be a national customs agency, a tax office, or a foreign trade government organization.
The issuing authority assigns EORI numbers and keeps track of the economic operators registered in their country. Each issuing authority follows specific procedures and requirements for obtaining the EORI number and can provide assistance and information on registration applications.
How to apply for an EORI number in the UK?
UK applications are handled online via HMRC. You simply need to complete a form. You will find one for VAT registered applicants, one for non VAT registered from if exporting or a non VAT registered form if importing.
If you own a business based in the UK, make sure you possess the following information before applying:
One of the most common errors we see in 2026 is assuming one number covers everything. Since Brexit, the UK and EU are separate customs territories.
The "Two-Number" Strategy:
If you are a UK brand storing stock in a French warehouse (3PL) to fulfill EU orders, a GB EORI is not enough.
Without both, your stock transfer will fail.
|
Region |
Format Structure |
Example |
Use Case |
|
Great Britain (GB) |
GB + 9-digit VAT + 000 |
GB123456789000 |
Imports/Exports in England, Scotland, Wales. |
|
Northern Ireland (XI) |
XI + 9-digit VAT + 000 |
XI123456789000 |
Moving goods between GB and NI (Windsor Framework). |
|
European Union (EU) |
Country Code + Unique ID |
FR1234567890123 |
Imports/Exports within any EU member state. |
|
Non-VAT Registered |
GB + "Pseudo" ID |
GB098765432000 |
Micro-businesses under the VAT threshold. |
Applying is digital and instantaneous.
If you are a US company acting as the "Importer of Record" in Europe (e.g., selling DDP), you cannot apply directly.
Before handing your cargo to a carrier, validate the receiver's EORI. If their number is invalid, the carrier will return the goods to you at your expense.
Enter an EORI number to validate its format. This tool checks against UK (GB/XI) and EU patterns.
Troubleshooting: "My EORI is Invalid!"
If the validator rejects your number:
Get an estimate of customs duties and taxes for your shipment. Enter your product details below.
EORI vs. VAT vs. HS Codes
This is where most errors happen. Here is the definitive distinction:
You need all three on a Commercial Invoice.
An EORI (Economic Operator Registration and Identification) number is a unique alphanumeric ID used by customs authorities in the UK and EU to track and secure shipments. It acts like a "passport" for your cargo; without it, commercial goods cannot clear customs, leading to border delays and storage fees.
Yes. Since Brexit, the UK and EU are separate customs territories. If you export from the UK and import into an EU country (like France), you typically need both a GB EORI to clear UK customs and an EU EORI (e.g., FR or IT) to clear EU customs.
A: While they often look similar, they serve different purposes. Your VAT number identifies "who pays the tax" (fiscal ID), while your EORI number identifies "who is moving the goods" (security & operator ID). You cannot use them interchangeably for customs declarations.
An XI EORI number is a specialized identification required specifically for trading with Northern Ireland under the Northern Ireland Protocol. It is distinct from your standard GB EORI and typically follows the format XI + 9-digit VAT + 000.
Generally, no. If your business has no physical presence in the EU (e.g., a US company shipping DDP), you cannot apply directly. You must appoint an Indirect Customs Representative or Fiscal Representative to apply on your behalf, as they will share liability for the customs debt.
Common reasons for rejection include checking a GB number in an EU database (the databases are not connected) or your ERP system cutting off the final "000" suffix of the ID. Also, new registrations can take 24–48 hours to propagate to the central database.
No. If you only ship documents or letters, an EORI number is not required. It is mandatory only for commercial shipments of goods.