EORI - Economic Operators Registration and Identification

The EORI system is established in order to implement the security measures introduced by Regulation (EEC) No 2913/92, as amended by Regulation (EC) No 648/2005 of the European Parliament and of the Council. They will be more effective if the persons concerned can be identified by a common number that is unique to each individual and valid throughout the Community. Traders have consistently been calling for this ever since mandatory identification codes for traders were introduced by Regulation 2286/2003.

An EORI number means a number, unique throughout the European Community, assigned by a
customs authority or designated authority or authorities in a Member State to economic operators
and other persons in accordance with the rules laid down in Part I, Title I, Chapter 6 of the
CCIP. The provisions on the EORI number neither limit nor undermine the rights and obligations
derived from rules governing the requirement to register for, and obtain, any identification number
which may be required in individual Member States in fields other than customs, such as taxation or
statistics.

By registering, for customs purposes, in one Member State operators are able to obtain an EORI
number that is valid throughout the Community. Obviously, in order to benefit fully from this
reform, holders must use the EORI number – once it has been assigned – in all communications
with any EC customs authorities where a customs identifier is required.

Customs authorities in the EC must have easy and reliable access to operators’ registration and
identification data. In order to ensure this, a central electronic system will be developed for storing
data on the registration of economic operators and other persons and for exchanging data on EORI
numbers between customs authorities. This central system will hold data listed in Annex 38d that
are currently stored in each national system in the Member States.

The Member States should take measures to reduce the burdens placed on economic operators as a
result of introduction of the EORI system.

Costs relating to implementation of the EORI system will be shared between the Community and
the Member States in accordance with paragraphs 2 and 3 of Article 10 of the Decision on a
paperless environment for customs and trade.

The EORI Guidelines will need to be further explained and illustrated with examples of best
practice after the EORI legislation enters into force. Without practical experience and in view of the
highly specific situations arising, it is difficult to provide more guidance at this stage.