EORI: Economic Operator Registration Identification Number

What is an EORI number?

The EORI (Economic Operator Registration and Identification) is a unique number assigned by a customs authority in a European Community Member State to economic operators (businesses) or people.

By registering for customs purposes in one Member State, an Economic Operator (EO) is able to obtain an EORI number which is valid throughout the Community.

The EORI intends to implement the security measures of the Regulation (EC) nr. 648/2005 of the European Parliament and Council, that will be more effective if the persons involved in the customs operations could be identified by a unique number of registry.

Who needs an EORI number?

If your company is the exporter or the importer on a customs clearance document for a shipment through any UE country port or airpot, you need an EORI number, otherwise the shipment will not be cleared.

How can I obtain an EORI for my company?

You should get your EORI number in the member state where you did your first import/export trading. This will normally be your home country. Once you obtain the EORI number, this will be valid for all EU member states.

How can I get my EORI in Portugal?

Economic operators established in Portugal don’t need to apply for EORI number, because it will be obtain automatically through their NIF (Fiscal Identification Number).

Economic operator established outside European Community  which will do for the first time in the territory of the Community one operation that requires a EORI number, and in the condition that this first operation is made in Portugal, must always require a EORI number, in the electronic declaration portal of the AT, “menu EORI – Third Country operators registry”.

How can I get my EORI in Spain?

Spanish public limited companies (their NIF starts with a letter A) and limited liability companies (their NIF starts with a letter B), the Spanish VAT Tax Identification Number (NIF-IVA) is the same as their EORI number with “ES” before it (TIBA’s EORI for example is: ESA08536583). The Spanish authorities have automatically registered 90% of Spanish companies with the EORI database and numbers are automatically assigned to legal entities which are S.A.s (public limited companies) or S.L.s (limited liability companies).

Some Spanish Tax Identification Numbers (NIFs) may not have their corresponding EORIs, so it is advisable to check that the client’s Spanish EORI is valid on the official EU website.

If your company is not registered in Spain but it has a tax representation or is VAT-registered in Spain, then you still need an EORI number, which will normally be the same you already obtained in your home country.

WHEN APPLYING FOR AN EORI, HOW LONG BEFORE IT IS ACTIVATED AND GOODS CAN BE RELEASED?

Once you have applied you will have to wait for a few working days for it to be activated and the goods can then be released.

IF I AM A FOREIGNER AND ONLY HAVE AN EORI NUMBER, CAN I BEGIN EXPORTING AND IMPORTING?

No. You have to apply for your EORI to be linked to your NIF.