EORI number (Economic Operator Registration and Identification) is a unique number used to identify economic operators and other persons in activities to which customs regulations apply. It is assigned by the competent customs authorities and is unique in the European Union.

This means that all persons (legal entities, craftsmen, associations) who intend to perform activities within the competence of the customs legislation of the European Union (import, export, transit, etc.) must have a previously assigned EORI number.

Economic operators from third countries (i.e. non-EU countries) may register and obtain an EORI number at the competent office in any EU Member State.

Natural persons established in the Republic of Croatia are exempted from the obligation to possess an EORI number when importing or exporting goods for their personal needs.

Shipments via courier operators

Shipments that arrive at us via express delivery (eg Overseas, DHL, etc.) must submit an import customs declaration – which means the cost of the freight forwarder, and since 30.06.2021. possible application of tax relief on shipments worth 22 EUR no import customs declaration is submitted. For all shipments that are cleared through customs, and are submitted through courier operators, the EORI number is mandatory as a condition of customs clearance, unless it is an import by natural persons for their personal needs.

After we have clarified who must have the EORI number, it is necessary to explain where to get it?

The EORI number needs to be requested, and you can do so by first downloading the request for an assignment which is on the website of the Customs Administration, and you can download it here. If the applicant is a craftsman or a person who is not registered in the OIB register, he is obliged to enclose a copy of the identification document with the application.

Thereafter, the application shall be submitted to the competent customs office, by post, e-mail, or in person. The issuance procedure itself takes several days, so apply on time.

You can see the addresses of customs offices for submitting applications for the assignment of an EORI number in the Republic of Croatia here. It is also possible to check the validity of the EORI number on the European Commission website.

The structure of the EORI number for Croatian legal entities consists of HR + OIB.

It is important to note that it should not be confused with the tax number (VAT), which has the same structure and is used for doing business with EU member states, but we will talk about this in more detail in the next blog.

Sources:

• https://plaviured.hr/vodici/internacionalizacija-poslovanja-ishodenje-eori-broja-kod-nadlezne-carinarnice/
• https://carina.gov.hr/pristup-informacijama/propisi-i-sporazumi/carinsko-zakonodavstvo/upute-3514/registracija-subjekata-eori/2486
• https://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/dds2/eos/eori_validation.jsp?Lang=en
• https://gov.hr/hr/kupovanje-preko-interneta-iz-inozemstva/1478