EORICheck

GB and XI

GB EORI checker for UK numbers

Use this free GB EORI checker to check whether a UK EORI number is valid in HMRC. Paste the complete number, including GB, into the form below. Read the status, source and check time; business details appear only when published. For an XI number, keep XI: the same form uses the European Commission register.

Search intent

Avoid prefix mistakes when checking UK and Northern Ireland related EORI numbers.

Run a live check

Include the country prefix: GB, XI, DE, FR…

GB numbers use HMRC; XI and EU-27 numbers use the European Commission EORI service (TAXUD). EORICheck is an independent tool and does not issue official certifications.

Source

GB: HMRC · XI: European Commission TAXUD

Use case

Customs, onboarding and shipment QA.

Coverage

Great Britain (GB) and Northern Ireland (XI).

Limit

Independent tool, not official certification.

How to use the GB EORI checker

Start with the full GB EORI number supplied by the business. The checker needs the number, not a company name or a VAT number alone.

  • 1. Paste the full EORI, including GB, into the form on this page. Spaces and hyphens are removed automatically.
  • 2. Run the check and read the validity result, register and check time. A cached result is identified as such.
  • 3. If HMRC returns a business name and address, compare them with your customs or supplier documents. Keep the result with the record you are checking.

Check an XI EORI number (Northern Ireland)

For an XI EORI, keep the XI prefix and use the same form. EORICheck routes XI numbers to the European Commission TAXUD register. GOV.UK also directs XI checks to the European Commission because the HMRC checker covers GB numbers only. Do not replace XI with GB to force a result.

What the GB EORI result means

Read the registration status separately from the company details. A missing business name is not the same as an invalid EORI.

  • VALID: the register confirms the number. This does not prove that the person giving it to you is authorized to use it.
  • NOT VALID or NOT FOUND: check the complete number and prefix with the business before using it in a customs declaration.
  • No company details: HMRC publishes the name and address only when the business agreed to share them.
  • ERROR or service unavailable: the check did not complete. Retry later or use the official checker; do not treat an outage as an invalid number.

GB EORI not found? Check these details first

A failed check needs a closer look before you reject a supplier. Separate an invalid number from an incomplete check.

  • Confirm the full EORI with the business. A company name or VAT number alone is not enough; do not build an EORI by guessing its prefix.
  • Check the prefix exactly as supplied. GB goes to HMRC; XI goes to the European Commission. Do not switch prefixes to obtain a valid result.
  • Read the status and check time together. If the service is unavailable, registration has not been confirmed or rejected; retry later or follow the official source link below.
  • If the register returns not valid or not found, ask the business to confirm the number before using it in a customs declaration. A missing company name on a valid result is a different issue.

Which register answers each identifier

The prefix determines the authority. These routes were checked against the linked official documentation on 12 August 2026.

IdentifierRegisterWhat EORICheck returns
GB EORIHMRC Check an EORI NumberValidity; trader name and address when the business consented to publication.
XI / EU-27 EORIEuropean Commission TAXUD EOSValidity status, source and check time in EORICheck.
EU VATEuropean Commission VIESVAT validity; registered name and address when VIES returns them.

Why prefixes matter

The prefix is part of the identifier. Changing GB to XI, or XI to GB, can turn a real number into a failed validation and delay a customs workflow.

Northern Ireland context

XI is used in specific Northern Ireland trade contexts. If the transaction depends on that distinction, verify the prefix and registration with the counterparty before filing.

When to confirm outside EORICheck

For binding UK customs questions, use the official UK or relevant customs authority guidance. EORICheck is a fast validation layer, not an authority.

FAQ

How do I check if a GB EORI number is valid?+

Enter the full GB EORI in the form on this page. EORICheck checks it against HMRC and shows the status, source and check time. The official GOV.UK checker is linked under Official sources.

What should I do if a GB EORI check fails?+

First check the complete number and prefix with the business. If the result is not valid or not found, confirm the number before using it in a customs declaration. If the service is unavailable, the check is incomplete: retry later or use the official checker. An outage does not mean the EORI is invalid.

Does a UK EORI checker also check XI numbers?+

The HMRC checker covers GB numbers only. EORICheck accepts both GB and XI, routing XI to the European Commission register. Keep the prefix supplied by the business; GB and XI are not interchangeable.

Can I find a GB EORI number by company name?+

This checker needs the full EORI number; it does not search by company name. Ask the business for its EORI first. HMRC may return the registered name and address when you check the number, if the business agreed to publish them.

Why is a valid GB EORI missing its company name?+

HMRC only publishes the registered name and address if the business agreed to share them. A valid result without those details still confirms registration; it does not establish the identity of the person using the number.

Can I use a GB EORI for every EU shipment?+

Not necessarily. The right identifier depends on the trade lane, customs role and current authority guidance.

Why does XI appear in EORI checks?+

XI appears in Northern Ireland related customs contexts. Treat the prefix as material and confirm it when the shipment depends on it.