Question 1

Do non-EU businesses need an EORI number?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Any non-EU business that lodges a customs declaration anywhere in the EU — including indirect representation through a customs broker — must hold an EORI. You register in the first EU member state where you submit a declaration, and the number is then valid across the whole union.

Question 2

How long does EORI registration take?

Accepted Answer

Most EU member states issue an EORI within 1–3 business days, though some (notably Germany and the Netherlands) can issue it in under 24 hours when the application is complete. Delays usually trace back to missing supporting documents — VAT registration certificate, company extract, or proof of business activity.

Question 3

Can my EORI be revoked?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Customs authorities may revoke an EORI if the operator ceases activity, fails compliance audits, becomes insolvent, or is sanctioned. Revocation is published in the central EU EORI database. Always validate an EORI immediately before filing to avoid rejected declarations.

Question 4

What is the difference between EORI and a VAT number?

Accepted Answer

A VAT (or VAT ID) number is the tax registration used for value-added tax collection within a member state. An EORI is a customs registration used for cross-border declarations. Many EU operators have both, and in some countries the EORI is derived from the VAT number — but they are not interchangeable.

Question 5

Is the EORI number free to obtain?

Accepted Answer

Yes. EORI registration is free of charge in every EU member state. Some commercial intermediaries charge an "assistance fee" to file the application on your behalf, but the registration itself does not incur any government fee.

Question 6

How do I find my EORI number if I have lost it?

Accepted Answer

You can recover your EORI through the issuing member state's customs portal, or by contacting your national customs authority directly. The European Commission's public EORI validation page also accepts an EORI lookup if you remember the format — it will confirm whether the number is currently active.

Question 7

Is the UK EORI still valid in the EU after Brexit?

Accepted Answer

GB-prefixed EORI numbers are no longer valid for declarations inside the EU customs union. UK traders moving goods into the EU need a separate EU EORI, registered in any one EU member state. The UK now maintains its own GB EORI system for declarations entering or leaving Great Britain.

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