What is an EORI number?
The EORI number (Economic Operators’ Registration and Identification Number) has replaced the German customs number since 2009 and is an important component of the movement of goods between EU and non-EU countries.
In German, the EORI number is also referred to as “Registrierungs- und Identifizierungsnummer für Wirtschaftsbeteiligte.” It is to be used in every exchange of information with customs authorities in the course of trade activities. A common identification number leads to greater efficiency in customs procedures within the EU and therefore always has the same two-part format.
Structure of the EORI number
The EORI number contains up to 17 characters. It consists of:
Who needs an EORI number?
In general, all businesses – including Amazon sellers – need such a number when importing goods into the EU or exporting them from the EU. However, this number is not required for shipments within the EU.
In certain cases, namely when making more than 10 customs declarations per year, individuals are also required to use the EORI number.
In the following situations, the EORI number is used, for example:
EORI Number and Amazon (FBA) Business
In general, all businesses – including Amazon (FBA) sellers – need such a number when transporting goods into or out of the EU. However, this number is not required for shipments within the EU.
In certain cases, namely when making more than 10 customs declarations per year, individuals are also required to use the EORI number.
Where must the EORI number be provided?
The EORI number must generally be provided in customs declarations. Professional delivery services such as DHL Express, FedEx, or UPS handle the customs declaration and issue an invoice with all delivery and customs fees.
For a smooth customs clearance process, all economic operators should provide their EORI number to the delivery service in a timely manner. Therefore, if online retailers are shipping products to non-EU countries or expecting a delivery from a non-EU state, they must communicate their EORI number to the delivery service or include it with the shipment. Otherwise, the goods will be held during customs clearance until all required information is available.
Once the delivery service has the number, it is stored and does not need to be provided again for subsequent shipments with the same service provider.
If the goods are shipped without an intermediary service provider, sellers must handle the customs declaration themselves and provide all required information, including the EORI number.
Where can you apply for the EORI number
The EORI number can be applied for free and relatively quickly. First, set up a service account in the Customs Portal. Then, you can apply for the EORI number through your account under “EORI Number Management” by filling out form version 0870.
Paid service providers do not need to be used for this. Since the processing time for the application is about 3 to 4 weeks, it is important to apply for the EORI number for your Amazon business in a timely manner to ensure that customs matters are handled as smoothly as possible.
Do you need to verify the EORI number, and how can you find your EORI number?
If there is uncertainty about whether you already have an EORI number, check this first in the online database of the European Commission. However, it is much more important to validate the EORI number of another economic operator before entering into a partnership. It is part of the business obligations to verify the validity of the EORI number of business partners, such as suppliers. The result should then also be documented accordingly.
Frequently Asked Questions
The EORI number is a registration and identification number for economic operators who import goods into the EU or export them from the EU. It must be provided in every customs procedure and is valid across Europe for all shipments on behalf of the company.
The EORI number consists of a country code and a unique sequence of numbers. An EORI number from Germany might look like this: DE123456789012345.
The application process is usually straightforward and quick. However, it takes about four weeks to receive the assigned number. Therefore, anyone who needs such an identification number should ensure that the application is completed in a timely manner.
The EORI number can be applied for at customs. For this, only a service account in the Customs Portal is needed.
Entrepreneurs can check whether an EORI number is valid in the online database of the European Commission.
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