Using EORI numbers when moving goods to and from Northern Ireland

Find out about EORI numbers when using the Trader Support Service for movements to and from Northern Ireland.

Contents

What is an EORI number

An EORI number is a unique number that customs authorities use to:

identify the business involved in importing or exporting goods
link customs declarations to the correct party
allow customs authorities to process and track movements of goods
support checks on export and import licences

As an importer or exporter, you must have an EORI number to import or export your goods respectively.

Find more about EORI numbers (opens in a new tab) and how to apply for a GB and an XI EORI number (opens in a new tab).

Types of EORI numbers

There are different formats of EORI numbers based on where a business is registered and the type of trade it carries out.

For example, if you are trading:

to or from Great Britain - EORI number starting with GB
to or from Northern Ireland - EORI number starting with XI

Get an EORI number that starts with GB (opens in a new tab).

Get an EORI number that starts with XI (opens in a new tab).

Using an EORI number in the Trader Support Service

Every declaration submitted in the Trader Support Service is linked to an EORI number.

This includes:

entry summary declarations (ENS)
import declarations (for example standard, simplified or supplementary declarations)
Internal Market Movement Information
export declarations

Which EORI number you will need

Identify the EORI number you will need based on the type of declaration and your role in the supply chain.

Table showing what EORI number traders, hauliers and agents will need, depending on the type of declaration they are using.
Type of declaration	Trader(seller/exporter, buyer/importer)	Transporter(carrier, haulier)	Intermediary(agent, freight forwarder)
Entry summary declarations (ENS) - usually submitted by the transporter or intermediary	Not required	XI	XI(if lodging ENS on behalf of the carrier)
Customs declarations (for example simplified declaration or supplementary declarations)	GB, XI	XI(if completing on behalf of the trader as part of the combined journey)	GB, XI(if acting on behalf of the trader)
Internal Market Movement Information	GB or XI	XI(if completing on behalf of the trader as part of the combined journey)	GB, XI(if acting on behalf of the trader)
Export declarations	XI	Not required	XI(if acting on behalf of the trader)

Updating your Trader Support Service company profile

When you register with the Trader Support Service, you must add your EORI number to your company profile. The service uses your EORI number to automatically populate information required for declarations submitted through the Trader Support Service.

You need to ensure your EORI number is entered in the correct format and contains all required characters and digits to avoid delays or issues with your declarations.

If you hold more than one type of EORI number, use the one that matches the authorisation, licence or customs special procedure you want to use.

For example, if you have a UK Internal Market Scheme (UKIMS) authorisation, make sure the EORI number on your profile matches the one shown on your authorisation letter. This will avoid declaration rejections.

This applies to all authorisations you hold and want to use on the service.

Why you must use the correct EORI number

The EORI number identifies the trader involved in the customs processes.

Using the wrong EORI number means that another trader might be asked to:

pay customs duty
pay import VAT
comply with customs requirements

In addition, if you use the wrong EORI number:

the movement of your goods will be delayed
you’ll submit your declaration under the wrong trader
your notifications and draft supplementary declarations will be sent to the wrong trader
you will not get the benefit of any authorisations or customs special procedure you want to use

You must only use your own EORI number, or an EORI number belonging to a trader who has authorised you to act on their behalf. Do not use an EORI number unless you are entitled to use it. If you do not know which EORI number to use on an ENS or customs declaration, you must speak to your supply chain to get it.

Checking EORI numbers

To make sure an EORI number is valid you can:

Some businesses choose to opt out of public disclosure of their name and address. In this case, the check tools still verify the EORI number's existence and validity.

Their business name and address will be hidden in the search results.

If the search results indicate the EORI number is not valid, you need to get in contact with your supply chain to get the correct EORI number.

Invalid EORI numbers

There are situations where an EORI number may be invalid:

the EORI number does not exists or is no longer active in the HMRC or EU systems
the records held on the HMRC or EU systems are not matching the EORI number submitted through the Trader Support Service - this will generate a rejection error

If your EORI number is marked as invalid, either when using an online checker or if you receive a rejection error from the Trader Support Service, there are steps you should take.

For your own business

Check why the EORI is invalid. This could be due to:

a typo
an incorrect country prefix
a system delay

Make sure you tell HMRC about any changes to your business, such as changes to your legal structure or business address, or if you join a VAT group (where you need to use the group’s VAT and EORI number). These changes may affect how your EORI number is recognised by the Customs Declaration Service (CDS).

HMRC may need to update your business details or issue a new EORI number where required. This will prevent system errors.

Find out how to report a change or cancel an EORI number (opens in a new tab).

HMRC may contact you if your EORI number has been invalidated. If you believe this was an error, contact HMRC through the EORI number application and contact form (opens in a new tab) or contact HMRC.

For a trading partner

If you are a freight forwarder, haulier or supplier and your customer’s EORI number gives an error in the system when you try to ship goods, you must ask your customer to contact their national customs authority to confirm their EORI status and provide proof of validation.

For entry summary declarations, if you have entered an EORI number for the consignee or consignor and their EORI is invalid or has been removed, you can enter their full name and address instead. This allows the cargo to keep moving while they fix their registration. Do not guess or use an invalid EORI number, as this will cause an automatic rejection.