2009 saw the implementation of the Economic Operator Registration and Identification (EORI) system across the board for all member states of the European Union. The European Parliament and Council claim that the EORI system is a useful tool for regulating all businesses engaged in trade across Europe, including international firms registered outside of the EU. The Italian Customs Authorities will give the number, which is a special identifying code, to all businesses engaged in the intracommunity supply of commodities. The EORI registration system is structured at the level of each EU member state as well as at the European level to facilitate easy access.
How to get an EORI number in Italy
Businesses that are based in Italy and engage in commercial activity are required to register with the EORI system and apply for it. They must resolve this before beginning their business operations in Italy. Applicants will receive an exclusive number under the Italian EORI registration system, which will contain a maximum of 15 characters and Italy’s national code (IT) before it. To simplify the registration process, it is structured similarly to the Italian VAT number system. All customs declarations made by Italian businesses engaged in trading operations must contain the designated number after receiving it. Italian sole proprietors as well as other operators engaged in import-export activities must adhere to the same regulations.
Italian EORI registration documentation requirements
Before or at the time of the initial cross-border activity, the applicant for EORI registration must apply to the customs agency in Italy (Agenzia delle Dogane). These documents are required for registration:
- a required application forms
- a passport or other acceptable form of identification (for an individual)
- Italian Corporations Register’s company profile (for Italian companies)
- a certificate with the company’s identifying information from the local trade registry (for international corporations)
- a power of attorney and a valid ID, If the application is made on behalf of another person
Requesting an EORI number
The Agenzia delle Dogane in Italy oversees the granting of the number. Applicants must complete a standard registration form, which can be filled out by either natural individuals or legal entities. The application contains details on the applicant, their legal personality type, contact information, and information that has been filed with the Register of Companies. Basic information that applicants should have ready include their country of residence, their VAT number (Italian tax resident), their taxpayer ID number (Italian natural persons), and the name of their company. A different component of the application is solely for natural persons, and it asks for details about the person’s identification (name, address, city of residence, and others). The user will also need to fill out the NACE code that corresponds to the commercial activity they are developing on the form.
EORI’s database
Following the Italian government’s issuance of the number to regional business owners, this data will be kept in a national database. The Central Services of the European Commission, which house the EORI databases from all EU member states, including Italy, are required by law to receive the EORI databases from each EU member state. Only if the relevant economic operators have given their consent to the publication of their information, such as the assigned EORI number, the company’s trading name, or the address of the company/natural person, can the European institution publish such information. The same rules apply to registered economic operations outside the EU that have been given an EORI number.
