Any business or individual established in the EU (an economic operator) needs to obtain an EORI number from their national customs authority before commencing customs activities in the EU.
[3] The EORI system was established in order to implement the security measures introduced by Regulation (EEC) No 2913/92, as amended by Regulation (EC) No 648/2005 of the European Parliament and of the council.
The European Commission notes that traders themselves have been calling for a common numbering system which is unique to each individual and valid throughout the European Union since mandatory identification codes for traders were introduced by Regulation 2286/20032.
[4] The commission's EORI2 project aims to update the existing system with additional elements required by the Union Customs Code Delegated Act,[5] relating to whether the trader is established in the European Union or in a third country.
[6] In certain cases, companies who move goods between Northern Ireland and Great Britain also require an EORI number.