UK • New Rules • New Perspectives

You need an Economic Operators Registration and Identification number (EORI number) if you move goods:

• between Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) or the Isle of Man and any other country (including the EU)

• between Great Britain and Northern Ireland

• between Great Britain and the Channel Islands

• between Northern Ireland and countries outside the EU

You’ll need your EORI number if you:

• appoint someone to deal with customs for you

• make customs declarations

• use customs systems, such as the Customs Handling of Import and Export Freight (CHIEF) system and the Import Control System Northern Ireland (ICS NI)

• apply for a customs decision

This guide is also available in Welsh (Cymraeg).

Which type of EORI number you need and where you get it from depends on where you’re moving goods to and from. You may need more than one.

If you do not have the right EORI number, you may have delays at customs and increased costs, for example your goods may have to be stored until you get an EORI.

If you’re based in the Channel Islands and you move goods to or from the UK, you do not need an EORI number. You’ll need an EORI number if you use HMRC’s customs systems like CHIEF.

Check which EORI number you need

If you’re based in the UK you must get an EORI number that starts with GB. If you already have an EORI number and it does not start with GB, you must apply for a GB EORI number.

You may also need an EORI number starting with XI if you move goods to or from Northern Ireland.

If your business will be making certain declarations or getting a customs decision in the EU you may need an EORI number from an EU country. Contact the customs authority in an EU country to get an EU EORI number. You do not need an EORI number from an EU country if you already have an XI EORI number.