What Is an EORI Number and Why You Need One
An EORI (Economic Operators Registration and Identification) number is a unique ID assigned by HMRC to businesses and individuals moving goods into or out of the UK. It is mandatory: without it, you cannot lodge customs declarations, and your shipment will be held at the port of entry until you obtain one.
UK EORI numbers start with the prefix GB followed by 12 digits (typically your VAT number plus three trailing digits). If you trade with Northern Ireland, you may also need a separate XI prefix EORI.
When You Need an EORI Number
You need one if you are:
- Importing commercial goods from any country into England, Scotland or Wales
- Exporting goods from the UK
- Moving goods between Great Britain and Northern Ireland in some scenarios
- Acting as a customs representative on behalf of others
You do not need an EORI for personal-use shipments below £135 in value, or for purely intra-UK movements.
Before You Apply: What You Will Need
Gather these before starting the application — having them ready takes the process from 30 minutes to 5:
- Business legal name as registered with Companies House (if a limited company) or HMRC (if a sole trader)
- VAT registration number (if VAT-registered — this becomes part of your EORI)
- Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR) — your 10-digit tax number
- Government Gateway User ID and password — set up at gateway.gov.uk if you do not have one
- Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) code for your business
- Date your business started trading
- National Insurance number (sole traders only)
The Application Process
The full process takes most businesses about 30 minutes online and 3 to 5 working days for HMRC to issue the number.
Step 1 — Sign in to the Government Gateway. Use your existing UK business account. If you do not have one, create one at gov.uk/log-in-register-hmrc-online-services.
Step 2 — Start the EORI application. Go to gov.uk/eori and click "Apply for an EORI number". The form is one continuous page — you cannot save and resume, so set aside 30 uninterrupted minutes.
Step 3 — Choose your business structure. Sole trader, limited company, partnership or individual. The form changes based on your selection.
Step 4 — Enter your business details. Legal name, registered address, VAT number, UTR, SIC code and contact details. Double-check spelling: HMRC's system is case-sensitive on some fields and a mismatch with Companies House records will reject the application.
Step 5 — Submit and wait. HMRC acknowledges immediately. The EORI number itself arrives by email or post within 3 to 5 working days. Express service is not available.
Common Mistakes That Delay Applications
The single biggest cause of rejection is a mismatch between the legal name you enter on the EORI form and what Companies House holds. Even a missing "Ltd" or a different punctuation mark will bounce the application back.
Other frequent issues:
- VAT number not yet active — if you registered for VAT in the last few weeks, the system may not have your record yet. Wait 14 days after VAT registration before applying for EORI.
- Wrong SIC code — if your SIC code does not match the goods you are importing (e.g. registering as a hairdresser but importing electronics), HMRC may flag the application.
- Multiple businesses, one application — each legal entity needs its own EORI. You cannot use a holding company's EORI for a subsidiary.
After You Receive Your EORI
Once issued, your EORI number is valid indefinitely and used for every customs declaration you lodge. Add it to:
- Your customs broker's records
- Your commercial invoice templates
- Your shipper instructions for incoming freight
- Your CHIEF/CDS user profile
You should also register for the Customs Declaration Service (CDS) if you plan to file declarations yourself or want visibility of imports made on your behalf.
When to Use a Customs Agent
If the application process feels overwhelming, or you need the number urgently for a shipment already on its way, a customs agent (like us) can prepare and submit the EORI application on your behalf, monitor it with HMRC and chase any rejections. For first-time importers this is often the difference between a 5-day application and a 2-week saga.
Contact us at customs@pcsl.uk.com or +44 1480 470 114 if you need help getting your EORI sorted before your goods arrive.