The Economic Operator Identification and Registration (EORI) number is allocated by the competent customs authorities of the EU member states to economic operators who, in the context of their activities, are involved in transactions governed by the customs legislation.

Once an economic operator receives an EORI number, they are able to use it as a unique identification number in all their transactions with the customs authorities of all EU member states, such as for:

• the reporting of goods before their arrival and before their departure, when such goods respectively enter or leave the customs territory of the EU
• the process of import and release for free circulation, export and transit

In addition, the EORI number is used by customs authorities when exchanging information on the movement of goods.