Free tool ยท GB, XI and EU numbers
EORI checker: check an EORI number
Check whether an EORI number is valid and registered for customs. GB numbers are checked with HMRC's public Check an EORI number API, Northern Ireland (XI) and EU numbers with the European Commission's EORI validation service.
Include the country prefix: GB, XI or an EU country code. GB numbers are checked with HMRC, XI and EU numbers with the European Commission.
What the EORI checker checks
- Country prefix: GB for Great Britain, XI for Northern Ireland, or one of the 27 EU country codes. Greece is GR in EORI numbers, not EL as in VAT numbers.
- Format: GB and XI numbers are the prefix followed by 12 or 15 digits. EU numbers are the country code followed by up to 15 letters or digits. The tool checks this in your browser before any register is asked.
- Registration: a live lookup in the register for the prefix. GB numbers are checked with HMRC’s public Check an EORI number API. XI and EU numbers are checked with the European Commission’s EORI validation service.
- Name and address: shown when the trader agreed to publish them.
Answers can come from a short-lived cache. The result always shows when the register was actually asked.
GB, XI and EU EORI numbers
- GB: EORI numbers for customs in Great Britain, issued by HMRC. According to GOV.UK, for a VAT-registered business the first 9 digits after GB are the same as its UK VAT number.
- XI: EORI numbers for customs activities in Northern Ireland. GOV.UK’s own checker only covers GB numbers; XI numbers are in the European Commission’s register, which is where this tool checks them.
- EU: EORI numbers issued by the customs authority of an EU member state, starting with that country’s code. The European Commission updates its register from the national databases once a day, so a number issued very recently may not be listed yet.
When to check an EORI number
- Customs declarations: forwarders and customs brokers check a client’s EORI number before they file a declaration for them.
- New customers and suppliers: check the EORI number of an importer or exporter when you set them up, and compare the published name and address with your records.
- Shipping between Great Britain, Northern Ireland and the EU: make sure the declaration carries the right number, GB or XI.
- Stored numbers: registrations end; check the numbers in your system before large shipments.
Need to check a VAT number as well? Use the free VAT checker.
Check EORI numbers by API
curl -G https://api.vatcheckapi.com/v2/eori \
-d eori_number=GB220430231000 \
-H "apikey: YOUR-API-KEY"
The response has format_valid, registration_info with is_registered, name, address, address_parts and checked_at, and source (hmrc or eu_eos). See the EORI documentation for the format rules, caching and the rate limit for GB numbers.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check an EORI number?
Why does the European Commission's EORI checker say my GB number is not valid?
What is the difference between a GB and an XI EORI number?
Why is no name or address shown?
The register did not answer. What now?
Is a valid result proof of who I am dealing with?
Can I check EORI numbers automatically?
GET /v2/eori. The free plan includes 150 requests a month, and each EORI check counts as one.EORI validation API
Check EORI numbers in your own software
GET /v2/eori checks the format and asks the register for the prefix: HMRC for GB numbers, the European Commission for XI and EU numbers. The JSON answer has the registration status, name and address where published, and the register that answered.
/v2/eori documentation EORI validation API All documentation
150 free requests every month, and each EORI check counts as one. No credit card required.
GET https://api.vatcheckapi.com/v2/eori?eori_number=GB220430231000
{
"country_code": "GB",
"eori_number": "GB220430231000",
"format_valid": true,
"registration_info": {
"is_registered": true,
"name": null,
"address": null,
"address_parts": null,
"checked_at": "2026-10-04T19:04:25Z"
},
"source": "hmrc"
}