EORI number

Every company or sole trader based in the European Union who is engaging in import and export activities with countries outside the European Union is obliged to register for an EORI number (Economic Operators Registration and Identification number). The EORI number is a unique identification number, which is valid throughout the European Union, assigned by a Customs Authority in a Member State to a company or a sole trader.  Once the EORI number is obtained this number will have to be used in all communication with any EU Customs Authority.

The application to obtain an EORI number must to be submitted to the Customs Office in Brussels (Enig Kantoor der Douane en Accijnzen or Bureau Unique des Douanes et Accises). Depending on the specific situation of the economic operator applying, the correct application form needs to be filled in. 

The different blank application forms are available on the website of the  Customs Office. On this website you can verify whether or not a specific EORI number was already validated. For further questions on this matter you can contact the EORI department of the Customs Office.