EORI number
A unique identifier assigned by EU customs authorities to economic operators conducting cross-border trade. Required for any commercial import or export between the EU and non-EU countries. German EORI numbers start with "DE" followed by 15 digits.
The EORI number (Economic Operators Registration and Identification number) is a unique identifier assigned by EU customs authorities to economic operators conducting cross-border trade. Any German watch dealer who imports from or exports to a non-EU country needs an EORI number before the first commercial customs declaration.
EORI structure
A German EORI number is:
DE + 15 digits
The number is permanent for the life of the business and is used in every customs declaration, courier shipping label, and import-export form filed with German customs (Zoll).
How to obtain one
A German business applies for an EORI number through the Generalzolldirektion (GZD) via the Zoll-Portal online portal. The application requires:
- Trade registration (Handelsregisterauszug or Gewerbeanmeldung).
- VAT identification number (USt-IdNr.) if the business has one.
- Tax identification number (Steuernummer).
- Business contact details.
Processing time is typically 1 to 5 working days. The EORI number is issued by email and immediately usable.
When the EORI number is required
- Outbound shipments to non-EU customers. Every Ausfuhrlieferung declaration to Switzerland, UK, US, etc., includes the dealer's EORI number.
- Inbound shipments from non-EU suppliers. Import declarations include the importing dealer's EORI.
- Customs broker engagements. When a dealer engages a customs broker (Zollagent) for complex shipments, the EORI number authorises the broker to file on the dealer's behalf.
- Courier shipping labels. DHL, FedEx, UPS, and similar carriers ask for the EORI number when shipping to non-EU destinations from Germany.
For intra-EU shipments (Germany to Italy, France, etc.), the EORI number is not used because no customs declaration is filed — the intra-community supply flow uses VAT IDs only.
Common dealer mistakes
- Operating without an EORI number and using a courier's "borrow" account for early shipments. Works briefly but the dealer is invisible to customs records and can hit problems with reclaim of import VAT later.
- Mixing personal and business EORI if the dealer also imports personally. Each legal entity needs its own EORI; a sole proprietor and their company are separate entities.
- Failing to update the EORI registration when business address or legal form changes. The old EORI may be deactivated, blocking subsequent shipments.
EORI versus other identifiers
EORI is for customs. VAT-ID (USt-IdNr.) is for VAT within the EU. They overlap in usage (both appear on cross-border invoices) but serve different agencies. A watch dealer shipping outside the EU must include EORI on the customs documents; VAT-ID is irrelevant on a Drittland export.
Related: customs, ausfuhrlieferung, drittland, insured-shipping.