Belgium EORI number guide (BE)
How EORI issuance typically works in Belgium, what the BE format looks like, and what to prepare before you request an EORI.
Key facts
| Country code | BE |
|---|---|
| Issued by | Belgian customs administration |
| Who needs it | Businesses and individuals that act as an economic operator in customs procedures. |
| Where it is used | Import, export, transit, customs declarations, and EU customs systems. |
| Format | Starts with BE followed by a national identifier. Exact length varies by entity and issuing system. |
When a BE EORI is required
You normally need an EORI when you lodge customs declarations, act as an importer or exporter of record, request customs decisions, or interact with EU customs IT systems as an economic operator.
- Importing goods into the EU under your name or VAT entity.
- Exporting goods from the EU under your name or VAT entity.
- Using customs procedures such as transit, warehousing, inward processing, or temporary admission.
- Applying for customs decisions (for example, AEO or binding information) where an EORI is requested.
How to obtain an EORI in Belgium
EORI issuance is handled through the national customs administration in Belgium. In many cases, the EORI is linked to your national business registration or VAT data.
- Identify the legal entity that will act as the economic operator (company, sole trader, or individual).
- Prepare your registration identifiers (national company number, VAT if applicable) and contact details.
- Submit the request through the national customs channel (online portal or form, depending on local process).
- Keep confirmation records and any reference numbers provided by customs.
If you operate through a Belgian entity, the EORI is associated with the entity used in customs interactions.
Documents and details commonly requested
- Legal name and registered address.
- National registration number or VAT number, if applicable.
- Contact person, email, and phone number.
- Proof of identity for individuals and authorised representatives, if required.
- Power of attorney or mandate when filing through an intermediary.
Validation and common issues
An EORI can be validated using the EU online validation service. Validation confirms whether the number exists in the EU EORI database, but does not confirm commercial status or compliance history.
- Number not found: the EORI may not be activated in the EU database yet, or the number was entered with a formatting mistake.
- Country code mismatch: the EORI must start with the correct two letter code for the issuing country.
- Using VAT as EORI: some countries base the identifier on VAT data, but the string is not always identical to the VAT number.
Use the EU validator: How to validate an EORI number.