Definition and importance of the EORI numbe

• What is an EORI number?

The EORI number (Economic Operator Registration and Identification) is a unique number required for all customs operations in the European Union, such as export, import and transit. It uniquely identifies each company or person doing business with the customs authorities. 
Each person or company can have only one valid EORI number at any one time, which they must communicate to customs during the clearance process. This unified system makes customs clearance processes more efficient and secure.

•  Who needs an EORI number?

Every company in the European Union must have an EORI number. Even companies located outside the European Union must obtain one if they carry out customs operations, such as import and export declarations.
In addition, certain non-business people are also required to have an EORI number, if the law of their country or the rules of the European Union so require.

•  How to obtain an EORI number？

To obtain an EORI number, a company must register with the customs authority of its country within the European Union. 
If the company is not located in the European Union, it must register in the country where it will carry out its first customs operation. Companies from non-EU countries with several permanent establishments in the EU may choose to register in any of the countries where they have an establishment.

The EORI number consists of the following elements:

• Country code of the issuing member state (2 letters) ;
• Unique identifier in the member state (up to 15 alphanumeric characters).

Invalidity of EORI numbers

EORI numbers are permanently assigned to economic operators and other persons, but can be invalidated on request or in the event of cessation of activities. After invalidation, registered EORI data is kept for ten years.

Recent changes to EORI numbers in France

Until now, the EORI number in France consisted of the word "FR" followed by the SIRET number. Companies had one EORI per site. 

From 2025, companies will have just one EORI, based on the SIREN, for all their sites. This change is designed to comply with European regulations, which stipulate that the EORI must be assigned to a company and not to an establishment.

Why plan for change?

Once the transition to EORI-SIREN has been finalized, EORI-SIRET will be deactivated (Click here to read the information) and can no longer be used for customs clearance. Goods will be blocked until an EORI in SIREN format is obtained. Companies are therefore advised to apply for an EORI-SIREN as soon as possible to avoid bottlenecks in customs systems and delays in obtaining the number.

Modification steps

1. It is now possible to request an EORI-SIREN via the SOPRANO teleservice on the Customs portal.

Click here for a step-by-step guide to filing an EORI.
(All companies holding an Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) authorization already have an EORI SIREN, so no further action is required.)

2. Contact our teams at customs@bansard.com for assistance through the various stages.

REF :

1. https://www.economie.gouv.fr/entreprises/numero-eori#
2. https://www.mathezfreight.com/fr/blog/numeros-eori-ce-qui-change-en-2024-et-2026-en-france/
3. https://www.douane.gouv.fr/actualites/soprano-eori-mise-en-ligne-du-nouveau-formulaire
4. https://deviseo-fret.com/2023/05/30/le-numero-eori-tout-savoir/
5. https://www.eurotax.fr/france-modification-de-la-reglementation-en-matiere-de-numero-eori/
6. https://taxation-customs.ec.europa.eu/customs-4/customs-procedures-import-and-export-0/customs-procedures/economic-operators-registration-and-identification-number-eori_en