UK BREXIT – EORI number
Imports & Exports of Goods after the 1st of January 2021
As of the 31 January 2020, the UK is officially out of the EU and the transition period is in place. After the 1st of January 2021 this transition period for BREXIT will be over and the rules and regulation which now govern the traffic of goods and services will no longer apply. If your business involves imports or exports of physical goods into the EU or UK, there is a possibility that you may require a new EORI number.
What is an EORI number?
An EORI (Economic Operators Registration and Identification) number is a registration and identification number for businesses that undertake the import or export of goods into or out of the EU and UK.
How does it affect your business?
Before BREXIT, having one EORI number from any EU State Member served for the whole Union. Now, with the UK outside the EU and when the transition period is over, your current EORI number might not be valid anymore to import/export goods whether into the EU or UK.
Having an EORI number is important as it ensures that you can continue your operations after January 1, 2021 and avoid costs and delays at the border when clearing customs. Failing to provide a valid EORI number means that your import /export activities will be put on hold.
What you should do?
Global VAT Compliant can assist you with this assessment. If you have an EU EORI number you might need a UK EORI number or the other way around.
- If your business is based in the EU then you might require a UK EORI number.
- If your business is based in the UK then you might require a EU EORI number.
- If your business is based outside the EU or UK you might need two EORI numbers, one for UK, one for EU Member States.
If you currently hold a UK only VAT registration, in order to distance sell into the EU, you may also want to apply for an additional VAT registration for an EU member country prior to January 1, 2021.
Act Now
Waiting times are likely to increase as more and more companies will be applying for an EORI number so make sure to apply now in order not to experience any delays.
EORI update 15 January 2021
You will need an EORI number in order to move goods between Great Britain (Wales, England and Scotland) or the Isle of Man, and other countries. You may also need a new EORI number if you plan to move goods to or from Northern Ireland.
If you already have a UK EORI number but it does not start with GB maybe you will need to apply for a new EORI number.
If you only provide services or move goods between Ireland and Northern Ireland then you do not need an EORI number.
If you already have an EORI number starting with GB
You need to apply for an EORI number that starts with XI if you have not already received one from HMRC in the post.
22/01/2021 Update:
New EORI Tool released from the UK government.
The UK government released a new tool in order to check on EORI numbers. Before an EC resource.
You can find the EORI tool by clicking here: Check EORI number