EORI Number in Latvia: What It Is & How to Apply (2026)

Unicore Overseas SIA has worked in Riga as a freight forwarder and customs broker since 2005, and every customs declaration we file needs the client's EORI number. Without it, goods cannot be cleared at Riga port or at Riga Airport.

In short: the EORI number is the EU customs identification number. In Latvia, the State Revenue Service (VID) assigns it on request; it does not come automatically with a VAT number. You send the request through VID's Electronic Declaration System (EDS), and VID assigns the number, or refuses it, within five working days. For a company, the number is usually LV plus its 11-digit taxpayer registration code. The 2026 steps are below, and for a first shipment see the three-step first-import list.

What is an EORI Number?

EORI stands for Economic Operators Registration and Identification. It is a unique identification number assigned by customs authorities to economic operators (businesses and, in certain cases, individuals) involved in customs activities throughout the European Union. It's similar to a personal identification code or a company registration number, but with a specific application solely for customs purposes.

The primary purpose of the EORI number is to ensure a unified and efficient identification of economic operators across the EU. It facilitates customs procedures, helps improve security, and combats fraud. Without a valid EORI number, you will not be able to submit customs declarations or engage in other customs activities with third countries (countries that are not EU member states).

In Latvia, an EORI number consists of the country code LV followed by the 11-digit taxpayer registration code (e.g., LV12345678901), so for a VAT payer it looks the same as the VAT number. For a private person registered in Latvia, LV is followed by the personal code. The number is not created on its own, though: VID assigns it on request, so check whether your company already has one before the first declaration.

Who Needs an EORI Number in Latvia?

An EORI number is mandatory for all economic operators engaged in trade with countries outside the customs territory of the European Union. This applies to goods entering the EU as well as those leaving the EU. Here is a more detailed look at who needs it:

• Businesses: All businesses registered in Latvia that conduct import or export activities with third countries. This includes large international corporations as well as small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that, for example, import raw materials or export their products. Regardless of whether you are engaged in Sea Freight Services, air, road, or rail cargo transport, an EORI number is required if the shipment crosses the EU border.
• Private individuals (in specific cases): Although the EORI number primarily applies to businesses, it may also be required for private individuals if they regularly conduct commercial activities with third countries, such as repeatedly importing goods for sale or exporting goods in large volumes. Typically, if shipments are infrequent and intended for personal use, an EORI number is not required.
• Non-EU registered operators: If your business is registered outside the EU but wishes to carry out customs activities within the EU, you will need to apply for an EORI number in one of the EU member states where the first customs operation is intended to take place. In such cases, Unicore.lv can provide advice and support to ensure all formalities are handled correctly.

Important to remember: An EORI number is not required for trade between EU member states (intra-EU trade). It is exclusively for dealings with third countries.

Branches don't get their own number: VID does not assign EORI numbers to a taxpayer's structural units, branches or representative offices, because they are not legal persons. The import or export declaration carries the parent company's EORI number, with the branch's registration number in a separate data field.

When Do You Need an EORI Number?

An EORI number is your key to smooth customs procedures. It is required whenever you or someone on your behalf carries out the following activities:

• Submitting customs declarations: You must indicate your EORI number when submitting import, export, or transit declarations to customs authorities. Without it, your declaration will be rejected, leading to delays and additional costs.
• Applying for customs authorizations or decisions: If you wish to apply for various customs authorizations (e.g., simplified procedures, deferred payment arrangements, binding information on tariff classification or origin), you will need an EORI number.
• Exchanging information with customs authorities: In any communication with customs authorities related to your commercial activity, your EORI number will serve as your official identifier.
• Participating in customs auctions: If you plan to purchase goods at customs auctions held after customs procedure violations, you will need an EORI number.

Imagine you have sent goods from Latvia to the USA using Sea Freight Services. For the shipment to cross the EU border and be processed under the export customs procedure, you, as the exporter, will need to provide your EORI number in the export declaration. Similarly, if goods are imported into Latvia from China, the importer will need to present an EORI number in the import declaration. If the EORI number is not provided or is incorrect, the shipment may be detained at customs, incurring additional costs and delivery delays.

To ensure your shipments always move without a hitch, it's also important to understand other international trade rules, such as the Incoterms 2020 Guide, which defines the responsibilities and costs of parties in the delivery process.

How to Get an EORI Number in Latvia?

In Latvia, EORI numbers are assigned and administered by the State Revenue Service (VID). The procedure is the same for everyone: companies whether or not they are VAT payers, sole traders, and private persons engaged in commercial activity. VID assigns the number on request.

1. Check whether you already have one

A person is assigned only one EORI number, and VID will not assign a second one. If your company has imported or exported goods before, it most likely has a number already. Enter LV and your taxpayer registration code in the European Commission's EORI validation tool. If the company did not consent to publication in its request, the tool shows the number's status only.

2. Requesting an EORI number in VID EDS: the 2026 steps

1. Download the EORI number request form from VID's EORI number page. VID added the latest version of the form there on 30 September 2026, so don't reuse a copy saved earlier.
2. Fill in the form: name, registration code or personal code, address and contact details. State how you want to receive VID's decision, and confirm that you have not received an EORI number before. If you want partners to see your name and address in the validation tool, give consent to publication.
3. Log in to EDS with a secure electronic identification tool: Smart-ID at the qualified level, an eID card, eParaksts (including eParaksts mobile) or internet banking.
4. In "Sarakste ar VID" (Correspondence with SRS), press "Rakstīt jaunu vēstuli" (Write a new letter) and choose the category "Iesniegums Muitas pārvaldei" (submission to the National Customs Board).
5. In the "Subject" field, enter "EORI number request" ("EORI numura pieprasījums"), attach the completed form under "Attachments", then sign and send it.
6. Wait for VID's decision: VID assigns the EORI number, or refuses it, within five working days of receiving the request.

Other ways to submit: a form signed with a secure electronic signature can be emailed to the National Customs Board at MP.lietvediba@vid.gov.lv. A hand-signed form can be handed in at VID, Talejas iela 1, Riga, or at any customs control point, or posted to VID National Customs Board, Talejas iela 1, Riga, LV-1978. The same form is used to change EORI record data or annul the number, and data changes must be reported to VID within 30 days. VID answers EORI questions at EORI@vid.gov.lv.

Processing time: VID assigns the EORI number within five working days of receiving the request (Cabinet Regulation No. 18, point 11). Apply before the goods are on their way. The EORI number is assigned free of charge.

Non-EU companies and private persons

A person established in the EU can request an EORI number only in the member state where it is established (for a private person, the country of habitual residence). A company established outside the EU requests it in the member state where it first carries out customs formalities, and gives its home company-register number in the request. A non-EU private person gives the number of their identity document. If your company's first customs formalities take place in Latvia, Unicore can help prepare the request.

When a private person registered in Latvia declares their own goods, the customs system EMDAS assigns a temporary number automatically when the declaration is lodged, valid for 30 days. A private person who declares other people's goods as a customs representative needs an EORI number.

Checking an EORI number: You can verify the validity of any company's EORI number in the European Commission's EORI validation tool: enter the number with its country code, for example LV12345678901. This is useful for confirming the EORI numbers of partners or clients.

Sources: VID's EORI number page (updated 30.09.2026; the Latvian EORI numurs page was updated 29.09.2026), VID's Electronic Declaration System (EDS) page (updated 07.10.2025) and its Latvian version (updated 18.06.2026), and Cabinet Regulation No. 18 of 3 January 2017 on registration and identification in customs. Checked by Unicore on 5 October 2026.

Common Mistakes and Tips

While the process of obtaining an EORI number is relatively simple, there are still common mistakes that can lead to unnecessary problems and delays. Here are some tips to avoid them:

• Don't take it for granted: A VAT number does not mean your company has an EORI number, because VID assigns one only on request. Make sure your business has an EORI number before embarking on any customs activities.
• Apply in advance: Don't wait until the last minute. Apply for an EORI number well in advance of your first customs declaration to ensure you have it when needed.
• Check for accuracy: Double-check all information you provide in the application. Errors can lead to rejection or additional processing time.
• Understand your role: Remember that as an importer or exporter, you have a legal responsibility for proper customs clearance, and an EORI number is an integral part of that responsibility.
• Partner with experienced professionals: If you are unsure about EORI number requirements or other customs formalities, do not hesitate to seek help. Experienced freight forwarders, such as Unicore.lv, can provide valuable advice and assistance to ensure your shipments move smoothly.

Unicore.lv — Background and Credentials

Unicore Overseas SIA was founded on 13 December 2005 — over 20 years in operation as of 2026. We hold IATA CASS accreditation, IATA DGR certification for dangerous goods by air, ADR for road, and IMDG for sea, and we are members of Marco Polo Line and Lognet Global with vetted partners in 110+ countries. In Shipzy.ai's March 2026 independent benchmark, Unicore was rated #1 freight forwarder in Latvia at 81/100 overall with 95/100 quote quality and a 35-minute average RFQ response time. Our service coverage spans sea freight, air freight, road, and rail.

For EORI applications and customs declarations specifically, our customs specialists prepare EX1 / SAD declarations in VID's Electronic Customs Data Processing System (EMDAS) and screen every export against the EU dual-use Annex I list and EU sanctions lists before booking.

Conclusion

The EORI number is not just another bureaucratic requirement; it is an essential tool that ensures the efficiency and security of the European Union's customs system. Understanding what it is, who needs it, and how to obtain it in Latvia is fundamental to successful international trade.

We hope this guide has provided you with clarity and confidence regarding the EORI number process. If you have any further questions or need assistance with your freight forwarding and customs formalities, we invite you to Get a Free Quote from our experts today. We are here to help your business thrive in the international arena!