If you move goods between Great Britain and the EU, you must get an Economic Operators Registration and Identification (EORI) number.

But what is an EORI number and what is it used for?

In this blog, we’ll explain everything you need to know about EORI numbers and how to register.

What is an EORI number?

An EORI number is part of a shared code used across Europe to identify a business. It is made up of two components: the country code of the issuing state, as well as a number that is unique to that state.

For example, a business based in Great Britain will begin with the code ’GB’, followed by a 12-digit number.

Who needs an EORI number?

Any business that seeks to move goods to or from the ‘single market’ must register for an EORI number.

This also includes businesses moving goods between Great Britain and Northern Ireland (NI) as part of the EU withdrawal agreement.

What is an EORI number used for?

The code is used to identify your business for tax and customs purposes. Without one, you cannot complete customs declarations (even if you have someone deal with customs for you), use customs systems such as the Customs Handling of Import and Export Freight (CHIEF) system and the Import Control System Northern Ireland (ICS NI), or apply for a customs decision.

If your business moves goods to or from NI, you may also have to apply for a secondary EORI number (starting with XI).

In special circumstances, you may also need to register for an EORI number in the Member State you are trading with or if you are applying for a customs decision in that state (except if you already have an EORI number starting with XI).

How can I register for an EORI number?

To register for an EORI number starting with GB, click here.

For any other Member State, please visit their national customs domain. A full list of domains can be found here.

Get expert advice

For help and advice with related matters, please get in touch with our expert Brexit advisory team today.

There are now just two months left to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme to secure the right to live and work in the UK, businesses have been warned.

The report comes shortly before the 30 June 2021 deadline, after which workers may be forced to return to their home countries should they not apply in time.

Under the scheme, EU, European Economic Area (EEA), and Swiss citizens who lived in the UK before the end of the transition period will be offered permanent residence – providing they meet the criteria to stay.

The application process is free, but applicants must demonstrate that they are in the UK as a worker, student, or “self-sufficient person”, as well as provide a form of official ID and their National Insurance (NI) number if they have one.

If a worker has lived in the UK for longer than five years, they may apply for “settled status”, while those who have lived in the UK for less than five years can only apply for “pre-settled status”.

If you are an employer, you should ensure that your European workers have applied and have been awarded settled or pre-settled status by 30 June, or risk breaking the law.

You should encourage your employees to apply as soon as possible to avoid uncertainty and offer assistance where possible. However, you cannot insist that they apply and cannot insist on receiving proof of status until after the deadline.

A new digital system will be launched after 30 June 2021 to enable employers to check proof of status.

Commenting on the scheme, Minister for Future Borders and Immigration Kevin Foster said: “My message to European citizens and their family members is simple – apply now and join the millions who have already been through the simple process to secure their status.

“There is plenty of support available and the new funding announced today means no stone will be left unturned in ensuring everyone gets the help they need.”

According to the latest statistics, the EU Settlement Scheme has now received over five million applications, but millions more workers are yet to apply.

To learn more about the EU Settlement Scheme, please click here.

For help and advice with related matters, please get in touch with our expert Brexit advisory team today.

While the UK officially left the European Union on 1 January 2021, the planning and preparations do not stop there.

Ahead of the new tax year, we look at the key dates and rule changes your business needs to know about.

March 2021: the Brexit Recovery Fund opens for applications

Launching this week, the Brexit Recovery Fund enables businesses who trade with the EU to access up to £2,000 in grant funding to cover the costs of specialist training and professional advice (including accountant’s fees), to help them adapt to new customs and tax processes, such as rules of origin and VAT.

To apply, your business must move goods between Great Britain and the EU or Northern Ireland; be established in the UK for at least 12 months or currently hold Authorised Economic Operator status; have no more than 500 employees and turnover no more than £100 million; and have not previously failed to meet its tax or customs obligations.

1 October 2021: animal product rules come into force

• Pre-notification requirements for Products of Animal Origin (POAO), certain animal by-products (ABP), and High Risk Food Not Of Animal Origin (HRFNAO) will come into effect from 1 October 2021
• Export Health Certificate requirements for POAO and certain ABP will come into force on the same date.

January 2022: full border control processes come into force

In response to the coronavirus pandemic, the Government has now pushed back the introduction of full border control processes until 1 January 2022 – six months later than planned.

• While customs import declarations will still be required, the option to use the deferred declaration scheme – including submitting supplementary declarations up to six months after the goods have been imported – will be available until the end of the year
• Safety and Security Declarations for imports will also not be required until 01 January 2022, while physical SPS checks for POAO, certain ABP, and HRFNAO will not be required until the same date
• Physical SPS checks on high-risk plants will take place at Border Control Posts, rather than at the place of destination as now, from 1 January 2022
• Pre-notification requirements and documentary checks, including phytosanitary certificates will be required for low risk plants and plant products, and will be introduced from 1 January 2022.

March 2022: Border control checks on live animals

• Checks at Border Control Posts will take place on live animals and low risk plants and plant products.

For help and advice with related matters, please get in touch with our expert team today.

The Government has now launched its £20 million SME Brexit Support Fund – apply today!

The SME Brexit Support Fund has been designed to help SMEs with the new rules that apply to trading with the EU following the end of the Brexit transition period.

The fund offers grants worth up to £2,000 to enable businesses who trade only with the EU to access training and professional advice to ensure they can continue trading with minimal disruption.

This includes training on:

• How to complete customs declarations
• How to manage customs processes and use customs software and systems
• Specific import and export related issues, including VAT, excise and rules of origin.

Additionally, the grant can be put towards professional advice relating to meeting customs, excise, import VAT and safety and security declaration requirements.

Businesses are eligible for the fund if they:

• Have been established in the UK for at least 12 months before submitting an application or currently hold Authorised Economic Operator status;
• Have not failed to meet tax or customs obligations in the past;
• Have no more than 500 employees;
• Have turnover of no more than £100 million; and
• Import or export goods between Great Britain and the EU or between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

They must also meet one of the following conditions:

• Complete (or intend to complete) import or export declarations for their own goods; or
• Use someone else to complete import or export declarations but need additional capability to effectively import or export.

To apply for this funding, businesses must complete their submission by 30 June 2021 at the latest, although the Government has confirmed that this scheme may close early if the allocated funding is fully utilised sooner.

Click here to apply for the SME Brexit Support Fund

Businesses have been given longer to prepare for changes to customs after the Government set out a new timetable for introducing import border control processes to enable UK businesses to focus on their recovery.

Full import border control processes will now be introduced on 1 January 2022 instead of 1 July 2021 – six months later than originally planned.

We highly recommend that you use this fund to prepare your businesses for the changes ahead, including making use of our Brexit services so that you can continue to trade unhindered.

To find out more about our dedicated post-Brexit advice and support, please contact us.