Economic Operators Registration and Identification System (ICS)
In 2009, the European Community implemented a new Economic Operators Registration and Identification System (EORI) for customs clearance.
The EORI number is a 17-digit number unique throughout the European Community, assigned by a customs authority or designated authority or authorities in a Member State to economic operators and other persons. By registering, for customs purposes, in one Member State operators are able to obtain an EORI number that is valid throughout the Community.
Economic operators should apply for an EORI number before they start activities covered by customs legislation, e.g. before they start their export or import operations. Economic operators who have not applied for registration may do so during their first operation.
Economic operators established in the EU should always be registered in the Member State where they are established. Even if the first operation takes place in another Member State, economic operators must ask the Member State in which they are established to assign them an EORI number. Identification and registration data on economic operators and other persons may be published on the Internet by the Commission.
Once the EORI number has been granted, this unique number must be used in all customs transactions and activities throughout the Community whenever an identifier is required. From January 2010, the use of the EORI number is mandatory.
