What is an EORI Number?

• What Is An EORI Number?
• Who Needs An EORI Number?
• How to apply for an EORI Number?
• How Do I Apply For An EORI Number?
• When Should I Apply For An EORI Number?
• What Happens If I Don't Have An EORI Number?

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{
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“@type”: “FAQPage”,
“mainEntity”: [{
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “What Is An EORI Number?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “An EORI number is an Economic Operator Registration and Identification number. The EORI system was brought in on the 1st July 2009 and replaced the Traders Union Reference Number System which previously identified traders for customs declarations when importing or exporting cargo.”
}
}, {
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “Who Needs An EORI Number?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “Anyone importing commercial goods from outside the EU (or exporting in the opposite direction) needs an EORI number. The number is also used by customs authorities when exchanging information between themselves and government departments and agencies. The purpose of an EORI number is for statistics and security.

If you’re moving goods within the EU or importing products for your own private use you won’t need an EORI number.”
}
}, {
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “How to apply for an EORI Number?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “To apply for an EORI number, all you need to do is fill in an online form that’s submitted to HMRC using your Government Gateway account (the same one you’ll use to submit your tax returns). The application form is available here. Businesses can also contact the HMRC EORI Team on 0300 322 7067.

If exporting goods via sea, or air freight it is important that you have this number before you want to ship your goods. When importing, you will only need the number before the goods arrive in the UK, so you may have a couple of weeks after sailing to organise this if your goods are shipping via sea (certainly if importing from China or elsewhere in Asia).

When you’re applying for an EORI number, we are more than happy to assist you. It’s now easier than ever, previously we’ve sent importers all the technical parts that you need to fill in. Now, there are no details of the import required. You just need to fill in the form with both your and your company details and submit online form off! It should only take you 5 minutes (2 if you’re VAT registered) and HMRC should allocate you a number on a few working days.”
}
}, {
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “Do I need an EORI number if I am VAT registered?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “If you are VAT registered, your EORI number will be an extension of your VAT number but you still need to apply for it. In simple terms, your EORI number would be prefixed with ‘GB’ and end in ‘000’ with your VAT number in-between.

You can check if you are EORI registered by typing in your supposed number on the EORI Checker:

If these checks turn out that you are not EORI registered, you only need to fill out a simple form which we are more than happy to help with. Give us a call.”
}
}, {
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “When Should I Apply For An EORI Number?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”:”As HMRC no longer require information about your shipment you can apply for an EORI number at any time.

The main time constraint is UK Customs clearance which is what you need the EORI number for. As long as you apply for it a week before your shipment is due to land, then HMRC should allocate you the number in plenty of time.

If you’re importing via air, time is a lot more critical. As it takes a few days, you’ll ideally apply for the EORI number before your goods are on the move. This should give HMRC the best chance to process your application before the shipment lands in the UK”
}
}, {
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “What Happens If I Don’t Have An EORI Number?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”:”If you use sea or air freight, your goods can’t be cleared through customs without it. When goods can’t be cleared through customs, they’re unable to enter the country. This means that you can’t get them and they will start accruing storage fees at the port or at the airport. Storage fees (also known as demurrage) can be extortionate and should be avoided at all costs.

You should be okay without an EORI number if shipping small amounts via courier, but if you’re using air or sea freight then you will definitely need an EORI number.”
}
}, {
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “How long does it take to get an EORI?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”:”It generally takes three to five working days for HMRC to process an EORI application and the number becomes active for you to use the day after issue.”
}
}, {
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “Is the EORI number the same as the VAT number?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”:”An EORI number is not the same as a VAT number. However, if you’re VAT registered, they are linked. When you apply for an EORI number as a VAT registered business HMRC will link all your imports to your VAT number. When imports are declared against your VAT-linked EORI number HMRC will send you a C79 form confirming that you can reclaim your import VAT on your standard VAT return.”
}
}, {
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “What is my EORI number?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”:”You aren’t automatically allocated an EORI number. You’ll have to apply for one. If you’re VAT registered HMRC will link your EORI to your VAT number. If you’re not VAT registered, HMRC will allocate you a full EORI number.”
}
}, {
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “What does EORI stand for?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”:”EORI is the acronym for an Economic Operator Registration and Identification number. You’ll need an EORI number to clear your goods through UK Customs. They are allocated to importers and exporters by HMRC pending the submission of a simple online application.”
}
}, {
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “Where can I find my EORI number?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”:”The easiest way to find your EORI will probably be to search your inbox for emails from HMRC with the subject “EORI – Application [OFFICIAL-SENSITIVE]”. This is how you’ll generally receive confirmation of your EORI number.”
}
}, {
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “How do I find out if I have an EORI number?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”:”To find out whether you already have an EORI number you’ll probably have to ask the EORI team directly using their online contact form. However, if you’re VAT registered, you can try using the below EORI Number Validation checker:

http://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/dds2/eos/eori_validation.jsp?Lang=en

To use it, you should type in your VAT number with “000” on the end (e.g. GB0123456789000). If it says that the number is valid then you should be good to go. If not, you probably need to apply for one using the following form: https://www.gov.uk/eori”
}
}, {
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “What Happens If I Don’t Have An EORI Number?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “If you use sea or air freight, your goods can’t be cleared through customs without it. When goods can’t be cleared through customs, they’re unable to enter the country. This means that you can’t get them and they will start accruing storage fees at the port or at the airport. Storage fees (also known as demurrage) can be extortionate and should be avoided at all costs.

You should be okay without an EORI number if shipping small amounts via courier, but if you’re using air or sea freight then you will definitely need an EORI number.”
}
}, {
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “How long does it take to get an EORI?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “It generally takes three to five working days for HMRC to process an EORI application and the number becomes active for you to use the day after issue.”
}
}, {
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “Is the EORI number the same as the VAT number?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “An EORI number is not the same as a VAT number. However, if you’re VAT registered, they are linked. When you apply for an EORI number as a VAT registered business HMRC will link all your imports to your VAT number. When imports are declared against your VAT-linked EORI number HMRC will send you a C79 form confirming that you can reclaim your import VAT on your standard VAT return.”
}
}, {
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “What is my EORI number?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “You aren’t automatically allocated an EORI number. You’ll have to apply for one. If you’re VAT registered HMRC will link your EORI to your VAT number. If you’re not VAT registered, HMRC will allocate you a full EORI number.”
}
}, {
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “What does EORI stand for?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”:”EORI is the acronym for an Economic Operator Registration and Identification number. You’ll need an EORI number to clear your goods through UK Customs. They are allocated to importers and exporters by HMRC pending the submission of a simple online application.”
}
}, {
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “Where can I find my EORI number?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”:”The easiest way to find your EORI will probably be to search your inbox for emails from HMRC with the subject “EORI – Application [OFFICIAL-SENSITIVE]”. This is how you’ll generally receive confirmation of your EORI number.”
}
}, {
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “How do I find out if I have an EORI number?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”:”To find out whether you already have an EORI number you’ll probably have to ask the EORI team directly using their online contact form. However, if you’re VAT registered, you can try using the below EORI Number Validation checker:

http://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/dds2/eos/eori_validation.jsp?Lang=en

To use it, you should type in your VAT number with “000” on the end (e.g. GB0123456789000). If it says that the number is valid then you should be good to go. If not, you probably need to apply for one using the following form: https://www.gov.uk/eori”}
}]
}