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 Great Britain, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man
- will import or export goods with the EU from 11pmâ¯GMT on 29 March 2019
It could take 3 days to get a UK issued EORI number, so you should apply now.
Having an EORIâ¯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 (we will write to you again with information about the arrangements for trading with Ireland as soon as we can)
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:
- VAT-registered
- not VAT-registered and you’re an importer - including if you import and export
- not VAT-registered and you only export
After you’ve applied
You’ll get yourâ¯EORIâ¯number by email, usually within 3 working days. If you’ve not received the email you should check your spam folder.
It can take longer than 3 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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