What is an EORI number?

EORI number (Economic Operators Registration and Identification) is an EU identification number used in dealings with customs authorities. It is primarily needed by businesses importing from or exporting outside the European Union. If you have been asked for an EORI number and do not know whether your company has one, this guide explains what EORI is, who needs it, how to obtain it and how to check whether one has already been assigned.

How to obtain EORI – available options

✅ Option 1 – Use our support

Start with a free check by Polish NIP to see whether the company already has an EORI number. If not, you can ask Proste Cło to handle registration; we support businesses of every legal form. After your request, you will receive a pro forma invoice and an authorisation to sign. Pay the pro forma invoice and return the signed authorisation to prosteclo@prosteclo.com. Once payment and the signed document are received, we will prepare and submit the application and notify you when EORI is assigned.

Check EORI by Polish NIP

✅ Option 2 – Do it yourself

  1. Create a PUESC account with extended permissions.
  2. Confirm your identity and complete individual registration; you will then receive an ID SISC number.
  3. Submit the WRP0001 company data registration application and select “cło” (customs) as the area of activity to obtain EORI.

Two applications have to be submitted and processed, which can extend the overall time.

📌 Please note! The person registering must be duly authorised to represent the company. When registering on PUESC, details can be confirmed using a qualified electronic signature, a Polish trusted signature or, in certain cases, in person at a customs and revenue office.

Who needs an EORI number?

EORI is primarily required for businesses carrying out customs operations in the European Union, particularly import, export and transit of goods.

Businesses established outside the European Union may also need EORI when carrying out certain customs activities in the EU, such as lodging customs declarations or ENS declarations, or acting as a carrier.

For people who are not acting as businesses, the EORI requirement depends on the activities performed. Registration may not be required for occasional customs declarations if the customs authority considers this justified.

Check whether your company already has EORI

Before applying for registration, first check whether your company has already been assigned EORI.

Before starting registration, it is therefore worth checking whether an EORI number has already been assigned.

You can do this using the European Commission’s official validation tool: Check EORI number

However, you need to know the EORI number you want to validate.

You can also use our tool. Enter the company’s Polish NIP and the application will check the European Commission’s database for an active EORI number.

Check EORI by Polish NIP

If you use the European Commission’s validation tool, enter the EORI number in the correct format

In Poland, EORI has the following structure: PL + NIP + 00000.

For example, for a company with Polish NIP 8471460283 is PL847146028300000.

Create a PUESC account

To obtain EORI, first register on the portal PUESC (www.puesc.gov.pl). Start by creating an account: select “Załóż konto” (Create an account) to open the registration form.

Only an individual, such as an owner, authorised representative or employee, can hold a PUESC account. Companies themselves do not have individual accounts.

If you submit the account application:

  • without a signature – you will receive an account with basic permissions.
  • signed electronically (using a qualified signature or Polish trusted profile) – you will receive an account with extended permissions. Only this type of account allows you to apply to register company data and obtain EORI.

A detailed step-by-step guide to the process is available on our website: How to create a PUESC account (PL)

Submit an EORI application

After creating an account and signing in to PUESC go to the forms section and select WRP0001 – Company data registration.

When completing it, remember to select the field for “obszar działania – cło” (area of activity – customs), which is essential to obtain EORI.

Once the form is complete, the system generates the application. Sign it using a qualified electronic signature or Polish trusted profile and submit it directly through the system.

You then wait for the customs authority’s decision. Registration usually takes from a few hours to several days. Completion is confirmed by a PUESC message containing the assigned EORI number.

Summary

EORI is essential for customs formalities in the European Union. In Poland, obtaining it requires registration on PUESC and an application to the Revenue Administration Regional Office in Poznań. You can do this yourself or use our support.

📢 Have questions? Contact us – we will help you obtain EORI!

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Frequently asked questions about EORI

What is an EORI number?
EORI (Economic Operators Registration and Identification) is an EU identification number for businesses and individuals used in dealings with customs authorities. It is needed for customs clearance and lodging import and export declarations.
Who needs an EORI number?
An EORI number should be held by any business or individual carrying out customs activities, such as importing or exporting goods from outside the European Union.
Is EORI valid throughout the European Union?
Yes. EORI assigned by one Member State is valid throughout the European Union.
How long does it take to obtain EORI?
In most cases, EORI is assigned within 1–2 working days of submitting a complete application.
How much does it cost to obtain EORI?
The customs authority assigns EORI free of charge. If you use a customs agency, you pay only for preparing and submitting the application.
Which documents are needed for EORI?
The documents required depend on the type of entity. Usually, business registration details and proof of authority to represent the entity are needed.
Does EORI expire?
No. EORI is assigned without an expiry date, but business details must remain up to date.
Must EORI details be updated when company details change?
Yes. If business details change, such as company name, registered address, legal form or other registration details, update the information linked to EORI without delay.
This matters because most customs systems use the details in EORI/PUESC rather than details entered manually in a customs declaration. Outdated information can cause difficulties with declarations and communication with customs authorities and delay customs clearance.
Read more about updating details and registering a company on PUESC in our article: How to create a PUESC account and register a company (PL)

Is EORI the same as the Polish NIP?
No. EORI and Polish NIP are different identifiers. NIP is used for tax purposes in Poland, while EORI is used by customs authorities across the European Union. For Polish businesses, EORI usually consists of the prefix PL and the Polish NIP, but its purpose is different and the numbers cannot be used interchangeably.

How can I check whether EORI is active?
You can check EORI status using our EORI checker, which provides a quick validation of the number:
👉 https://prosteclo.pl/uslugi-celne/numer-eori/uzyskaj-numer-eori/
You can also use the European Commission’s official validation tool:
👉 https://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/dds2/eos/eori_validation.jsp?Lang=pl
Remember that these tools only verify the existence and validity of an EORI number. Business details may not be displayed if publication has not been enabled under the relevant customs authority’s settings.
Can I order EORI registration entirely online?
Yes. You can arrange the entire EORI registration process remotely, without visiting our office. Send the necessary details and documents electronically. We will prepare the application, submit it to the relevant authority and notify you when EORI is assigned.
How quickly does Proste Cło submit the EORI application?
After receiving your order, we prepare and submit the application promptly. Assignment time depends on the customs authority. Sometimes the process takes only an hour, but in most cases EORI is assigned within 1–2 working days.
Can I order EORI registration and customs clearance together?
Yes. If you plan to import or export goods, we can obtain EORI while preparing customs clearance. This helps the process run smoothly, allowing us to proceed with the customs declaration promptly once EORI has been assigned.