EORI number

Your customs identifier — and why it is not your identifier in the DPP registry

Customs documentation and economic operator identification in the EU

EORI (Economic Operators Registration and Identification) is the unique number customs authorities across the EU use to recognise an economic operator. It is issued once, by the Member State where the operator is established, and is valid in all the others. Without an EORI you cannot lodge a customs declaration to import or export.

As the Digital Product Passport approached, an expectation spread that EORI would also serve as the identifier in the EU registry. It does not — and the difference changes how you should prepare your processes.

In short

One number for the whole Union

EORI is issued by your Member State of establishment and recognised by customs in every other. You do not need a separate number per country you trade in.

The adopted text names no EORI

The Implementing Regulation on the DPP registry names neither EORI nor EOID nor LEI nor any GS1 scheme as the mandatory identifier of the registered economic operator.

The registry mints its own identifier

The registration identifier is generated by the registry itself. Do not build your process around the assumption that you will submit a pre-existing external number.

EOID is a separate class, not EORI

EN 18219 defines EOID (economic operator identifier) and FID (facility identifier) as classes distinct from the product identifier. EOID builds on GLN, not on EORI.

EORI number

Frequently asked questions

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No. EORI is required for customs formalities on import and export. Passport obligations flow from the ESPR and the EU registry, which are a separate system with separate identification.

Because both systems describe the same subject — the economic operator — and the summarising layer in trade press collapses them. The primary text does not connect them.

You apply to the customs authority of the Member State where your business is established. The number is typically formed from the country code plus your national company identifier.

Customs documentation and economic operator identification in the EU
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