What Is an EORI Number? Complete Guide for E-commerce Merchants

Why do I need an EORI number?

An EORI (Economic Operators Registration and Identification) number is a unique identifier assigned to businesses and individuals conducting international trade within the European Union. It simplifies customs processes and is essential for businesses importing or exporting goods across EU borders. Without an EORI number, shipments can be delayed or even stopped at customs, leading to added costs and potential business disruptions.

For companies operating within the EU or trading with EU countries, an EORI number is essential for tracking and identifying shipments as they move through customs. This number also ensures compliance with EU regulations and allows authorities to accurately assess any taxes, duties, and import/export restrictions that apply to the goods.

What is an EORI number?

An EORI number is a registration number used by customs authorities in the European Union to track shipments and facilitate trade. Each EORI number is unique and consists of a two-letter country code followed by a sequence of numbers — the country code tells customs which member state issued it, and the number sequence identifies the specific business or individual.

The EORI number is part of the EU's effort to create a more efficient, standardized customs system across member states. When goods are imported or exported, customs agencies use the EORI number to quickly retrieve details about the business or individual involved, as well as relevant shipment information.

EORI number format by country

The format varies slightly across EU member states — most use the country code followed by the business's VAT or tax registration number, but the exact structure differs:

Norway is not an EU member but requires its own EORI-equivalent for commercial exports. The UK uses a GB EORI number separately from the EU system since Brexit.

You can verify any EU EORI number — or look up an existing number — using the EU EORI validation tool.

Do I need an EORI number?

Not everyone shipping internationally needs one. The requirement depends on whether you are shipping commercially and whether your shipments cross a customs border.

You need an EORI number if you:

• Export goods commercially from the EU to non-EU countries (UK, USA, Norway, Switzerland, etc.)
• Import goods commercially into the EU from non-EU countries
• Regularly ship internationally as a business, even at low volumes
• File customs declarations yourself rather than through a carrier's brokerage

You do not typically need an EORI number if you:

• Are a private individual sending personal gifts or non-commercial items
• Ship exclusively within the EU — intra-EU shipments do not cross a customs border and do not require EORI
• Are a small occasional sender where a freight forwarder or carrier handles all customs declarations on your behalf

For most Shopify merchants shipping internationally from an EU country, an EORI number is a requirement. The cost is zero — registration is free — and the process is quick. There is no good reason to delay registration once you start shipping internationally.

How do I acquire an EORI number?

Obtaining an EORI number is typically a straightforward process, though it may vary slightly depending on your country of residence or registration. Here's a general guide to acquiring an EORI number:

1. Apply through the national customs authority. Applications are submitted to the customs authority in the EU country where your business is based. Most countries offer an online application process through their official customs or trade portals:

• Finland: Tulli (Finnish Customs) — apply via the Customs portal
• Sweden: Tullverket
• Estonia: Estonian Tax and Customs Board
• Latvia: State Revenue Service
• Lithuania: Lithuanian Customs
• Denmark: Told og afgifter (SKAT)
• Germany: Generalzolldirektion (GZD)
• United Kingdom: HMRC (for GB EORI)

2. Provide necessary business information. The application typically requires your company name, address, VAT number, and contact information. Most applications are completed in under 15 minutes.

3. Receive your number. Processing time varies by country — typically 1 to 5 business days. In Finland, Tulli often issues the number within 1–2 business days. In Germany and the UK, it is commonly issued the same day for online applications.

If your business operates outside the EU but you plan to import to or export from an EU country, you may still need an EORI number — apply through the customs authority in the first EU country you intend to trade with.

When do I need to use my EORI number?

Your EORI number is required on customs declarations whenever your shipments cross a customs border. In practical terms for a Shopify merchant, this means:

• Every shipment from an EU country to the UK
• Every shipment from an EU country to Norway, Switzerland, or other non-EU countries
• Every shipment from an EU country to the USA, Australia, or any non-EU global destination
• Every inbound stock shipment you import into your EU warehouse from a non-EU supplier

You will not need your EORI number for shipments between EU member states — Finland to Germany, Sweden to Estonia, and so on — because these do not cross a customs border.

The EORI number appears on:

• Export declarations filed with the origin country's customs authority
• CN23 customs declaration forms for postal shipments
• Commercial invoices for international shipments
• Air waybills and freight documents for larger consignments

Import and export to and from the United Kingdom

Since Brexit, customs requirements between the UK and EU have changed significantly. The UK is now considered a third country for EU trade, meaning businesses trading with the UK are subject to full customs formalities — including EORI numbers — on every shipment.

If your business trades between the UK and the EU, you will need an EU EORI number (from your home EU member state) as well as a separate GB EORI number from the UK. Both are required because each customs jurisdiction needs to identify you in its own system.

What is a GB EORI number?

A GB EORI number is the UK-specific version of the EORI number, required for all businesses trading goods with the UK post-Brexit. It is assigned by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and starts with the prefix "GB" followed by your UK VAT number and the suffix "000" — so a business with UK VAT number 123456789 has GB EORI number GB123456789000.

If you are not UK VAT registered, you can still obtain a standalone GB EORI number through HMRC. Registration is free and typically processed within 3 to 5 business days.

Without a GB EORI number, goods shipped to or from the UK will be held at the border, causing delays and additional costs.

When do I need to use my GB EORI number?

Your GB EORI number is required whenever your business interacts with UK customs:

• Exporting goods from the EU to UK customers
• Importing goods into the UK from any non-UK source
• Filing UK import or export declarations
• Working with UK freight forwarders or customs agents who file on your behalf

If you ship to UK customers from an EU warehouse, the GB EORI number is typically needed by your UK-side customs representative or the carrier's UK brokerage — not necessarily by you directly on every shipment, but the number needs to exist and be available.

Common mistakes to avoid

Not registering before you start shipping internationally. EORI registration is free and takes a few days. Waiting until you have an urgent shipment to clear — and discovering at that point that you do not have an EORI number — creates an avoidable delay. Register as soon as you know you will be shipping internationally.

Confusing EU EORI and GB EORI. They are separate numbers from separate customs authorities. An EU EORI (e.g. FI123456789) is not recognized by UK customs, and a GB EORI (GB123456789000) is not recognized by EU customs. Merchants shipping regularly between the EU and UK need both.

Confusing EORI with VAT number. In many EU countries your EORI is derived from your VAT number — but they are not the same thing and are used in different contexts. Your VAT number is for domestic and EU VAT purposes. Your EORI is for customs declarations. Always use the correct identifier on the correct document.

Assuming intra-EU shipments need an EORI. They do not. EORI is for customs declarations, and there are no customs declarations between EU member states. A Finnish merchant shipping to Germany does not need to quote an EORI number. The same merchant shipping to Norway does.

Not including the EORI on customs documentation. Even if you have a valid EORI number, it needs to appear on the relevant documents. Missing EORI numbers on export declarations cause processing delays at the origin customs authority before the shipment even leaves the country.

How to add your EORI number in Packrooster Shipping

Once you have your EORI number, adding it to Packrooster takes less than a minute and means it is applied automatically to every customs declaration generated for your international shipments — no manual entry per order.

Steps:

1. Open Packrooster Shipping in your Shopify admin
2. Go to General Settings
3. Find your shipping locations (these come from your Shopify shipping locations)
4. Press the Edit button next to the relevant shipping location
5. Enter your EORI number in the EORI field
6. Save

Packrooster will automatically include your EORI number on customs documents for shipments from that location that require it — without any additional steps on your part.

Other customs identifiers Packrooster supports

EORI is one of several customs and tax identifiers that international Shopify merchants need to manage. Packrooster supports assignment of all of the following per shipping location:

• EORI — for EU export declarations
• GB EORI — for UK customs
• IOSS — for EU VAT on sub-€150 imports from non-EU merchants
• VOEC — for Norwegian VAT on e-commerce shipments
• HMRC VAT number — for UK VAT obligations
• VAT-ID by destination — for merchants VAT-registered in multiple countries

Each identifier is assigned to the relevant shipping location in Packrooster and applied to the correct shipment type automatically — so the right tax identity appears on every shipment without manual intervention.

Don't have Packrooster Shipping yet? Install it from the Shopify App Store.

Learn more about Packrooster →

Frequently asked questions

Is an EORI number free to obtain? Yes. EORI registration is free in all EU member states and in the UK. There is no application fee, no renewal fee, and no ongoing cost. The only investment is the time to complete the online application — typically 10 to 15 minutes.

How long does it take to get an EORI number? Processing time varies by country. Finland and Germany typically issue within 1–2 business days. The UK (GB EORI via HMRC) is often issued within 3–5 business days, and in many cases the same day for online applications. Most EU countries process within 5 business days. Apply before you need it — do not wait until you have a shipment ready to go.

Can an individual get an EORI number, or is it only for businesses? Both businesses and individuals can obtain an EORI number. Private individuals who regularly import or export commercially — including sole traders who run Shopify stores as individuals rather than limited companies — can and should obtain one. The application process for individuals is similar to businesses but may require personal ID rather than company registration documents.

Does my EORI number expire? EORI numbers do not expire under normal circumstances. They remain valid for as long as the business is active and registered. If your business closes or changes its legal structure, you should notify the issuing customs authority. The number may also be deactivated if the customs authority detects it is no longer in active use.

Do I need a separate EORI number for each EU country I ship from? No. Your EU EORI number is valid across all EU member states — it does not need to be re-registered in each country you ship from. A Finnish EORI number (FI...) can be used on export declarations in Germany, Sweden, or any other EU country. If you have fulfillment locations in multiple EU countries, they all use the same EU EORI number.

What if I ship from outside the EU to EU customers — do I need an EORI? If you are a non-EU merchant shipping goods into the EU, the EORI requirement typically falls on the EU-side importer of record — often your customer, your EU freight forwarder, or your 3PL. As a non-EU exporter, you may not need an EU EORI yourself, but you may need to provide your own country's equivalent export registration number. For UK merchants shipping to the EU specifically, a UK EORI (GB...) is needed for UK export declarations, and the EU import EORI is your customer's or their customs agent's responsibility.