Does Switzerland use EORI numbers?

Yes for cross-border trade with the EU and in linked customs procedures. BAZG assigns CH-prefixed EORI numbers where required.

How do Swiss companies apply for an EORI?

Apply through the Federal Office for Customs and Border Security (BAZG) official EORI guidance.

Is a Swiss EORI the same as a UID?

No. The Swiss UID is a business identifier; the EORI is the customs operator registration used in international declarations. Both may be needed depending on your trade.

How do I validate a CH EORI?

Use the EORI checker when the number is registered in EU-accessible validation systems.

Switzerland EORI Number — Apply, Check & Requirements

Format & example

CH + up to 15 alphanumeric characters for Swiss EORI used in EU-linked customs procedures; Swiss domestic customs uses separate UID/EORI arrangements.

Valid example CH123456789012345

Regex (reference):

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

Check an EORI number EORI format hub

Authority & validation

Issuing authority Federal Office for Customs and Border Security (FOCBS / BAZG)
Processing time Depends on operator type and whether EU-linked registration is required.
Validation method Swiss customs systems + EU EOS where CH numbers are registered for cross-border use.

Check an EORI number

Free validation on our website

Notes & what to watch out for

Switzerland is not an EU member state but operates linked customs arrangements. Swiss businesses trading with the EU may need a CH EORI registered with BAZG, separate from purely domestic Swiss customs identifiers.

If you import into the EU from Switzerland, the EU-side declaration typically uses the importer’s EU EORI.

What is the EORI number in Switzerland?

In Switzerland, the EORI (Economic Operators Registration and Identification) number is the identifier that Federal Office for Customs and Border Security (FOCBS / BAZG) assigns to businesses moving goods across the customs border. It starts with the prefix CH followed by a national identifier — for example CH123456789012345. Customs will not process imports or exports declared in your name without it.

Who needs a CH EORI number?

Any business established in Switzerland 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 country, 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.

How to apply for an EORI number in Switzerland

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 CH 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 Federal Office for Customs and Border Security (FOCBS / BAZG). Applications go through the official portal — depends on operator type and whether EU-linked registration is required. 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 Switzerland EORI application page

Checking and using your Switzerland EORI number

Swiss customs systems + EU EOS where CH numbers are registered for cross-border use.

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.