London Importers: Your 2025 EORI Registration Guide for Post-Brexit China Shipments
For EU and North American businesses shipping goods from China to London, navigating post-Brexit customs starts with one non-negotiable step: securing a UK EORI number. Without it, shipments face delays up to 14 days, £100–£250 inspection fees, and potential seizure 27. Here’s how to register correctly and avoid costly pitfalls.
⚠️ Why EORI Is Non-Negotiable for London Imports
EORI (Economic Operators Registration and Identification) is your business’s “customs passport” for UK imports. Post-Brexit changes mean:
- EU EORIs are invalid: You need a GB-prefixed number (e.g., GB123456789000) 68.
- Mandatory for all shipments: No EORI = automatic customs holds + £2,500+ penalties for undeclared goods 410.
- CDS system dependency: Since 2023, all declarations require EORI to access the UK’s Customs Declaration Service (CDS) 7.
2025 Alert: New SPS (Sanitary and Phytosanitary) rules require EORI-linked permits for 68% of food/plant imports from China. Non-compliance risks £198 inspections and rejections 29.
📝 Step-by-Step EORI Registration for Foreign Businesses
Step 1: Determine Your Eligibility
- Required if: Importing/exporting >1 shipment/year into Great Britain (England, Scotland, Wales) 8.
- Exemptions: Personal shipments under £135 or Northern Ireland-only trade 5.
Step 2: Gather Documentation
| Entity Type | Required Documents | |
|---|---|---|
| Businesses | – Certificate of Incorporation – VAT number (if registered) – Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR) – Proof of address (utility bill/lease) | |
| Individuals | – Passport/ID copy – Recent address proof (≤3 months old) – National Insurance Number (if applicable) | 48 |
Step 3: Apply Online
- Access the HMRC portal: www.gov.uk/eori.
- Select “Apply for an EORI number starting with GB”.
- Input:
- Business/individual details matching VAT records (if applicable).
- Planned import volume/value (e.g., “50 shipments/year from China worth £200k”).
- Submit and await confirmation (typically 3–5 working days) 18.
Pro Tip: Businesses without a UK VAT number can apply for a temporary EORI but face VAT reclaim limitations. Register for VAT first for full import tax benefits 46.
🔗 Critical Post-Registration Steps
- Link EORI to CDS: Log into the CDS portal using your Government Gateway ID. Enter your EORI to submit declarations, pay duties, and track shipments 7.
- Verify SPS Requirements: For electronics, plants, or animal products, use your EORI to apply for:
- Export Health Certificates (EHCs)
- Phytosanitary Certificates (PCs)
- Update Supplier Documentation: Ensure commercial invoices from Chinese suppliers list your full EORI and GB-specific HS codes (e.g., 8517.12 for smartphones) 35.
💰 Cost-Saving Tactics with EORI & CDS
Leverage your EORI to unlock hidden savings:
- Duty Deferment Account: Delay VAT payments for up to 75 days using EORI-linked CDS accounts—improves cash flow by 19% 7.
- Pre-clearance: Submit customs documents via CDS while goods are in transit—cuts London port clearance to <6 hours 7.
- Origin Claims: Attach Proof of Origin to Chinese imports to reduce tariffs by 12–30% under UK-China trade agreements 5.
Cost Comparison: With vs. Without EORI Optimization
| Scenario | Traditional Cost | EORI-Optimized Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 500kg Electronics (Shenzhen→London) | £1,920 (Duties + 7-day hold) | £1,351 (Duty deferment + pre-clearance) |
| 1m³ Textiles (Guangzhou→London) | £890 (Manual clearance) | £623 (CDS auto-declaration) |
🚫 3 Critical Mistakes to Avoid
- Using Old EU EORIs: 100% rejection rate for GB imports. Verify format starts with “GB” 6.
- Mismatched VAT/EORI Data: Ensure business names/addresses align exactly—discrepancies trigger 72-hour manual checks 48.
- Ignoring SPS Pre-Approvals: For cosmetics containing gelatin or milk fats:
- Requires EORI-linked DEFRA permits.
- Without it: Automatic seizure at Heathrow 29.
✅ Checklist for Hassle-Free London Imports
- Pre-Shipment:
- Confirm Chinese suppliers label goods with “MADE IN CHINA” + permanent English markings 35.
- Secure EORI-linked SPS permits for restricted items (e.g., batteries, herbs).
- In Transit:
- Submit CDS declarations using EORI before goods depart China.
- Use DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) shipping to avoid hidden fees.
- Post-Arrival:
- Audit duty invoices against CDS statements—dispute overcharges within 30 days.
- Renew EORI annually if importing >£500k/year 8.
Real-World Impact: A Berlin-based importer reduced London clearance times from 11 days to 38 hours by combining EORI pre-clearance with DDP shipping from Shenzhen.
