Check an EORI number's structure.
Validate the structure of an EU, United Kingdom or Northern Ireland EORI number and see exactly what a structure match does not establish.
Reviewed EORI structures
| Jurisdiction | Pattern | Example | Live check |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU | ^(?!GB|XI)[A-Z]{2}[0-9A-Z]{1,15}$ | FR1234567890001 | Not available |
| GB | ^(GB[0-9]{12}|GB[0-9A-Z]{15})$ | GB123456789000 | Not available |
| XI | ^XI[0-9]{12}$ | XI123456789000 | Not available |
Sources: European Commission — EORI · HM Revenue & Customs — EORI · HM Revenue & Customs — EORI · Last reviewed 2026-09-14
Questions
What is an EORI number?
An Economic Operators Registration and Identification number is the identifier a business uses when it interacts with customs authorities in the EU or the United Kingdom. This page checks the reviewed structure of the identifier only.
Does a valid structure prove the EORI is live?
No. It proves the string matches the country's authored pattern and, where implemented, its check digit. Only the European Commission or HMRC live lookup establishes that a business holds the registration.
How is a United Kingdom or Northern Ireland EORI structured?
GB-based businesses hold a GB prefix followed by nine or twelve digits; Northern Ireland traders operating under the Protocol hold an XI prefix.
Orientation only. A structure result is not a customs-register confirmation and is not customs or tax advice. The linked authority publication is authoritative, and confirming status requires the relevant customs authority service.
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