An EORI (Economic Operators Registration and Identification) number is the single most important piece of paperwork for trade with Ireland. Without it, your shipment will not clear Irish customs. Irish EORI numbers always start with the IE prefix and are issued by Revenue Commissioners.
Who needs an Irish EORI?
You need an Irish EORI if you are:
- A business established in Ireland importing or exporting goods.
- A non-Irish business that wants to be the importer of record into Ireland (for example a Turkish exporter who wants their goods cleared in Dublin).
- An individual importing goods commercially.
If you already have an EORI from another EU member state, that EORI is valid across the Union — you do not need a separate Irish EORI. But in some cases (e.g. claiming Postponed VAT Accounting), an IE-based EORI is still preferable.
Documents you need
For an established business:
- Tax Registration Number (TRN) — usually your Irish VAT or Corporation Tax number.
- Revenue Online Service (ROS) digital certificate.
- Company details and registered address.
For a non-established trader:
- Certificate of incorporation translated to English.
- Passport copy of the legal representative.
- Appointment of an Irish fiscal VAT representative (mandatory in most cases).
- Address details and intended import/export activities.
How long it takes
For established businesses with ROS access, EORI activation can be instantaneous — sometimes within an hour of submitting the request. For non-established traders, expect 3–5 working days assuming all documents are in order. Revenue can request additional evidence, which extends the timeline.
What happens after registration
Once your EORI is active, you can:
- Lodge import declarations in AIS (Automated Import System).
- Lodge export declarations in AES (Automated Export System).
- Apply for a Comprehensive Customs Guarantee (CCG).
- Activate Postponed VAT Accounting on your VAT3 returns.
Common mistakes
The biggest mistake we see is submitting an EORI application before resolving the VAT registration question. If your business needs to register for Irish VAT (above the distance-selling threshold, or because you are storing stock in Ireland), do that in parallel — not after — to avoid weeks of delay.
If you need help with the application or with non-established trader registration, contact us for a quick quote.