Direct EORI request

EORI stands for Economic Operators Registration and Identification. It is the identifier used in dealings with customs authorities. In the European Union, it consistently identifies an operator during import, export, or transit procedures. The [European Commission](https://taxation-customs.ec.europa.eu/customs/customs-procedures-import-and-export/customs-operations/economic-operators-registration-and-identification-number-eori_en) explains its role and the allocation principles that apply in the EU.

Not necessarily. The requirement depends on who completes the customs formalities, the contractual role of each party, and the customs territory involved. If a marketplace or another operator genuinely imports in its own name, the seller does not automatically use its own EORI; however, a declaration lodged in the seller’s name may require the seller to be identified.

A business established in the EU normally applies in the Member State where it is established. A business not established in the EU generally applies in the Member State where it first carries out a customs operation requiring an EORI. The actual supply chain should therefore be checked before selecting a country, rather than simply choosing the customer’s country of delivery.

Yes. A valid EU EORI serves as the customs identifier throughout the Union. The same person should not hold several valid EU EORI numbers at the same time. This does not remove other formalities that may depend on the country, customs procedure, or type of goods.

No. Since the United Kingdom left the European Union, the territories have been separate: an EU EORI does not replace an EORI beginning with GB, and vice versa. Situations involving Northern Ireland may also require an XI identifier; the official criteria are explained by the [UK Government](https://www.gov.uk/eori).

An EORI identifies an operator to customs authorities. A VAT number concerns tax identification for certain transactions, while IOSS is a special scheme for certain distance sales of low-value imported goods. These arrangements may apply to the same supply chain, but none of these identifiers replaces the others.

The list depends on the country of registration and where the business is established. The applicant must generally be able to demonstrate the company’s legal existence, the identity of the applicant, and, for a non-established business, the customs operation that justifies the application. In France, the procedure and supporting evidence are described by [French Customs](https://www.douane.gouv.fr/fiche/le-numero-eori-economic-operator-registration-and-identification).

The processing time depends on the authority, the quality of the information submitted, and any checks that are required. An incomplete file or a discrepancy between company registers and the application can delay the process. The application should be started before the first customs operation, without promising a date that only the administration can confirm.

An EU EORI can be checked using the validation tool referenced by the European Commission. For a GB number, use the [UK validation service](https://www.gov.uk/check-eori-number). If no result appears, check the territory, the number entered, and the actual registration status before concluding that the identifier is invalid.

The customs authority does not charge for allocating the number. A private provider may, however, charge for assessing the situation, preparing and checking evidence, submitting the application, or monitoring its progress. The paid service must therefore be presented as operational assistance, never as the price of the number or a guarantee that it will be issued.