Do You Need an EORI Number in Switzerland?

Short answer: no. Switzerland is not in the EU or the EU customs union, so it does not issue EORI numbers.

What Switzerland businesses use instead

For Swiss customs, businesses are identified by their UID (Unternehmens-Identifikationsnummer) and customs client number.

Official source: Federal Office for Customs and Border Security (FOCBS/BAZG).

When a Switzerland business does need an EU EORI

If your business acts as the importer or exporter of record inside the EU, you must register for an EU EORI in the member state where you first lodge a customs declaration. You can then check it with our validator.

Frequently asked questions

Does Switzerland use EORI numbers?

No. Switzerland is not in the EU or the EU customs union, so it does not issue EORI numbers.

What is used instead of an EORI in Switzerland?

For Swiss customs, businesses are identified by their UID (Unternehmens-Identifikationsnummer) and customs client number. This is administered by the Federal Office for Customs and Border Security (FOCBS/BAZG).

Does a Swiss company ever need an EU EORI?

Yes — if your Swiss business acts as the importer or exporter of record inside the EU, you must obtain an EU EORI from the customs authority of the member state where you first lodge a declaration.

This page provides general guidance only, not legal or customs advice. Always confirm the current requirements with the relevant national customs authority and official EU sources before relying on this information.