EORI Number: EU and UK Registration for Food Importers

EORI means Economic Operators Registration and Identification. The European Commission’s EORI guidance describes the EU system: one valid number identifies an operator across the EU customs territory. It starts with the issuing country’s two-letter code and an identifier.

GB and XI numbers belong to the UK arrangements. Use GOV.UK’s number-selection guidance to check the territory and activity. An EORI is customs identification; it is not food-product approval or a replacement for VAT registration.

Check the business’s role and the operation it will carry out:

• An EU-established business undertaking customs activity normally applies through its home member state.
• A business established outside the EU should check the EU authority for its first customs operation and the applicable registration conditions.
• For imports into Great Britain, establish which business needs a GB EORI under the UK guidance.
• For Northern Ireland, check the specific XI arrangements and whether an existing EU EORI is relevant.

A Vietnamese seller shipping to a European buyer is not automatically the importing business. Before the purchase, ask the broker which entity is to appear in each role and what identification it needs.

An accurate customs identity helps the importing team connect the declaration to the correct business. Put the confirmed legal name, registration details and EORI in the shipment brief, then check that the representative uses the intended entity.

• Importer: the business taking the agreed importing role.
• Representative: the agent appointed for the specified customs tasks.
• Supporting documents: invoices and shipment information describing the same transaction.
• Tax treatment: the VAT arrangements reviewed separately for that business and shipment.

Clear role information is more useful than adding an unidentified EORI to every document.

For EU customs activity, use the national registration route described in the Commission’s EORI guidance. Prepare the legal entity and address information that the national authority requests. Check whether the business already has a valid EU number before applying again.

For UK customs activity, follow the GOV.UK registration guide and select the number for the intended activity. If the business is not established in the UK, review the eligibility and representation requirements rather than assuming the same application route applies.

Allow time to obtain confirmation before dispatch. Use the authority’s current instructions and verify the issued details; do not rely on an advertised universal processing time.

If the required registration is missing or the number does not match the business, resolve it with the relevant customs authority and representative before sending the shipment. Ask whether the declaration can be prepared, what registration evidence is outstanding and whether an appointment or authorisation is needed.

Keep the freight booking and supplier release date aligned with that decision. For a trial order or sample, check the actual commercial procedure instead of assuming that a small quantity removes the need for identification.

For a food importer, EORI is one part of the shipment file. Product composition, processing, origin and destination determine the separate food-import checks. Request the formulation, retail label, lot information and available supply documents from the supplier, then review any product-specific certificates or notifications with the importing team.

For Great Britain, use our customs-clearance checklist alongside the official requirements. For shipment paperwork, the import-declaration guide explains how to keep the product and transaction information consistent.

Do I need a different EORI for every EU country?
The EU system uses one valid EORI for the operator across its customs territory. Check the issuing authority and avoid duplicate applications.

Is a GB EORI the same as an EU EORI?
No. Check the required number for the EU, Great Britain or Northern Ireland operation rather than treating the systems as interchangeable.

Can a forwarder use its number instead?
The representative’s identification and the importing business’s identification serve the agreed roles. Obtain written confirmation of the representation arrangement; do not substitute numbers casually.

How do I check a number?
Use the relevant authority’s official validation service. A result establishes registration status, not approval of the food or the shipment.

Keep the customs identity current and accessible to the people preparing the shipment:

• Confirm the number and legal entity before the first order.
• Use the issuing authority’s process to update changed business details.
• Provide the broker with the intended importer, declarant and representative roles.
• Keep registration confirmation and written instructions with the shipment records.

Recheck the arrangement if the importing company, territory or delivery model changes.

Complete the registration and role check before the order is released. Your supplier should know which importing business needs the product and shipment information, while the importing team confirms the customs and food requirements.

For MR.VIET products, discuss the destination, proposed products and available supply documents with the wholesale team. Bring that information to your broker when planning the declaration.