An EORI number is the customs ID every UK importer needs before their first shipment arrives — here's what it is, how to get one for free, and what happens without one.
In summary: An EORI number (Economic Operators Registration and Identification number) is a unique customs ID required by any UK business importing or exporting goods commercially. You must have one before your first shipment arrives in the UK — without it, goods can be held at customs and storage fees accrue quickly. Applying is free, takes around five minutes on the HMRC website, and you'll typically receive your number within three working days. Any UK business sourcing products from China, Vietnam, or elsewhere for resale needs an EORI number.
Picture this: a business owner in Manchester has just found the perfect supplier in Shenzhen. Samples were approved. The purchase order went out. The factory shipped the goods. Four weeks later, a container arrives at Felixstowe — and customs won't release it. The reason? No EORI number.
It's a more common story than you'd think. The EORI number is one of those essential administrative details that nobody tells you about when you're starting out as an importer. It's not glamorous. It doesn't make it onto the entrepreneurial YouTube channels. But it is fundamental — and without it, your carefully sourced goods sit at the port while your money stays frozen and your customers wait.
Easy. Peasy. Or is it? Let me walk you through everything you need to know about EORI numbers — what they are, why you need one, how to get one, and what happens if you try to import without one.
EORI stands for Economic Operators Registration and Identification. It's a unique reference number issued by HMRC (His Majesty's Revenue and Customs) that identifies your business in UK customs systems. Every time goods are imported to or exported from the UK commercially, customs authorities need to know who the importer or exporter is — and your EORI number is how they identify you.
Think of it as your customs ID card. Just as you'd need a passport to cross a border, your EORI number is the credential that identifies your business in the UK customs process.
UK EORI numbers start with "GB" followed by your VAT number (if you're VAT-registered) or a unique number assigned by HMRC (if you're not VAT-registered). They look something like this: GB123456789000. The format is standardised, which means UK customs software, freight forwarders, and customs brokers all recognise and process them the same way.
Yes — if you're importing goods into the UK commercially, you need an EORI number. Full stop. It doesn't matter whether you're importing a single pallet of protein shakers or a 20-foot container of travel mugs. If goods are crossing the UK border on a commercial basis, HMRC requires the importer to have an EORI number.
The only meaningful exception is personal imports — goods bought for personal use, below the customs duty threshold. But if you're reading this because you want to source products commercially (for sale in the UK, for your online store, for Amazon FBA, or for wholesale), you need an EORI number.
This applies to all UK importers regardless of business size. Whether you're a sole trader who's just launched their first product or an established SME — the requirement is the same. And importantly, you need your EORI number before your first shipment departs, not after it arrives. Your freight forwarder will ask for it. If you're just starting your import journey, our Complete Guide to Importing from China to the UK covers the full picture of what you need in place before your first order ships.
Sourcing Hack #1: Apply for your EORI number before you start talking to suppliers. The application is free and quick — there's no reason to wait. Having it ready means you can share it with your freight forwarder immediately when your first order is confirmed, rather than scrambling at the last minute.
Applying for an EORI number is one of the most straightforward things HMRC asks importers to do. Here's the process:
Step 1: Go to the UK Government's EORI application page (search "apply for EORI number" on GOV.UK — look for the official HMRC service). You'll need a Government Gateway account — the same login used for VAT returns, Self Assessment, and other HMRC services.
Step 2: Log in with your Government Gateway credentials. If you don't have a Government Gateway account, you can create one during the application — it takes around five minutes.
Step 3: Complete the application form. You'll be asked for your VAT registration number (if you have one), your business address, your National Insurance number (if you're a sole trader), and basic information about your business.
Step 4: Submit. If you're VAT-registered, your EORI number is typically issued instantly — it's usually your GB VAT number with "000" appended. If you're not VAT-registered, HMRC will generate a unique number, and you'll typically receive it within three working days. The application is completely free. If any website is charging you to apply, they are adding unnecessary cost to a free government process.
Sourcing Hack #2: VAT-registered businesses — your EORI number is almost certainly already issued. It's your GB VAT number followed by "000". If your VAT number is GB123456789, your EORI is GB123456789000. You can verify this in your HMRC online account. Many new importers don't realise they already have an EORI number and apply unnecessarily.
This is a common source of confusion. Your VAT number identifies you in the UK VAT system and determines whether you charge and reclaim VAT on sales. Your EORI number is your customs identifier — it tells UK Border Force and HMRC who is responsible for a shipment crossing the UK border.
The two systems are related but separate. If you're VAT-registered, your EORI number is derived from your VAT number (GB VAT number + "000"). But you can have an EORI number without being VAT-registered — and many small importers below the VAT threshold (currently £90,000 annual turnover) have EORI numbers without VAT registration.
For import purposes, both matter in different ways. Your EORI number is used on customs declarations to identify the importer. Your VAT number is used by HMRC to account for import VAT — the VAT due on goods entering the UK. Import VAT is separate from domestic VAT, though VAT-registered businesses can typically reclaim it.
For VAT-registered businesses, your EORI number is essentially instant — HMRC automatically issues it and it can be looked up immediately. For non-VAT-registered businesses, HMRC states that EORI numbers are typically issued within three working days of a completed application. In practice, many applicants receive theirs faster.
The key takeaway: don't leave this until your shipment is already in transit. Apply as soon as you decide to import commercially. It costs nothing and takes minutes. There is literally no reason to delay.
Sourcing Hack #3: Once you have your EORI number, share it with your freight forwarder or customs broker immediately and save it somewhere accessible. You'll use it on every import customs declaration. Your freight forwarder will need it to submit your import entry — in most cases, they'll ask for it before they can even book your shipment.
In short, things go wrong. Without an EORI number, customs authorities cannot process your import declaration. Your goods will be held at the port while HMRC awaits correct identification. Port storage fees accrue quickly — we're talking potentially hundreds of pounds per day for containerised goods. Your freight forwarder cannot process the customs entry on your behalf without one.
In practice, most experienced freight forwarders will catch this before it becomes a crisis — they'll ask for your EORI number when you book, not when the container arrives. But if you've tried to handle customs clearance without a broker, the first you might know about the problem is when customs contacts you about a held shipment. Getting an EORI number is free and takes minutes; not having one when you need it can cost thousands.
No. Your UK EORI number (GB prefix) covers both imports and exports. A single EORI number is all you need for all your commercial trade with countries outside the UK — the same number goes on import and export declarations alike.
It's worth noting that if you trade goods between Great Britain and Northern Ireland under the Windsor Framework, there is a separate XI EORI number for those movements. But for the vast majority of UK businesses importing from China, Vietnam, or elsewhere in Asia, a standard GB EORI number is all that's required.
Sourcing Hack #4: Keep your EORI number alongside your other key import documents — company registration number, VAT number, and bank details. Create a simple "importer credentials" document you can share quickly with freight forwarders, customs brokers, or sourcing agents. It saves time every time you onboard a new logistics partner.
An EORI number is just the beginning. Importing commercially from China (or using a sourcing agent) requires several other essentials: the right HS code for your product (which determines duty rate and regulatory requirements), awareness of your import duty rate under the UK Global Tariff, a freight forwarder or customs broker to handle declarations, and product compliance — UKCA marking, safety testing, and any category-specific requirements. Our guide on safety checks before buying from Alibaba is a useful starting point.
If all of this sounds complex, that's exactly why businesses come to us. Our White Label, Private Label, and Secret Label packages take the entire sourcing process off your plate — supplier finding, sampling, quality control, shipping, and compliance documentation — leaving you to focus on selling. Book a call or email hello@epicsourcing.co.uk.
If you're just starting out, our posts on how small businesses can cut costs by sourcing directly and importing from Alibaba to the UK are useful companion reads. And if you're thinking about building a resilient dual-country supply chain, our guide to the China-Plus-One strategy for UK importers is worth a read.
Yes, completely free. You apply through HMRC's Government Gateway portal — there is no fee whatsoever. Be wary of any third-party website charging for EORI number applications; they are adding unnecessary cost to a free government service.
Absolutely. Sole traders, limited companies, partnerships, and charities can all obtain EORI numbers. The application process is the same regardless of your business structure, though sole traders will be asked for their National Insurance number rather than a company registration number.
Yes. Even if your freight forwarder handles all the customs paperwork on your behalf, they still need your EORI number to submit the import declaration in your name. Your EORI number identifies you as the legal importer of record — the freight forwarder acts as your agent, but you remain the importer.
Currently, import duty applies to goods valued above £135. However, an EORI number is required for all commercial imports regardless of value. Import VAT is also applicable on most commercial imports regardless of value — it's the duty threshold, not the EORI requirement, that changes at £135.
Potentially. If you change from a sole trader to a limited company (or vice versa), or if there's a significant change in your business's legal identity, you may need to apply for a new EORI number. Contact HMRC directly to confirm the requirements for your specific situation.
You can verify any UK EORI number using the UK Government's EORI checker tool — search "check EORI number" on GOV.UK. You'll receive confirmation of whether the number is valid and active. This is useful if you're unsure whether a number issued to you is still active, or if you want to verify an EORI number provided by a supplier or agent.
Ready to start importing? Getting your EORI number is the first step — but it's just one step. If you want help with the rest of the process — finding the right supplier, managing quality, and getting your goods to the UK efficiently — that's exactly what Epic Sourcing does. Book a free strategy call or email hello@epicsourcing.co.uk | 07551 136406.
TK Wang, Founder & Director @ Epic Sourcing
