30 November 2020
HMRC have recently confirmed that businesses who import and export goods from Northern Ireland (NI) will need a special Economic Operator Identification Number (EORI) starting with the country prefix of “XI”.
An EORI is a unique customs number that allows businesses to clear goods into or out of EU countries. From 1 January 2021, traders who import into or export goods from Northern Ireland will require this new ‘XI’ EORI number in order to carry on trading as GB EORI numbers will no longer work.
In order to apply for the new EORI number, traders must already have a UK EORI number that starts with GB. However, HMRC have confirmed that they will automatically issue these numbers to businesses that they believe are trading from Northern Ireland with non-EU countries.