Economic Operator Registration and Identification (EORI) Scheme
Who needs an EORI number?
You need an Economic Operator Registration and Identification (EORI) number to trade goods with countries outside the EU.
Who needs an EORI
You need an Economic Operators Registration and Identification number (EORI number) if you move goods:
- between Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) or the Isle of Man and any other country (including the EU)
- between Great Britain and Northern Ireland
- between Great Britain and the Channel Islands
- between Northern Ireland and countries outside the EU
You’ll need your EORI number if you:
- appoint someone to deal with customs for you
- make customs declarations
- use customs systems, such as the Customs Handling of Import and Export Freight (CHIEF) system and the Import Control System Northern Ireland (ICS NI)
- apply for a customs decision
Which type of EORI number you need and where you get it from depends on where you’re moving goods to and from. You may need more than one.
If you do not have the right EORI number, you may have delays at customs and increased costs, for example your goods may have to be stored until you get an EORI.
Check which EORI number you need
If you’re based in the UK you must get an EORI number that starts with GB. If you already have an EORI number and it does not start with GB, you must apply for a GB EORI number.
You may also need an EORI number starting with XI if you move goods to or from Northern Ireland.
If your business will be making certain declarations or getting a customs decision in the EU you may need an EORI number from an EU country. Contact the customs authority in an EU country to get an EU EORI number. You do not need an EORI number from an EU country if you already have an XI EORI number.
If you move goods to or from Northern Ireland
You must have an Economic Operators Registration and Identification number (EORI number) that starts with XI if you:
- move goods from Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) to Northern Ireland
- move goods from Northern Ireland to another non-EU country
- make a declaration in Northern Ireland
- apply for a customs decision in Northern Ireland
You only need to declare certain goods you move from Northern Ireland to Great Britain. Check if you need to make an export declaration and will need an XI EORI number.
Only people or organisations based in Northern Ireland or the EU can be named as the ‘declarant’ on import and export declarations made in Northern Ireland.
You do not need an EORI number if you only move goods on the island of Ireland or between an EU country and Northern Ireland.
Find out how to apply for an XI EORI number.
Get help and advice if you move goods between Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Sign up for the Trader Support Service to get advice on EORI numbers and moving goods between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
You must declare your goods arriving or leaving the European Union within set time limits. If you supply normal import or export declarations, you will be covered, but if you're not declaring them in the usual way, you will need an EORI number to complete an Entry Summary Declaration or an Exit Summary Declaration.
Traders wishing to register or who are already registered as an Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) will need an EORI number.
What is an Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) certificate?
An AEO certificate is an internationally recognised quality mark that proves your role in the international supply chain is secure and that your customs controls and procedures are efficient and compliant.
For more information and to find out whether AEO status is available to you, see Authorised Economic Operators.
How to check for EORI status
You can check for EORI status If you have a UK VAT number. Please prefix your nine digit VAT number with 'GB' and suffix with '000', eg GB123456789000 (do not put any spaces between the digits).