EORI number: what you need to know
Quick answer
An EORI number identifies you to customs authorities throughout the EU. You need one for customs activities involving countries outside the EU, not for trade within the union. Applying is free and most applications are processed within an hour. A Swedish number consists of SE followed by the company registration number without a hyphen.
What is an EORI number?
EORI stands for Economic Operators Registration and Identification. It is the EU’s common way of identifying businesses and organisations involved in customs activities.
An operator should have only one EORI number, valid in every member state. A business established in the EU applies in its country of establishment: Sweden in the case of a Swedish business.
When you need one
This is easily misunderstood, and the earlier version of this page had it the wrong way round. An EORI number is needed for customs activities involving countries outside the EU. If you only trade with Germany or France, you do not need an EORI number.
- You are named as consignee, declarant, exporter or representative in an import or export customs declaration involving a country outside the EU.
- You submit an entry or exit summary declaration.
- You are named as the carrier in an export or transit declaration.
- You operate a temporary storage facility or apply for a customs authorisation.
- Cost
- Nothing. The application is free.
- Processing time
- Most within an hour; others normally within a week
- Format
SEfollowed by ten digits, normally the company registration number without a hyphen- How to apply
- Through the Swedish Customs online service, using electronic identification
- Minimum age
- The applicant must be at least 16
- Validity
- Throughout the EU. One number per operator.
EORI facts
How to apply
Applications are free through the Swedish Customs online service. The documents you need to attach depend on the type of operator.
- Limited companies and trading partnerships. Identify yourself electronically. No registration certificate is needed.
- Non-profit associations and foundations. A registration certificate must be attached.
- Operators established outside the EU. A registration certificate plus transport documents or an invoice showing that the first customs activity in the EU takes place in Sweden.
For Swedish operators, the VAT registration number is linked to the EORI number automatically through information from the Swedish Tax Agency. To link a branch to its parent company’s number, email eori@tullverket.se. A Swedish branch cannot obtain its own EORI number.
The number’s format
A Swedish EORI number consists of the country code SE followed by ten digits. For operators established in Sweden, these are usually the company registration number, or the personal identity number for sole traders. The hyphen is omitted.
For operators established outside the EU, the numeric part starts with 444 or 502, depending on whether the applicant was registered for VAT in Sweden when applying. A 502 number is therefore not an error. Swedish branches have registration numbers starting with 5164.
Private individuals
A private individual importing for personal use usually does not need an EORI number. Instead, the code PRIVA, a natural person without an EORI number, is entered in data element 12 02 008 000 of the standard customs declaration.
There are exceptions. Anyone importing more than 50 tonnes of CBAM goods in a calendar year is subject to the same requirements as a business and needs an EORI number. It is also required for customs activities where the individual acts as declarant or representative.
If you use a customs broker, the broker declares with your EORI number. You give the assignment with a power of attorney.
Check an EORI number
This practical tool was missing from the earlier page. In the European Commission’s validation service, enter SE followed by the company registration number to see immediately whether the number is valid. The name and address are displayed if the holder has chosen to publish them.
The same service also displays AEO authorisations and REX numbers, which is useful when checking a counterparty before accepting an assignment.
Does my business need an EORI number?
Yes, if you participate in imports or exports involving a country outside the EU. No, if you only trade within the union. A business established outside the EU cannot act as declarant or exporter and will usually need an indirect representative. Norwegian operators are exempt from the establishment requirement.
How long does it take?
Most applications are processed within an hour. Others normally take up to a week.
Must I report a change of address?
Not if the business is established in Sweden. Swedish Customs receives the information automatically from the Swedish Companies Registration Office and the Swedish Tax Agency. If the business is established outside the EU, email the change to tullverket@tullverket.se.
How do I cancel an EORI number?
Email tullverket@tullverket.se.
Can our branch get its own number?
No. A Swedish branch cannot be assigned its own EORI number and must be linked to its parent company’s number. Request the link by emailing eori@tullverket.se.
Read on
How importing works is covered on our page about importing into Sweden.
How exporting works is covered on our page about exporting from Sweden.
More guides are collected in our customs guides.
Sources
The information on this page was checked against the following sources on 7 September 2026. Rules can change and the page may become outdated. Please let us know if you spot anything incorrect.
