Last Updated on April 1, 2025 by BusinAssist Editorial Team
International trading can be complex since traders are required to comply with the laws and legislation of different jurisdictions.
The UK is no different. Businesses and individuals involved in cross-border trade within Great Britain, Northern Ireland, and the European Union must have an EORI number.
Customs authorities use the Economic Operators Registration and Identification Number to identify businesses and individuals involved in trading activities.
Do private individuals need an EORI number? Let’s explore if an individual needs the number to conduct import and export business in the UK, including how to get an EORI number.
What is the EORI number used for?
If you are involved in export and import business activities within Great Britain and the European Union, then you will need an EORI number to be cleared by the customs.
Introduced in 2009, the EORI number ensures a quick and effective process for customs.
Border transactions can be challenging, but the EORI number makes the time-consuming process easier and faster. The EORI number is used by customs authorities, freighters, importers, and exporters to identify businesses involved in international trading.
With an EORI number, importers and exporters can avoid delays that can be costly during border transactions. The EORI number is for:
- tracking goods in and out of Europe
- custom clearance
- Assisting with qualifying trade agreements
- Claiming preferential origin under the EU-UK Trade Cooperation Agreement
How do the different types of EORI numbers work?
EORI numbers are for EU member states, Northern Ireland, and the UK.
The EORI number can be identified by the two-letter prefix for example, GB is for the UK, and XI is for Northern Ireland. The EU starts with the two-letter ISO country code of the issuing member state like FR for France or DE for Germany.
The UK EORI code format starts with ‘GB,’ then the business’ VAT registration number, and ‘000’.
For example: GB291834567000.
However, if you are not VAT registered, the format is ‘GB’ and a unique number given by HMRC.
For example: GB987654321067.
The EORI reference can be provided by each EU country, through each country’s national customs authority, and this allows the management of customs processes to be carried out effectively.
Who needs an EORI number?
Multiple businesses in the UK do not need EORI numbers, however, those companies conducting imports or exports within the EU and Great Britain must obtain this identifier.
Your business needs an Economic Operator Registration and Identification number if:
- The business is moving products between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
- Moving products from Great Britain (consisting of England and Scotland together with Wales) and the Isle of Man to any other nation including EU member states.
- All international goods trade from or to Northern Ireland and non-EU nations.
- Conducting trade operations between Great Britain and the Channel Islands.
- The business works with customs systems for declaration purposes through CHIEF or Import Control System Northern Ireland (ICS NI)
Your company needs to maintain either a UK registered office or a central headquarters or permanent establishment for customs activities which contains consistently situated HR and technical resources.
Do private individuals need an EORI number?
An EORI number is assigned to any individual or business involved in international trading activities. However, when it comes to private individuals, will only need an EORI number when importing or exporting goods for personal use or CBAM goods from outside the EU.
What are CBAM goods? These are goods that are produced outside the EU and are subject to the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). These goods include hydrogen, aluminium, iron, electricity, cement, fertilisers, and steel.
These goods have reporting requirements such as:
- Registration on the CBAM transitional registry
- Quarterly reports of the filing of CBAM imports
- Purchase of CBAM certificates
- Reporting the quantity of CBAM goods imported by May 31 of the year following the import
Why is an EORI number important?
Custom clearance: The only way your goods can be cleared at the border is if you have an EORI number. You must submit the EORI number if you are importing or exporting goods from the EU or the UK.
Identification: Custom authorities, freighters, importers, and exporters need an EORI number to identify every business and individual involved in international trading within the UK and EU.
Streamlines the trading process: An EORI number streamlines the complexities of international trading within the UK and EU. It helps reduce the unnecessary hassle and time-consuming stress of trading globally.
Trade compliance: Having an EORI number shows that a business is compliant with legal trade regulations in the UK and EU.
Do I need a VAT number to apply for an EORI number?
Although you do not have to be VAT registered to apply for an EORI number, you can still do so.
When the EORI number was introduced in 2009, businesses that were VAT registered. Their EORI number were automatically aligned with their VAT numbers.
If you have a non-VAT EORI number before the tax registration, you have to deregister that and get a new VAT-related EORI number after completion of the tax registration.
The GB part of this EORI identifier will stand for Great Britain, and the last four numbers will be ‘000’. GB + VAT number + 000.
How to get an EORI number?
You will need some important documents when applying for an EORI number. Here is what you will have to prepare:
- Your Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR).
- The initial start date of the business
- Your Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) code
- Your Government Gateway user ID and password.
- VAT number, if applicable
- Your National Insurance number.
The good news for anyone whose business is not UK-based; you won’t need a UTR number, a SIC code, or a National Insurance number to register for an EORI number.
Do not worry if you don’t already have a Government Gateway user ID! You will be able to get one when applying.
Filling out the application for an EORI number may be daunting, especially for those unfamiliar with the trading legal requirements of the European Union, the UK, and Northern Ireland. But don’t worry, BusinAssist is here to help.
Whether you reside in the UK or not, we will help you obtain your EORI number with minimal documentation requirements at a competitive rate.
All you have to do is visit our website, fill out our 2-minute online application form, pay, and we will do the rest. Within 2 -3 hours, your EORI number will be sent to you via Email.
How long will it take to get your EORI number? Usually, an online application can take between 2 to 3 hours. But it may take around five working days if HMRC needs further checks.
Once your application is approved, you can check your EORI number with an EORI number checker service.
Do private individuals need an EORI number? As mentioned above, private individuals only need an EORI number unless they are importing or exporting goods for personal use or CBAM goods from outside the EU. The EORI number has simplified trading within the EU, Northern Ireland, and the UK borders.
Get the EORI number today with BusinAssist to simplify your import and export activities. We also offer VAT registration services for businesses that have exceeded the VAT threshold of £90,000. The service also caters for businesses that want to voluntarily register for a VAT number even if they have not exceeded the VAT threshold.
For more information on the EORI and VAT number registration, contact us at [email protected].
FAQs
Q: How long does it take to get an EORI number online?
Ans: It may take 2 to 3 hours to get an EORI through an online application.
Q: Does my VAT number have EORI status?
Ans: Yes, your VAT number may have an EORI status. If your business was VAT registered in 2009, your EORI number will automatically have a VAT number. If not, once you register for the VAT number, you will need a new EORI number which will be connected to your VAT number.
Q: Does my company have an EORI number?
Ans: Check the Economic Operator Identification and Registration system, if your company was automatically registered for an EORI.
Q: Does an individual need an EORI number?
Ans: Yes, an individual needs an EORI number as long as he/she is involved in import and export activities in Great Britain and the European Union.
Q: Does an EORI number expire?
Ans: EORI number does not expire but can be invalidated.
Q: Do you need an EORI number to import?
Ans: Yes, you need an EORI number to import goods into the European Union and Great Britain.
Q: Do you need an EORI number for services?
Ans: No, an EORI number is not required for services. However, if your service-based business starts importing and exporting goods within the UK and EU, you may need to apply for an EORI number.
Q: Do sole traders need an EORI number?
Ans: Yes, sole traders will need an EORI number as long as they are importing and exporting goods internationally.
Q: Do I need an EORI number to export from the UK?
Ans: Yes, you need an EORI number to export goods from the UK to the EU or non-European countries.
Q: Do I need an EORI number if I am or my company is not VAT registered?
Ans: Yes, you need an EORI number even if you are not VAT-registered. An EORI number does not qualify you to be VAT registered. Registration of VAT number happens when a business exceeds the VAT threshold, which is £90,000, or a business that wants to voluntarily register for VAT even if their annual taxable turnover hasn’t exceeded the VAT threshold.
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The BusinAssist Editorial Team has 15+ years of experience writing about small business and company formation in the UK, Canada, and the USA. We simplify complex processes and provide practical insights to help entrepreneurs succeed.