Your first overseas order arrives. You pack it, print the label and hand it to the courier. Two days later, the tracking page says “held at customs.”
Cross-border selling opens up a much bigger market, but it also brings customs paperwork. One small identifier, the EORI number, often decides whether your parcel keeps moving or waits. This guide explains what it does for your online store and how to get one.
Your Store Went Global. Did Your Paperwork?
Whether you sell on your own website, Amazon, eBay or Etsy, a buyer abroad means your goods cross a customs border. Customs authorities need to know who is sending or receiving those goods.
That is where the EORI number comes in. EORI stands for Economic Operators Registration and Identification. It is a unique ID that identifies your business to customs.
Think of it as a customs ID for your store. Your declarations can be linked to it, which keeps every shipment clear and traceable.
5 Things Your EORI Number Does for Your Online Business
Here is what it actually does for you as a seller.
1. Keeps Your Parcels Moving
Customs declarations are tied to your number. With it in place, your shipments can be processed without unnecessary back-and-forth.
2. Helps You Avoid Costly Delays
If a required EORI number is missing, goods can be delayed, held at the port or even returned. That can mean extra storage and admin fees, plus frustrated customers.
3. Makes Couriers and Brokers Happy
Many couriers and customs brokers ask for your number before they clear a parcel. Having it ready means smoother handovers and fewer follow-up emails.
4. Lets You Handle Your Own Customs Declarations
If you want to submit customs declarations or work with customs procedures yourself, you generally need one. It gives you more control over how your goods are cleared.
5. Builds Trust With Customers and Partners
Smooth delivery means fewer complaints, refunds and bad reviews. Reliable customs handling also looks professional to suppliers and logistics partners.
Do You Really Need One? A Quick Test for Online Sellers
You will likely need an EORI number if you:
- Ship products from your country to customers abroad
- Import stock from overseas suppliers or manufacturers
- Send inventory to fulfilment centres or warehouses in another country
- Run a dropshipping model where goods cross borders
- Sell on marketplaces but handle the shipping yourself
If two or more of these sound familiar, it is worth checking your status before your next shipment.
When You May Not Need One
Not every online seller does. If you sell only digital products or services, no physical goods cross a customs border, so you usually don’t.
Some sellers also rely on a marketplace or fulfilment partner that handles customs in its own name. Since setups differ, check with your platform or courier. And as some VAT-registered businesses already hold one, check whether you are covered before applying.
UK, EU or Both? Which EORI Number Fits Your Store
The right number depends on where your goods move:
- GB EORI: for moving goods between Great Britain and other countries
- XI EORI: for goods moving to or from Northern Ireland
- EU EORI: for customs declarations within EU member states
Take a small UK candle store selling to customers in Germany. It needs a GB EORI for the UK side. If it handles EU customs declarations itself, it may need an EU EORI too.
An EU EORI is valid across all EU member states, so one number covers the whole bloc. Selling in both the UK and the EU may mean holding one of each.
Get Your EORI Number Without Slowing Down Sales
You have two main routes, and both work.
The Free DIY Route
Apply directly with the customs authority. In the UK, you can apply through GOV.UK, and the number is usually issued immediately, or within about five working days if extra checks are needed. EU timelines vary by country.
The official route is free. The trade-off is time, since each authority has its own forms and requirements.
The Done-for-You Route
If you are busy running a store, an intermediary can take the paperwork off your plate. EORI.services is an independent intermediary that collects your details, prepares the application and submits it to the relevant customs authority on your behalf. It covers the 27 EU countries and the UK.
It is not a government body and does not issue any EORI number. It charges a service fee, and no service can guarantee approval, because only customs authorities decide. Compare the fee with the time you would save, then pick what suits your business.
4 EORI Slip-Ups That Can Cost You Sales
A small mistake can hold up an order. Watch out for these:
- Waiting until the first shipment is stuck. Sort your number before you ship, not after.
- Using the wrong type. A GB number does not replace an EU number, and vice versa.
- Typos in company details. Names or registration numbers that do not match official records can delay approval.
- Confusing EORI with VAT. A VAT number is for tax. An EORI number identifies you to customs.
Final Thoughts: Ship Smarter, Sell Further
An EORI number will not grow your sales by itself, but it removes one of the biggest roadblocks to cross-border selling. Check whether you need one, choose the right type and apply early.
Do that, and your parcels spend less time at customs and more time on the way to happy customers.
This guide is for general information only. Always confirm requirements with the relevant customs authority before applying.
EORI for Online Sellers: Quick Answers
1. Do I need an EORI number to sell on Amazon or eBay internationally?
It depends on who handles customs. If your goods cross borders and you act as the importer or exporter, you may need one.
2. Do I need an EORI number for dropshipping?
If your goods cross customs borders and you are listed as the importer or exporter, you may need one. Check with your supplier and courier.
3. Can I sell digital products without an EORI number?
Usually yes, since no physical goods cross customs borders.
4. Will my courier apply for an EORI number for me?
Couriers often ask for your number but may not apply on your behalf. Confirm with your courier or customs broker.
5. How long does it take to get an EORI number for my store?
In the UK it is usually issued immediately, or within about five working days if extra checks are needed. EU timelines vary by country.
6. What happens if I ship an overseas order without an EORI number?
Your parcel may be delayed, held at customs or even returned. This can also mean extra storage and admin fees.
7. Do I need an EORI number if I only sell on my own website?
If you ship physical goods across borders and handle customs yourself, you may need one. The sales channel does not matter, the movement of goods does.
8. Can a small or new online store apply for an EORI number?
Yes. Businesses of any size can apply, including sole traders and startups, as long as they move goods across borders. Check the requirements of the customs authority you apply to.