How to Apply for an EU EORI Number for ICS2 (Step-by-Step)
- ENS Adviser
- May 11
- 6 min read
If you're a UK haulier moving accompanied freight into the European Union, you now need an EU or XI EORI number to file your ICS2 Entry Summary Declaration. Without one, your declaration will be rejected and your shipment will not be allowed into the EU.
This guide walks you through exactly how to apply: which type of EORI you actually need, the application process in the main EU countries, what documents to prepare, and how long it takes.
What Is an EU EORI Number?
EORI stands for Economic Operators Registration and Identification. It's a unique identification number issued by EU customs authorities to anyone who imports or exports goods across EU borders.
Since the UK left the EU, your GB EORI is no longer valid for movements into the EU itself. Under ICS2 rules (mandatory from January 2026 for road and rail), every haulier carrying accompanied freight into the EU must provide a valid EU or XI EORI on their ENS declaration.
If your EORI is missing or invalid when you submit ICS2, the system will return one of three results:
Assessment Complete: you receive a Movement Reference Number (MRN) and can proceed
Request for Information: customs needs more detail before you move
Do Not Load: your shipment is denied entry to the EU
For a deeper dive into how ICS2 works, see our guide Everything Hauliers Need to Know About EU ENS ICS2.
Which Type of EORI Do You Need?
You only need one EU or XI EORI number, and it must be issued by the first customs territory your goods enter. Here's the rule of thumb:
First entry point | EORI you need |
Northern Ireland | XI EORI |
France (Calais, Dunkirk, Cherbourg) | French (FR) EORI |
Netherlands (Rotterdam, Hook of Holland) | Dutch (NL) EORI |
Belgium (Zeebrugge) | Belgian (BE) EORI |
Ireland (Dublin, Rosslare) | Irish (IE) EORI |
Spain (Santander, Bilbao) | Spanish (ES) EORI |
The vast majority of UK hauliers crossing on Dover–Calais will need a French EORI. Hauliers ferrying to the Netherlands or Belgium need a Dutch or Belgian EORI. The XI EORI route only applies if Northern Ireland is your first point of entry.
You do not need separate EORIs for each EU country. One EORI is valid across the whole bloc.
For the underlying rules, see Do GB Hauliers Need an EU EORI for ICS2?
Step-by-Step: Applying for an XI EORI (Northern Ireland)
The XI EORI is the most straightforward route for UK applicants because the application goes through HMRC in English.
Make sure you have a GB EORI first. Apply free at gov.uk/eori if you don't already have one. Most UK businesses receive theirs within minutes.
Apply for the XI EORI on the same gov.uk service.
You'll need: your GB EORI, business details, Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR), and a description of your customs activity.
Processing time: usually up to 5 working days.
Validation: once issued, confirm it appears on the EU validator at ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/dds2/eos.
Step-by-Step: Applying for an Irish (IE) EORI
Ireland is a popular option for UK applicants because the process is in English, run by Revenue (the Irish tax authority), and can be very fast for those who already have a Revenue account.
There are two paths.
If You Already Have a Revenue Online Service (ROS) Account
Log into ROS
Go to My Services → Other Services
Click Manage Tax Registrations
Tick the boxes for Customs & Excise and EORI registration
Sign and submit
Your EORI is active for use on declarations to Irish Revenue immediately, and appears on the central EU validator within 48 hours.
If You Do Not Have a ROS Account
Email the eCustoms Helpdesk at ecustoms@revenue.ie with the following information:
Full name and business name
Business address (with Eircode if Irish, or full UK address)
Phone number and email
Type of customs activities you'll be carrying out
Business type (limited company, sole trader, etc.)
Application contact person
Irish VAT number (if registered)
VAT numbers from any other EU Member State (if applicable)
Confirmation that you have not applied for an EORI in another Member State
Confirmation that Ireland is your first point of entry
Revenue handles these manually, so allow 3–7 working days.
Step-by-Step: Applying for a French (FR) EORI
If Calais, Dunkirk, or Cherbourg is your first entry point, apply through French Customs (Douanes).
Visit the official French Customs site at douane.gouv.fr
Locate the form titled Demande d'attribution d'un numéro EORI
Complete the form with your legal company name, address, business activity, and VAT details
Submit via the French customs portal or by email to your regional Douane office
Processing typically takes 5–10 working days, but allow longer near ICS2 deadlines when volumes spike
Once issued, validate the number on the EU EORI checker.
Step-by-Step: Applying for a Dutch (NL) EORI
The Netherlands is a strong option if you ferry into Rotterdam or Hook of Holland. The application goes through the Dutch tax authority (Belastingdienst).
Go to the Dutch Customs (Douane) EORI page on belastingdienst.nl
Complete the EORI application form (available in English)
Provide your company details, Chamber of Commerce (KvK) number if applicable, VAT registration, and a description of your customs activity
Submit either via the Dutch Customs portal or by post
Processing time: typically 5–10 working days
What Documents Will You Need?
Whichever country you apply through, prepare these in advance:
Business details: legal name, trading name, address, phone, email
Country of establishment (UK in most cases)
VAT registration number: UK VAT is generally accepted for non-EU operators
Business activity description: be specific, e.g. "Road freight transport, accompanied freight movements, UK–EU"
GB EORI number: usually required as a cross-reference
Director or authorised signatory details
Confirmation that you have not applied for an EORI in any other EU country. This is non-negotiable. You can only hold one EU EORI at a time.
After You Receive Your EORI: Always Validate
Once your EORI is issued, don't assume it's working everywhere. There is often a delay between activation in the issuing country and appearance on the central EU validator. Always check it at:
If your EORI doesn't appear within 48 hours of issue, contact the issuing customs authority. Submitting an ICS2 ENS with an EORI that hasn't yet validated centrally will cause your declaration to be rejected at the EU border.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
These are the issues that cause the most rejections:
Applying in the wrong country. The EORI must be from the first EU customs territory the goods enter — not whichever country has the simplest form
Applying in multiple countries. You can only hold one EU EORI. Multiple applications cause delays and may result in all being voided
Forgetting to validate. The EORI may be active locally before it's recognised on the EU central database
Vague business activity descriptions. "Logistics" isn't enough. Be specific about what you'll be doing and on which routes
Applying at the last minute. Application volumes across all EU customs authorities have spiked since ICS2 went live. Processing times can stretch to 2–3 weeks during peak periods
How Long Does It Take?
Realistic processing times based on current volumes:
EORI Type | Typical Processing Time |
XI EORI | Up to 5 working days |
Irish EORI (via ROS) | Immediate + 48 hours for EU validation |
Irish EORI (via email) | 3–7 working days |
French EORI | 5–10 working days |
Dutch EORI | 5–10 working days |
Belgian EORI | 5–10 working days |
If you're planning your first ICS2 movement, apply at least 3 weeks before your first cross-border shipment to allow for processing, validation, and any clarifications customs may request.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a UK haulier use a GB EORI for ICS2? No. The GB EORI is not valid for movements into the EU. You need an EU or XI EORI on your ICS2 ENS declaration.
Do I need EU VAT registration to get an EU EORI? No. Non-EU operators can apply for an EU EORI without being VAT-registered in the EU. You'll usually need to provide your UK VAT details instead.
Can I have both an XI EORI and an EU EORI? No. You can only hold one EORI valid for EU customs purposes. XI counts as one. Apply for whichever matches your typical first entry point.
Is there a fee to apply? No. EORI applications are free in every EU country.
Does my EORI expire? No. EORIs do not have an expiration date, but they can be invalidated if your business activity ceases or if the number remains unused for an extended period. EORI data is retained for 10 years after invalidation.
What happens if my EORI is rejected on an ICS2 declaration? Your ENS will be returned with an error. The shipment cannot proceed until you submit a valid EORI. This is why validation before your first filing is essential.
Ready to File Your ICS2 Declaration?
Once your EU or XI EORI is active and validated, you're ready to start filing ICS2 ENS declarations.
If you'd rather not handle the technical filing yourself, ENS Ready is a platform built specifically for GB ENS and EU ICS2 declarations. We validate your EORI on submission, handle the ICS2 data requirements correctly the first time, and process declarations in seconds, so your shipment moves through the EU border without holdups.
Comments