September 4, 2025
Making Tax Digital is looming! Sole traders and freelancers need to stay compliant, organised and maintain professionalism. Find out how MTD will affect you.
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An EORI number, or Economic Operators’ Registration & Identification number, is a unique code that appears after your registered VAT number. EORI numbers are used at a governmental level to monitor and track customs information when goods are being moved to and from the UK.
If you're a business moving goods in and out of the UK, you’ll need an EORI number.
Without an EORI number, your goods will not clear customs. Instead, they will be held at the port or airport. You won’t be able to access these goods, and worse yet, you’ll have to pay extortionate fees for their storage (demurrage). Put simply, without an EORI number you can expect to spend a lot of time and money for no gain.
The process of getting an EORI number is completed online, however, there are different forms depending on your situation. All applications must be completed by parent companies where applicable.
As the application is completed online, you’ll receive confirmation of your EORI number via email, to the address used during your application. This process will take up to 3 working days, and you should monitor your spam folder just to be sure.
Give the number to your courier or freight forwarder. They’ll use it when making customs declarations on your behalf.
To check or confirm your EORI number, add “GB” before your UK VAT code and insert “000” at the end of the sequence. (i.e. GB123456789000). When you have this information, input it into this EORI checker.
It’s crucial that you contact the EORI team at HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) in any of the following circumstances:
Making Tax Digital is looming! Sole traders and freelancers need to stay compliant, organised and maintain professionalism. Find out how MTD will affect you.
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