Customs identification numbers
A new tranche of customs identification numbers known as the Economic Operator Registration and Identification (EORI) number is being launched. The EORI number is used anytime a (non-VAT) customs identifier is required.
It has been estimated that the current series of registration numbers will be exhausted by November 2009. A new series has been developed, which will be in the same (9 digit) format as before except that the numbers will now start with a zero (0). The Modulus 97 check which allows users to check that a registration number is valid will also change (and be based on 9755) for registration numbers beginning with zero.
With effect from September 2009, HMRC have allocated EORI numbers with either a ‘9’ or a ‘0’. These and older numbers beginning with digits 1-9 remain valid.
The use of the EORI has been designed by the European Commission to assist in security issues and to make it easier to recognise and monitor business activity throughout the EU.