EORI number

7 replies

Dodie66 · 08/03/2021 12:02

Not sure where to post this
I am an artist and sell some of my art. I am not registered for self assessment with HMRC because my income is below £1000 and they said I don’t need to do a tax return. I’ve been reading online that people have to have an EORI number to export items. My question is do I need one for shipping a painting worth about £50 to the USA. Not sure if an EORI number is just for registered businesses. Anybody use and EORI number?

OP posts:

doadeer · 09/03/2021 22:03

I've only used it when invoicing international clients, it's just available on my banking app for my business account. Your bank will be able to help

Original poster

Dodie66 · 09/03/2021 23:09

Ok thanks 🙂

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BiarritzCrackers · 09/03/2021 23:14

I send half a dozen or so items of that value to the USA every week, no EORI. I think it's only really for the EU that some exporters need an EORI, and after some conflicting info from HMRC, it really seems to only apply to scale exporters of goods, not small businesses sending individual purchases direct to customers.

So my take from what I have read and researched is 'no', and everything I send to the USA arrives!

sneakysnoopysniper · 12/03/2021 11:37

I send 95% of what I sell abroad, mostly to the USA. Ive never bothered with a eori number and nothing has ever come of it.

Original poster

Dodie66 · 12/03/2021 12:16

Thanks for your replies. I did contact HMRC yesterday and they said I don’t need one as I’m not a registered business but I could just apply for one in case I needed it which I did. They said it helps to avoid delays at customs

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delilahbucket · 14/03/2021 16:03

It's mostly the EU you need it for (I never used mine prior to Brexit for sending all over the world) although I have mine on my postal account so it goes with every package. It is nothing to do with your bank, I think that poster is confusing it with an IBAN.
You do need to be registered as self employed to get one though as you need your Unique Taxpayers Reference (UTR).
There may come a point where you have to have one to send abroad as a business, especially as you will be filling in a customs declaration where taxes may be due.

Original poster

Dodie66 · 15/03/2021 16:48

I applied and got one without a UTR. All I had to put in was my NI number. It didn’t say i had to be registered as self employed. I will have to register if I earn over £1000
Thanks for all your help

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Flip