The UK has now formally withdrawn from the EU and has until 31 December 2020 to agree new trade arrangements.
At present, it is not possible for businesses to move goods into or out of the EU single market without an Economic Operator Registration and Identification (EORI) number.
This means that if a UK business wishes to trade with the EU after this date, it will need an EORI, which is a unique customs ID.
It will begin with different letters, depending on which country issued it followed by 12 digits. It will also include the business’s VAT registration number if they are registered for VAT.
If your business deals solely with import or export declarations in the UK, with a customer/client completing the corresponding declaration on the EU side of the border, then you will only require a UK EORI number.
However, if your business is responsible for completing the export declaration as goods leave the UK, as well as the import declaration when the goods enter the EU, you will need both a UK and an EU EORI number.
You may find that this is also the case where you are named as the importer on the EU record, and the exporter on the UK record.
It may also apply where you as the ‘buyer’ or ‘seller’ is contractually obliged to complete both the export and import declarations.
Businesses that are not VAT-registered, have a subsidiary company that also trades goods with the EU, are new, or have commenced trading with the EU since the start of 2018 or already have an EORI number from the EU need to apply online for an EORI number issued by the UK.
Online applications can be completed on the gov.uk website. You will typically receive your EORI number either straight away, or within five working days if HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) need to undertake further checks.
LINK: Get an EORI number
