How to acquire a Dutch EORI Number?

EORI number – What is it?

If you’re selling anything in the EU which requires customs declaration, you’ll need an EORI number (Economic Operator Registration and Identification). Requesting an EORI number is simple if you have a Dutch company registered. The EORI number enables your company to conduct EU-wide cross-border transactions.

According to the following formula, the Netherlands’ EORI number can be determined. The nation code (‘NL’ for Netherlands) is followed by the company’s fiscal number. The fiscal number, often known as the RSIN, is a unique identifier.

When your firm does international business and wants to file customs declarations, you must obtain an EORI number. Customs and your business will both benefit from the increased speed of data flow between the EU and the rest of the world.

How to check EORI number activation

Companies like limited liability companies (BV) and sole proprietorships can receive EORI numbers, as can other types of businesses run by individuals. EORI numbers used by branches are not unique. They apply the main office’s number.

It is the member state where the economic operator is based that assigns an EORI number to the company. All members accept an EORI number that has been granted by one of the member nations as valid. Dutch Customs will communicate businesses that get a Dutch EORI number of this number.

The European Commission’s EORI database allows you to verify the status of EORI numbers granted by any EU member state. It is important to note that not all EORI number holders are in agreement with disclosure. In other words, not all active accounts can be seen.

Why is an EORI number needed for trading?

The customs authorities in the Netherlands and the EU will request any firm that trades products at a port or airport for an EORI number for appropriate registration.

Before applying for an EORI number, you will most often require a Dutch VAT number. Except if your business has filed for a second VAT number, the EU allows your business to have only one active EORI.

EORI number applied for excise tax permits as well

In the Netherlands, EORI numbers have also utilised for companies requiring excise tax permits. The reason for this is that Dutch Customs also grant excise tax permits and are responsible for the supervision on the compliance with the rules of these permits. 

Most often, economic operators who have an excise tax permit also have contact with Customs for international trading reasons. To prevent the use of multiple identification numbers, it has been decided to assign an EORI number to all companies that are granted an excise tax permit.

An EORI number does not have any direct influence in the current procedures (with regard to the excise tax permits). However, in case of any future export, import, or transit of goods, you are required to use this EORI number as a unique identification number in the relevant customs declaration.

How to acquire an EORI number in the Netherlands?

Companies in the Netherlands can receive an EORI number in one of the following ways:

  1. There is no requirement for companies who already have a VAT identification number to apply for an EORI number. EORI numbers can be generated in such situation as follows:

“NL” are the first letters of your Dutch business’ EORI number.

Add your company’s RSIN to the end of “NL”

The trade register extract of your company will indicate your business’ RSIN. Your RSIN/BSN should not have less than nine digits. Add as many zeros as necessary before your RSIN/BSN to get a total of nine digits.

Once you deducted your EORI number, you don’t need to register it with the government in order to use it. When you submit a declaration or ask for authorisation with the Dutch customs, they will automatically check and register your EORI number.

  1. A standard application form can be completed and submitted to the Dutch customs by businesses that desire to apply for an EORI number. Such a request can also be made by parties without a VAT number.

Finally, the European Union’s EORI website will publish the unique EORI number, which will be made available to customs officials in all EU Member States as well.

Get an EORI number via the application form 

The Dutch Customs Administration’s website contains a link to the standard EORI number application form. Email is the preferred method of submitting a request, and the response is usually received within a few hours.

It is possible to apply for an EORI number even if your firm is headquartered outside of the European Union (EU). If you are registered outside of the European Union, you’ll need to submit proof of such foreign registration.