FedEx asking for EORI number

[Purrfecto]

I purchased an item from Poland, took 4 weeks but was delivered last week.

Since then I’ve had two emails requesting a EORI number. Thought it looked suspicious and had never heard of it as don’t usually buy good from abroad so ignored, email mentioned FedEx. It was delivered by TNT, they must be linked.

Had a call today from a lady, again requesting this number, her English wasn’t great so I’m not quite sure why they need this number when I have already the item.
Anybody got any idea?

[Branster]

If you are a business (or even sole trader I think) you must have an EORI number. To do with customs, imports.
Perhaps government gateway website shows a clear link on how to do this.
It sounds like one of these companies acts as an import or clearance agent for you. Which is useful.
There is also the import vat to consider which they can register for you and, effectively, you don't need to pay upfront and claim back anymore. So you don't actually pay it in real terms.

If you are importing for personal use, then you don't need this EORI number.

I'm not saying it can't be fraud. But I wouldn't ignore it.
Google the contact details you have and start from there. I don't know if these 2 companies are connected.
But you would be paying some sort of fee or even a service charge. They're probably trying to get your details to send you an invoice.

[Branster]

Just googled, apparently they work alongside each other tnt and fedex

www.tnt.com/express/en_gb/site/home.html

[NoToLandfill]

You need an eori number now that UK isn't in the EU any more. We left our closest free trade zone. Look up the government website to find out which code you need for your type of goods.

[Purrfecto]

So perhaps a mistake from TNT/FedEx in not getting this number before they have dispatched it and now they need it to send an invoice retrospectively?
Or should company I purchased from have made this clear and got this number before dispatch. This was a one off purchase and won’t be buying from outside uk again. Would have just paid on personal barclaycard if I’d known.

[NoToLandfill]

They should not have sent the goods without the eori number
Just pick a likely code and send it to them

[DelilahBucket]

This is only relevant if the order is purchased by or delivered to a business (people who have items delivered to their place of work can be caught out with this). The average Joe doesn't need an EORI number, but businesses do. It's very easy to get one.