Where do I apply for a French (FR) EORI?

Apply through the official douane.gouv.fr EORI registration page (SOPRANO EORI). The portal explains the required steps and what information you need to provide.

Is the French EORI registration free?

EORI registration is free when you apply through the official customs portal. Avoid third-party providers that charge for services you can submit yourself.

What information is required for a French EORI application?

You typically need business registration details, the legal entity information, and identifiers used for customs administration. Some operator types may require additional information and/or a digital account setup.

How do I check if my French EORI is valid?

Use the EORI checker . For GB numbers, use HMRC’s checker; for EU prefixes, our checker validates against EU services when available.

Do I need to reapply for a French EORI if I move my business?

If your establishment changes, customs may require updates or changes to your EORI data. Keep your business details correct before submitting declarations.

France EORI Number — Apply, Check & Requirements

Format & example

FR + up to 15 alphanumeric characters (EORI prefix + national identifier).

Valid example FR12345678901

Regex (reference):

^FR[A-Z0-9]{8,15}$

Check an EORI number EORI format hub

Authority & validation

Issuing authority Direction Générale des Douanes et Droits Indirects (Douane française)
Processing time Often fast for complete applications, but timing depends on the type of operator and the review carried out by customs.
Validation method EU EORI validation (EU EOS) + official SOPRANO EORI confirmation.

Check an EORI number

Free validation on our website

Notes & what to watch out for

France processes EORI registrations through the official SOPRANO EORI online service.

French EORI numbers follow the FR prefix and are used for customs declarations throughout the EU.

What is the EORI number in France?

In France, the EORI (Economic Operators Registration and Identification) number is the identifier that Direction Générale des Douanes et Droits Indirects (Douane française) assigns to businesses moving goods across the customs border. It starts with the prefix FR followed by a national identifier — for example FR12345678901, and one registration is valid for customs declarations in every EU member state. Customs will not process imports or exports declared in your name without it.

Ces informations existent aussi en français: Qu’est-ce que le numéro EORI · Demander un numéro EORI · Vérifier un numéro EORI

Who needs an FR EORI number?

Any business established in France that lodges customs declarations — or is named as importer or exporter on them — needs an EORI number before goods move. That includes companies, sole traders and partnerships importing stock from outside the EU, exporting to international customers, or selling through online marketplaces that ship across customs borders. Even when a freight forwarder or courier files the declaration for you, the declaration still carries your EORI.

A core rule of the EU system: you register once, in the member state where your business is established — for a business established in France, that means applying to Direction Générale des Douanes et Droits Indirects (Douane française). The FR-prefixed number you receive is then valid for customs declarations in all 27 EU member states: you do not need a separate EORI for each country you trade with inside the EU. Non-EU businesses that first declare in France can also request their EORI there.

Note that an EU EORI is not valid for Great Britain. If your business in France also imports into the UK in its own name, it needs a separate GB EORI from HMRC — see our UK EORI guide.

How to apply for an EORI number in France

Check whether you already have one. Authorities often assign EORI numbers automatically when a business first interacts with customs. Search old customs correspondence or ask your forwarder, and try our EORI checker with your likely number — the format is usually FR plus your national tax or business identifier.
Gather your business details. You will typically need your company registration number, VAT or tax ID, legal form, registered address and contact details of an authorised person.
Apply with Direction Générale des Douanes et Droits Indirects (Douane française). Applications go through the official portal — often fast for complete applications, but timing depends on the type of operator and the review carried out by customs. Registration is free of charge; no official authority charges for issuing an EORI.
Validate before your first shipment. Once issued, confirm the number is active with our free checker so your first declaration is not rejected over a typo or a not-yet-propagated registration.

Official France EORI application page

Checking and using your France EORI number

EU EORI validation (EU EOS) + official SOPRANO EORI confirmation. Because FR numbers sit in the EU-wide EOS database, any of your European trading partners can verify your number too — many businesses run a quick check on new suppliers and customers before the first shipment.

Once active, your EORI appears on every customs document tied to your business: import and export declarations, transit paperwork, safety and security filings, and any customs authorisations you hold. Couriers such as DHL, FedEx and UPS will ask for it before they can clear commercial goods in your name. Keep the exact string handy in your shipping profiles — a single mistyped character is enough to stop a consignment at the border. You can compare your number against the national pattern in our EORI format hub, which covers every country's structure with valid examples.