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What is an EORI number?

Updated: 1 November 2026 · Klik&Shop

Importing or exporting goods outside the EU? Then you need an EORI number: the number customs uses to identify your business.

EORI in short

EORI stands for Economic Operators Registration and Identification. Every business that deals with customs in the EU, for example in an import or export declaration, needs an EORI number. Even if a forwarder or carrier files the declaration for you, your EORI number is on it.

You only need one EORI number. You get it in the EU country where your business is established, and it is valid throughout the EU. Branches use the number of the head office.

What does an EORI number look like?

An EORI number starts with the code of the issuing country, followed by up to 15 letters or digits. The structure differs per country:

• Netherlands: NL + the 9-digit RSIN. Shorter RSINs are padded with leading zeros (RSIN 1234567 becomes NL001234567).
• Other EU countries: often derived from the VAT number or a national company number, prefixed with the country code. Greece uses GR (not EL as for VAT numbers).
• United Kingdom: GB + 12 digits (often the UK VAT number + 000). Northern Ireland also has XI numbers.

Who needs an EORI number?

• Businesses that import goods from outside the EU or export to non-EU countries, such as the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Norway or the US.
• Businesses applying for a customs authorisation.
• Sole traders too: in the Netherlands, a sole proprietorship always applies to Dutch Customs.

Only selling within the EU? Then you usually don't need an EORI number, because there are no customs declarations for goods moving within the EU.

Checking an EORI number

You can check whether an EORI number is valid in the European Commission's EORI database (EOS). Name and address are only shown if the business has consented. Our free EORI check does this instantly; for software there is the API.

FAQ

Is an EORI number the same as a VAT number?

No. The EORI number is for customs, the VAT number for VAT. In the Netherlands the EORI number is based on the RSIN. See EORI vs VAT number in the guides.

Does an EORI number cost money?

No. In the Netherlands you apply for an EORI number free of charge at Dutch Customs.

Does an EORI number expire?

An EORI number stays valid as long as your business exists and it has not been revoked. If your legal form changes, for example from sole trader to private limited company, you need a new number.

Read next

• Applying for and checking an EORI number
• EORI number vs VAT number: the difference
• EORI for online shops shipping to the UK or Switzerland