EORI number check online
Is the EORI number of your company, your export agent or a partner valid? Get the answer in seconds from the official European Commission database (for British GB numbers, from HMRC). You can also find a number by company name and country. Without a valid EORI no EX1 export declaration can be lodged, and the goods cannot leave the EU under that name.
EORI formats in EU countries
| Country | Format | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Germany | DE + customs number (up to 15 digits) | DE1234567890123 |
| Netherlands | NL + tax number (9 digits) | NL123456789 |
| Poland | PL + NIP (10 digits) + 00000 | PL123456789000000 |
| Italy | IT + partita IVA (11 digits) | IT12345678901 |
| France | FR + SIRET (14 digits) | FR12345678900012 |
The examples only illustrate the format. An EORI is issued by the customs authority of the country where the company is established; one company has one EORI valid across the whole EU. Russian importers do not receive an EORI: the EX1 export declaration in the EU is lodged by the exporter or its representative.
If you cannot lodge the export declaration yourself
A common situation: a smaller supplier has no EORI or would rather not deal with export declarations. In that case our agent in the EU lodges the EX1 on behalf of the consignor — €150 together with transport through our Rotterdam warehouse, or from €450 remotely.
You receive the MRN and proof of exit, which you need to zero-rate VAT on the export sale, and your customer in Russia gets a properly documented export. Before accepting a shipment we screen the HS codes and all parties against EU, UK, Swiss and US sanctions lists.
Frequently asked questions
Can I find an EORI number by company name?
Yes. On the search-by-name tab enter the company name and country: we search the country’s official open company register — Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Finland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, France, Belgium, Germany, Norway, Switzerland and the UK — so small companies are found too, and the international LEI register (GLEIF) for other countries. The EORI is taken from the register or derived from the registration number where the rule is unambiguous, then checked in the European Commission database and shown as “confirmed” only after that check. In Germany, the Netherlands, Poland and Austria EORI numbers are not published — ask the company for it. British GB numbers are checked in the HMRC database.
What is an EORI number and why is it needed?
EORI (Economic Operators Registration and Identification) is the registration number of a trader in the European Union. Anyone who lodges customs declarations in the EU needs one, including for the EX1 export declaration. Without a valid EORI a supplier cannot lodge the export itself, and the goods will not be released from the EU in its name.
What does an EORI number look like?
Two letters for the issuing country followed by up to 15 characters. In Germany it is DE plus digits, in the Netherlands NL plus the tax number, in Poland PL plus the NIP with additional characters. You do not need to remove spaces or hyphens — we strip them before the check.
Where does the data come from?
From the official European Commission database (EOS, EORI validation) — the same one that is available on ec.europa.eu. The company name and address are only shown if the holder has agreed to publish them; for most companies these fields are hidden, and that is normal.
The number is “not valid” — what now?
Make sure the number was copied in full and with the right country code. If it was, the number is not registered or has been cancelled: ask for the current EORI. If the supplier cannot lodge the export itself, the EX1 declaration can be lodged through our agent in the EU.
Can British GB and XI numbers be checked here?
XI numbers (Northern Ireland) are held in the EU database and can be checked here. Since Brexit, GB numbers are managed by HMRC, the UK customs authority: the tool checks them in the HMRC database.
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