EORI number explained: What you need to know by 2026
The EORI number is the EU-wide registration and identification number for economic operators and has been mandatory for all customs clearance within the European Union since July 1, 2009. It has completely replaced the former German customs number and is valid in all 27 member states. Every company that imports or exports goods must provide it in customs declarations. Customs transactions within the EU are generally not possible without a valid EORI number.
The most important features at a glance:
- Construction: Two-digit country code (ISO 3166) followed by a number unique within the member state, in Germany therefore "DE" plus up to 15 digits
- Validity: Valid throughout the EUA company receives exactly one single number.
- Duty: This applies to all economic operators engaged in customs-related activities; private individuals with fewer than ten customs declarations per year are exempt.
- Cost: Free, no fees
- Valid indefinitely: The number does not expire and does not need to be renewed.
How is the EORI number used in the customs process?
The EORI number is mandatory for almost every customs declaration. It facilitates automated customs clearance in the German ATLAS system and prevents delays in goods processing.
Specifically, it is specified for:
- Customs declarations: Applicants, importers, consignors, exporters and holders of transit procedures
- Summary entry and exit registrations: Carrier, declarant, consignee and consignor
- Applications for temporary custody: Provider, custodian and person authorized to dispose of
- Genehmigungsverfaren: At the Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control (BAFA) and the Federal Office for Agriculture and Food (BLE)
If the number is missing from a customs declaration, delays or the return of the goods are likely. Anyone wishing to act as a carrier or declarant with German customs cannot avoid EORI registration. The validity of another party's EORI number can be checked at any time in the official EU validation database Check. Name, full address and validity status will be displayed there.
How do you apply for an EORI number in Germany?
The application is free of charge and is submitted to the General Directorate of Customs, Dresden office, Master Data Management. The quickest way is via the customs portal at www.zoll-portal.de.
This is how the process works:
- Registration in the customs portal: One-time registration at www.zoll-portal.de, then access the service “EORI No. Administration”.
- Make an application: Please fill in the required fields and attach your business registration or proof from the tax office.
- Status tracking: After inspection by customs, an automatic confirmation will be sent to your electronic mailbox and via email.
- Transitional arrangement: Form 0870a is still valid until September 30, 2026, and can be submitted by email, post or fax.
- From October 1, 2026: Use of the customs portal will become mandatory; paper forms may then only be used as a last resort.
- Application by representative: An authorized representative, such as a law firm, can also submit the application.
Pro tip: Applying via the customs portal is completely free of charge. Third-party providers offering EORI registrations for a fee are not necessary. The General Directorate of Customs in Dresden explicitly warns against such offers.
What is the difference between the EORI number, VAT ID, and tax number?
Many business owners confuse these numbers because they sound similar. However, the difference is fundamental.
- EORI number: It serves solely for identification purposes in customs procedures, is issued by the customs authority and is valid throughout the EU.
- VAT identification number (VAT ID No.): Tax identification number for intra-Community trade, issued by the Federal Central Tax Office
- VAT no: National identification number of the tax office for tax purposes, has no relation to customs procedures.
The EORI number is not the same as the VAT ID number. Both numbers have different legal bases and areas of application. Anyone exporting goods to or importing them from third countries absolutely needs an EORI number. The VAT ID number alone is not sufficient for customs declarations. The EORI number is also required to provide proof of import VAT assessed in the ATLAS procedure to the tax office.
How can customs clearance be automated with EORI integration?
Integrating the EORI number into a digital shipping platform saves considerable manual effort. Paket-international connects the EORI registration directly with the automated customs clearance, so that shipping costs and customs duties are calculated in real time.
The advantages at a glance:
- Automatic document creation: Customs declarations, export accompanying documents and commercial documents are generated without manual intervention.
- Real-time shipment tracking: All shipments are managed centrally via a dashboard; status changes are immediately visible.
- Error reduction: Automated verification of the EORI number before transmission prevents rejections by customs.
- Cost savings: Paket-international states that shipping costs can be significantly reduced through the platform.
- System integration: Integration with ERP systems and online shops via API and plugins enables a continuous data flow without media breaks
For online retailers, the combination of mandatory EORI registration and an automated platform is particularly relevant. Those who regularly ship to third countries benefit from the fact that the EORI number is registered only once and automatically included in the customs declaration for every shipment. Further information on platform integration can be found at [link to platform integration information]. International parcel service for online retailersThe guide to the Importer of Record offers further insights into the role of the importer in international trade.
Key findings regarding the EORI number
The EORI number has been a mandatory requirement for customs clearance across the EU since 2009 and can be applied for free of charge in Germany at the General Customs Directorate in Dresden.
| Theme | Details |
|---|---|
| Duty and scope | Every economic operator with customs activities in the EU needs exactly one EORI number. |
| Application in Germany | Free of charge via the customs portal (www.zoll-portal.de) at the General Customs Directorate Dresden. |
| Transitional period form | Form 0870a is still valid until 30 September 2026; from 1 October 2026 the customs portal will be mandatory. |
| Distinction from VAT ID number. | EORI is only valid for customs procedures; the VAT ID has different legal bases and issuing bodies. |
| Automation advantage | Digital platforms like Paket-international integrate the EORI number and significantly reduce shipping costs. |