Summary
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From 1 October 2026, businesses in Germany must apply for, change or cancel their EORI numbers exclusively online via the German Customs Portal (Zoll-Portal); paper forms will no longer be accepted. The Economic Operators’ Registration and Identification (EORI) number is the ID code EU customs authorities use to identify traders and track shipments—essential for any company importing or exporting goods and clearing customs. [meridiangl…rvices.com], [zoll.de]
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The obligation covers applying for or ending an EORI number, applying for or ending a branch (Niederlassung) number, and changes to master data. Its legal basis is Article 6(1) of the Union Customs Code (Regulation (EU) No 952/2013). During a transitional period until 30 September 2026, the 0870 paper form series can still be used; afterwards, those forms are only accepted in exceptional contingency situations where the Customs Portal is unavailable. [zoll.de], [vatupdate.com]
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To use the portal, businesses must register and identify securely via an ELSTER certificate (issued on the company’s current tax number); private individuals may alternatively use an online ID or BundID, and existing EORI holders can use an eIDAS-compliant signature certificate. Because ELSTER processing can take time, German Customs advises setting up an ELSTER account and registering in the portal early to avoid delays around the deadline. [zoll.de], [ihk.de]
Sources
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