Get a UK EORI number to trade within the EU

Your UK business may need an EORI number if the UK leaves the EU with no deal. You do not need a new EORI number if you already have one that starts with GB.

Published 4 December 2018
Last updated 11 March 2019 — see all updates

From:: HM Revenue & Customs

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.

An Economic Operator Registration and Identification (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 to apply for an EORI number if you:

are trading with countries outside of the EU and already have an EORInumber (it will start with GB)
will only import or export goods with Ireland across the Northern Ireland and Ireland border (HMRC will provide further guidance about the arrangements for trading with Ireland as soon as we can)
will only import or export services that do not involve moving physical goods

Who needs an EORI number

You’ll need to get a UK EORI number if you’re going to import or export goods with the EU from 11pm GMT on 29 March 2019 (may also apply to new exit date on 31 December 2020), and either:

you’re a sole trader who is resident in the UK
your company or partnership has a registered office in the UK
your company or partnership has a permanent place of business in the UK where they carry out their business activities

If you’re unsure contact the EORI team.

It could take 3 days to get a EORI number, so you should apply now.

If your EORI number does not start with GB

You can continue to use it to import and export goods with the EU after the UK leaves the EU for a temporary period.

HMRC will provide further guidance shortly after the UK leaves the EU to tell you when you’ll need to apply for UK EORI number.

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 UK
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
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 UK

If you’re a registered charity

You’ll need the following:

your registered charity number
country of registration (for example, the UK)

If your business has a parent or holding company

Your parent or holding company must apply for you.

How to apply

You may need the Government Gateway user ID and password for either:

your organisation, if you’re applying for your company or partnership
you, if you’re applying as an individual or a sole trader

If you do not have a user ID, you can create one when you start.

Start now

Check the status of an application you have already made.

After you’ve applied

You may get the number immediately, but it could take up to 3 working days if HMRC needs to make more checks.

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.