The most likely reason you ended up on this article is that you heard about the EORI number and wanted to gain more information on it. At first glance, the term EORI might seem a bit confusing and may look like a proper word to some. However, this is not the case.
EORI is an abbreviation for Economic Operators Registration and Identification and is an essential aspect of customs clearance in the European Union. Want to know more about the EORI and when you might need one? This article has you covered.
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Part 1. What is an EORI Number?
The EORI number, which is the full form of this term, is the Economic Operators Registration and Identification. It is a mandatory number required for customs clearance within the customs territory of the European Union, which handles all types of customs operations like import, export, and transit.
The EORI is a number that uniquely identifies the economic operators and other associated people. An individual can only be assigned a valid EORI at a point in time and must communicate that number to the customs authorities in the Member States for customs operations.
With a single standard identification number in the EU economic operation and the customs authorities, it becomes easier and far more efficient to let the product pass through customs clearance, security purposes, and other statistical aspects.
Part 2. Who Needs an EORI Number?
Now that you know what an EORI number is, we are sure that the question ‘Who needs an EORI number?’ might have crossed your head at least once. If that is the case, let us answer it for you as well. Multiple people might need an EORI . However, a few essential individuals who will need it are:
- An economic operator established in the customs territory of the European Union would need an EORI .
- Any economic operator not established within the customs territory of the European Union can also register for customs activities like custom declarations for temporary storage, ENS and EXS declarations, and declarations of temporary storage may also need the EORI .
- People other than economic operators must also register for the EORI if it is a requirement issued by the national legislation of the Member State or other legal Union provisions in case they engage in activities for which the EORI is needed.
Part 3. Format of EORI Number
The EORI format consists of two main parts which are:
- The country code of the issuing Member State is of 2 letters.
- An identifier that is unique in the Member State and is usually up to 15 alphanumeric digits and characters.
One should remember that the EORI number does not expire because it is allocated permanently to economic operators and other people. However, there can be certain times when this particular number becomes invalidated upon the request of the Member State in case a business ceases its activities and operations. When invalidated, the number and the recorded EORI data are kept for a guard delay for the next ten years.
Part 4. Where Can You Apply for an EORI Number?
The EORI number can be applied through any customs authority. However, you should know that only one customs authority can assign an EORI to an economic operator or another person. Here is where you can request an EORI number:
- The economic operator that holds an establishment within the customs territory of the European Union can register all the Member State’s national customs authorities in which they are established.
- Economic operators who do not have an establishment within the customs territory can still register for an EORI in the Member State through which they intend to carry out their first customs operations.
- Lastly, third-country economic operators that have multiple permanent business establishments in the customs territory of the European Union can also choose to relocate to any of the Member States where they have an establishment.
The EORI number is applied online and is cost-free. Once an individual has applied for the EORI and the application gets processed and approved, they will be notified through an email that includes the EORI along with all other relevant information. To ensure that you do not foresee any delays, you must submit our paperwork for the EORI a few days well in advance, as it might take a few days to get processed and completed. Once received, the EORI will remain valid for your business.
FAQs
Where do you put an EORI number?
The EORI number is required to be visible on the Commercial Invoice and Packing List documentation. Hence, when shipping packages for your business, ensure that you mention your EORI in a visible format so that the customs clearance can quickly clear and pass it through.
Who provides EORI?
The EORI is provided by only one customs authority competent for assigning an EORI to another person. The economic operators that have an establishment in the customs territory of the union can register the national customs authority of the Member State in which they are established.
Do I need an EORI to ship from the USA to Germany?
Businesses and traders from outside Europe can ship to any European country without needing their EORI . However, they must still provide the recipient’s or importer’s EORI on the commercial invoice.
Conclusion
If you want to gain information, then we hope this article was helpful to you. While having an EORI is essential for your business across Europe, there is another aspect that you should consider. What is it? Well, the right shipping carrier with the best prices. If you are also searching for an excellent delivery service, hear us out.
There is no better option in this regard than NextSmartShip. Global Fulfillment uses the best technology and has the most passionate team to make e-commerce fulfillment easy. The company will handle everything for you, from packaging to shipment, so that you can focus on the other aspects of your business. Hence, visit the website today.
