Brexit: Get A UK EORI Number To Trade Within The EU

UK businesses trading with the EU will need a UK EORI number to continue trading if the UK leaves the EU with no deal

If the UK leaves the EU with no deal many UK businesses will need to apply the same processes to EU trade that apply when trading with the rest of the world.

Who needs an EORI number

You’ll need to have a UK issued Economic Operator Registration and Identification (EORI) number if you:

  • are a business established in the UK, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man
  • will import or export goods with the EU from 23:00 GMT on 29 March 2019

It could take three days to get a UK issued EORI number, so you should apply now.

Having an EORI number allows you to:

  • trade goods into or out of the UK
  • submit declarations using software (or to give to your agent to make these declarations on your behalf)
  • apply to be authorised for customs simplifications and procedures

Who does not need an EORI number

You do not need an EORI number if you’ll only import or export:

  • services that do not involve moving physical goods
  • goods with Ireland across the Northern Ireland–Ireland land border (businesses will receive information about the arrangements for trading with Ireland in due course)

Before you apply

If you’re VAT-registered

You’ll need your VAT registration number and the name under which your business is registered for VAT.

If you’re not VAT-registered

You’ll need the following:

  • an address in the United Kingdom
  • an email address
  • your date of birth
  • your National Insurance number

If your businesses is a partnership

You’ll need the following information for each individual partner:

  • date of birth
  • your National Insurance number

If your business is registered as a company

You’ll need the following:

  • Company Registration Number
  • company incorporation date (the date your company came into being)
  • country of incorporation, for example, the United Kingdom

If you’re a registered charity

You’ll need the following:

  • your registered charity number
  • country of registration (for example, the United Kingdom)

If your business has a parent or holding company

Your parent or holding company must apply for you.

How to apply

There are different ways to apply depending on whether you’re:

After you’ve applied

You’ll get your EORI number by email, usually within three working days. If you’ve not received the email you should check your spam folder.

It can take longer than three days if there are high volumes so please do not contact HMRC during this time. If HMRC has any query, HMRC will contact you.

When you receive your EORI number, please always use it when contacting HMRC about customs.

Contact the EORI team at HMRC to get help.

Further information

HMRC wants to make sure that traders have access to the right authorisations ahead of 29 March so that trade can keep flowing.

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