Shipping from the U.S. to or via EU countries requires EORI and MRN numbers.

As of April 1, 2025, all international shipments going to or through European Union countries, including Norway, Switzerland, and Northern Ireland, must be filed with ENS. EORI and MRN numbers must be included on the Bill of Lading. Watch the short video on YouTube about the EORI number.

ENS (Entry Summary Declaration) is an advanced filing system that the EU has made mandatory for all imports to the EU. A related party must obtain an EORI #, fill out ENS, and provide the MRN # no later than 24 hours before the vessel sails.

***If the EORI and MRN numbers are not provided, cargo will be refused loading onto the vessel, remain on hold, and incur storage charges.***

Carriers can assist you in ENS filing and obtaining an MRN # for a fee. However, when shipping from the U.S. to an EU country, your consignee must apply for and provide you with an EORI #. It is mandatory.

Carriers give you the option of self-filing or allowing them to file the ENS on your behalf for a fee, and request that you provide them with the following:

If your cargo’s final destination is located in an EU Country.

Self-Filing:
Shipper EORI #
Consignee EORI #
Proof of MRN #

Carrier Filing:
$50 Filing Fee Confirmation*
Consignee EORI #
PROOF OF MRN# WILL BE PROVIDED ONCE ENS FILED

If your cargo is transshipping in an EU Country, but the final destination is NOT in EU territory:

Self-Filing:
Shipper EORI #
Proof of MRN #

Carrier Filing
$50 Filing Fee Confirmation*

*The fee is not included in freight quotes obtained online.

To clarify the carriers' requirements above, you should clearly outline the carriers' requirements for shipping to OR transshipping through countries in the European Union.

A. Shipping to an EU country: If your shipment is headed directly to a European Union country, YOUR CONSIGNEE MUST APPLY FOR AN EORI # AND PROVIDE IT TO YOU. They only need to apply for this number once, and they can use the EORI # for all future shipments, regardless of the EU country where they receive imports.

As soon as you get the consignee's EORI #, carriers can file your shipment in the ENS and obtain your MRN number for a $50 fee.

B. Trasshipping via an EU country: If your shipment is not to a country in the EU but with transshipment via an EU country, you can apply for your own shipper's EORI number and file shipments in the ENS for MRN numbers.

Otherwise, if you prefer, the carrier can file it under their shipper's EORI number and get your MRN for a fee of about $50.

Watch this 3-minute video on YouTube about the EU ENS filing regarding shipping goods from the USA to or via EU countries.

This is a guide to obtaining EU EORI and MRN Numbers for shipping goods from the USA to the European Union.

Step 1: Apply for an EU EORI Number

1. Go to the customs website of the EU country where your goods will be entered.
2. Register for an account (usually on their electronic customs system).
3. Fill out the EORI application form as an individual or business.
4. Submit required documents, like a passport/ID (for individuals) or a business registration (for companies).
5. Receive your EORI number via email or in your account (usually within a few days).

Step 2:

Option A. Provide us your Consignee EORI number, and confirm that you agree to pay the $50 sea freight carrier's MRN# filing fee. THEN WE WILL REQUEST THE SEA FREIGHT CARRIER TO OBTAIN MRN# and show it on your ocean freight bill of lading.

Option B. Submit an Import Declaration in the European country to obtain and provide the PROOF OF MRN#.

1. Prepare import documents (invoice, packing list, bill of lading, etc.).
2. Choose how to file the declaration:
- Use the EU country’s online customs system.
- Hire a EU customs broker.
3. Submit the customs declaration, providing your EORI number.
4. Receive the MRN (Movement Reference Number) once the declaration is processed, and PROVIDE IT TO US FOR FORWARDING TO THE SEA FREIGHT CARRIER.

The list of countries that require filing an ENS for international shipping from the USA.

Austria
Belgium
Bulgaria
Croatia
Cyprus
Czechia
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Ireland
Italy
Latvia
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
Netherlands
Norway
Northern Ireland
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland

The list of official customs websites for EU countries where you can apply for an EORI number and submit customs declarations to obtain an MRN (for reference only):

EU Customs Websites by Country

Country	Customs Authority	Sources
Austria	Austrian Customs (Zoll)	bmf.gv.at
Belgium	Belgian Customs & Excise	financien.belgium.be
Bulgaria	National Customs Agency	customs.bg
Croatia	Croatian Customs Administration	carina.gov.hr
Cyprus	Cyprus Customs & Excise	mof.gov.cy
Czech Republic	General Directorate of Customs	celnisprava.cz
Denmark	Danish Customs Agency	toldst.dk
Estonia	Estonian Tax & Customs Board	emta.ee
Finland	Finnish Customs (Tulli)	tulli.fi
France	French Customs (Douane)	douane.gouv.fr
Germany	German Customs (Zoll)	zoll.de
Greece	Independent Authority for Public Revenue	aade.gr
Hungary	National Tax & Customs Administration	nav.gov.hu
Ireland	Irish Revenue Customs	revenue.ie
Italy	Italian Customs Agency	agenziadoganemonopoli.gov.it
Latvia	State Revenue Service	vid.gov.lv
Lithuania	Lithuanian Customs	lrmuitine.lt
Luxembourg	Luxembourg Customs & Excise	douanes.public.lu
Malta	Maltese Customs	customs.gov.mt
Netherlands	Dutch Customs	belastingdienst.nl
Poland	Polish Customs (PUESC)	puesc.gov.pl
Portugal	Portuguese Tax & Customs Authority	portaldasfinancas.gov.pt
Romania	Romanian Customs Authority	customs.ro
Slovakia	Slovak Financial Administration	financnasprava.sk
Slovenia	Slovenian Financial Administration	gov.si
Spain	Spanish Customs (Agencia Tributaria)	agenciatributaria.es
Sweden	Swedish Customs (Tullverket)	tullverket.se

Here are the official customs websites for Norway, Switzerland, and Northern Ireland, where you can apply for an EORI number and submit customs declarations for obtaining an MRN:

Norway, Switzerland, and Northern Ireland Customs Websites

Country	Customs Authority	Sources
Norway (Not in the EU, but part of the EEA)	Norwegian Customs (Toll)	toll.no
Switzerland (Not in the EU, but part of the EFTA)	Swiss Federal Customs Administration (EZV)	bazg.admin.ch
Northern Ireland (Part of the UK but follows some EU customs rules under the Northern Ireland Protocol)	UK HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC)	gov.uk/guidance/eori-number

Notes on These Countries:

Norway and Switzerland are not in the EU but have their own customs regulations under the EEA and EFTA agreements. They do not use the EU’s EORI system but have their own business and importer registration requirements.
Northern Ireland follows both UK and EU customs rules, depending on whether goods move to/from Great Britain (UK) or the EU. Depending on their trade routes, importers/exporters in Northern Ireland may need a UK EORI (GB) and/or an EU EORI (XI).

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