Skip to content

Importers and exporters will need an EORI number assigned by Customs for trade with non-EU countries

Publication date 21.4.2020 13.30
Press release

All importers and exporters must obtain an identification number for customs transactions, an EORI number, from Customs, because in future it must be provided in customs declarations. When the new import declarations are introduced at the end of 2020, the importer’s EORI number will be required, also in cases where the customs declaration is submitted by a representative. The EORI number is also required for accessing the EU e-services.

Important identifier in customs transactions

Most customs declarations in the EU already require that the declarant’s EORI number be provided. In future, only Intrastat declarations for intra-EU trade can be submitted without the EORI number. EORI is an EU-wide system for the registration and identification of economic operators. In Finland, Customs is responsible for assigning EORI numbers, and Finnish companies are always registered for EORI in Finland. The EORI number is made up of a country code, FI, and the Business ID.

Check if your company already has an EORI number

Enter the country code FI and your Business ID in the EORI number validation-service to see if your company has an EORI number.

If you don’t have an EORI number, obtain it now from Customs

If your company is indicated as importer or exporter in customs declarations and your company doesn’t have an EORI number, obtain it now. In this way you can make sure that it is available well in advance of the introduction of the new customs declarations. The service Applying for an EORI number uses Suomi.fi identification and authorisations as well as Katso identification and authorisations for customers who cannot use Suomi.fi yet. The mandate “Customs clearance” is required for using this service.

Required for import and export and for accessing the EU e-services

When companies start submitting customs declarations to Customs’ new customs clearance systems, the declarants must provide their EORI numbers in the customs declarations. Customs will monitor the providing of the importer’s EORI number in the new import declarations and, where necessary, will advise importers to register for EORI. Customs also has plans to start checking the EORI numbers of exporters during 2020.

The EORI number is also mandatory when accessing the EU e-services that require identification: These include:

  • the Customs Decisions System (CDS) for authorisations which may have an impact in more than one Member State
  • the BTI service for applying for binding tariff information
  • the AEO service for applying for AEO authorisation.

The EORI number will also be required in the Information Sheet system (INF) for Special Procedures, which will be introduced on 1 June 2020. The information currently provided with INF forms on processing procedures starting with export or carried out in several Member States will be provided electronically.

Required for trade with the UK as of 1 January 2021

The EORI number will also be required if a company is trading with the UK, because import and export declarations must be submitted for goods after the Brexit transition period as of 1 January 2021.

More information on the Customs website: What is EORI? and How to identify yourself and grant mandates. You can also call the Customs Information Service for businesses, tel. +358 295 5202.

Kundmeddelande