Import: Right to Import

The right to import in most countries is easily achieved with few requirements.

The following entities are authorized to make a customs entry:

Registered importers who are holders of a bill of lading;
Licensed customs brokers acting under authority from the holder of a bill of lading; and
A person legally empowered to act as agent or attorney-in-fact for an importer.

Both companies and individuals are authorized to import into the European Union (EU) as long as they are registered economic operators who have an Economic Operator Registration and Identification (EORI) number. The EORI is used in all communications with any EU customs authorities where an EU-based identifier is required, such as in customs declarations. A free online training course on the EORI scheme is available on the EU website at www.ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/eori-economic-operators-registration-and-identification-number-elearning-course_en. To obtain a Germany-based EORI, contact the German Customs Administration by mail, fax, email (antrag.eori@zoll.de), or through its website at www.zoll.de.

A trader who is already established in the EU may also register for Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) status, which enables the AEO trader to benefit from certain simplified customs procedures. (See the Special Provisions page for details.)