If you've been researching post-Brexit EU shipping, you've probably come across the term EORI number. It appears in carrier booking systems, customs guidance, and shipping checklists — usually without much explanation of what it actually is or whether you specifically need one.
Here's the plain English answer.
What is an EORI number?
EORI stands for Economic Operators Registration and Identification. It's a unique reference number that identifies your business to customs authorities when you're moving goods across international borders.
Think of it as a customs ID for your business. When you submit a customs declaration for a UK-to-EU shipment, your EORI number tells customs who is sending the goods.
Do I need one?
If you're shipping goods commercially from the UK to the EU, yes — you need a UK EORI number.
"Commercially" is the key word. If you're sending a personal gift to a friend in France, you don't need one. If you're running a business and selling products to EU customers, you do.
In practice, most couriers will require an EORI number when you book a commercial shipment to an EU country. Without one, your booking may be rejected or your parcel may be held at customs.
How do I get one?
A UK EORI number starts with "GB" followed by 12 digits. You apply for one through HMRC — it's free, takes about 10 minutes to apply online, and is usually issued within 3–5 working days (sometimes faster).
Go to gov.uk and search "Get an EORI number." You'll need your Government Gateway login and your business details including your UTR (Unique Taxpayer Reference) if you're self-employed or your company registration number if you're a limited company.
If you're VAT registered, your EORI number is usually based on your VAT number — HMRC may have already issued you one automatically.
Where do I use it?
Once you have your EORI number, you enter it when booking EU shipments through your carrier's system. It goes on your commercial invoice and customs declaration. You don't need to do anything complicated with it — it's simply a reference number that identifies your business in the customs system.
What about an EU EORI number?
A UK EORI number covers your UK exports. If you're importing goods into the EU as a business — rather than your EU customers importing your goods — you may need an EU EORI number too. But for most UK small businesses selling to EU consumers, a UK EORI number is all you need.
Do sole traders need one?
Yes. EORI numbers aren't just for limited companies. If you're a sole trader selling products to EU customers — whether through Etsy, your own website, or any other channel — you need a UK EORI number for commercial shipments.
The bottom line
Getting an EORI number is one of those post-Brexit admin tasks that sounds complicated but takes about 10 minutes. If you're regularly shipping to EU customers and don't have one yet, apply today. It's free, it's quick, and carriers increasingly require it.
Once you have your EORI sorted, the next step is making sure you know what your EU customers will actually pay when your parcels arrive. ClearShip calculates the full landed cost — duty, VAT, and all — for any UK-to-EU shipment in seconds.