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<p>UK traders that only trade with the EU will need an EORI number in the event the
UK leaves the EU without a deal. HMRC estimated that in 2017 there were 144,000 VAT-registered
traders that only traded with the EU. A separate estimate indicates there are approximately
100,000 non VAT-registered traders that trade only with the EU. The latest HMRC validated
data shows that in the three months to 1 March 2019, which covers the period from
the start of the business readiness campaign, there were 53,098 registrations for
an EORI number, and numbers are growing each week.</p><p> </p><p>As HMRC only holds
information on UK-EU traders that are VAT-registered, a large population of traders
would not automatically receive an EORI number if they were automatically generated.
Providing numbers for some traders that needed it, but not all, would send mixed messages
about whether it was required. Furthermore, the VAT registration details for a trader
can be different from the trading entity that needs an EORI number, meaning automated
registration could result in registering the wrong entity.</p><p> </p><p>The Government
has focused on ensuring the process of applying for an EORI is free and very quick,
it currently takes around 10 minutes. The Government has also recently announced temporary
simplified procedures to make importing and exporting easier. To register for these
simplifications, traders will need a UK EORI number. Therefore, completing the application
is a good first step for traders.</p>
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