Recently, many European sellers have noticed that French EORI application, switching, and usage seem to be getting stuck. And now this is happening right during the stocking period before the European peak season.

On one side, French Customs is upgrading the EORI system; on the other, Amazon has just expanded its import documentation requirements. For sellers that need to ship to France, or even enter multiple European countries through Pan-EU, EORI is becoming stricter.

1. Why has French EORI suddenly become more difficult?

One core reason is that France is moving from EORI SIRET to EORI SIREN. In the past, French companies could use:

EORI SIRET: FR + SIRET

EORI SIREN: FR + SIREN

French Customs is currently promoting unified use of EORI SIREN.

French Customs has made it clear that EORI SIREN has been available since April 2023, and is already required in EU-level customs procedures. The old EORI SIRET will be gradually phased out in the second half of 2026, with the specific switchover time to be announced in advance by French Customs.

At the same time, France is also advancing its new import declaration system, DELTA IE, this year. According to an update from French Customs on September 21, the system is still being revised and upgraded, and several customs declaration validation rules were added or adjusted in September.

In addition, Amazon did expand its import documentation requirements from September 1: for non-EU sellers using Pan-EU, the relevant shipments received by EU fulfillment centers all require import details to be submitted. If a valid MRN + EORI is missing, once the 60-day period is reached, it may affect the future creation of shipments to EU fulfillment centers.

In other words, the EORI system switch + import system upgrade + Amazon’s expanded import documentation requirements have collided exactly with the European peak-season stocking period. This is why sellers have recently clearly felt that French import documentation review has become more complicated.

2. What exactly does French Customs require in the French EORI upgrade?

Type 1: French local companies

If a company is established in France and has a French SIREN/SIRET, the French EORI usually corresponds to the company’s SIREN or SIRET.

French Customs is now clear: EORI SIREN = FR + SIREN. The previous EORI SIRET = FR + SIRET is still in transitional use, but France is switching to the unified EORI SIREN model.

Type 2: Companies from other EU countries

If a company is already established in another EU member state, it should generally register for EORI in its country of establishment.

French Customs has made it clear that companies that already hold an EORI from another EU member state usually do not need to apply again for a separate French EORI.

Type 3: Non-EU companies such as Chinese companies

If a company is not established in the EU but needs to carry out customs operations in France for the first time, it may need to apply for a French EORI according to the actual import arrangement.

French Customs stipulates that if a non-EU company clears customs in France and has not previously obtained an EORI in another EU member state, it can apply through French Customs’ SOPRANO EORI application.

3. What should affected sellers do now?

Step 1: First check whether you already have an EORI

Do not reapply simply because an application failed. First check in the French Customs/EU official system whether your existing EORI is valid.

In particular, sellers who previously obtained a French EORI should confirm whether they actually hold an EORI SIRET or an EORI SIREN, because France is currently switching between the two systems.

Step 2: Confirm who the actual importer is

Separate the seller entity, Importer of Record, declaration entity, customs broker, and EORI.

In the import details Amazon currently requires, the information may involve the seller’s own EORI or its customs broker’s EORI. Amazon also clearly states that the MRN can be obtained from the logistics provider/customs broker, while the EORI must be a valid number for the seller or its customs representative.

Step 3: Match the MRN with the EORI

Amazon has already required relevant non-EU sellers to provide: MRN + EORI.

In particular, from September 1, 2026, the import documentation requirements for Pan-EU-related shipments will be further expanded. For eligible shipments, if valid import details are still missing within 60 days after the first shipment arrives at the fulfillment center, sellers may be unable to continue creating new shipments to EU fulfillment centers. Do not wait until Amazon’s backend shows a restriction before supplementing them.

Step 4: Sellers shipping to France soon

Before peak season, check EORI validity + MRN retrieval method + IOR identity + customs declaration documents + Amazon backend import details. Review all of them.

Final note:

France is going through the transition from EORI SIRET to EORI SIREN, while also dealing with import system reform and upgraded Amazon import documentation requirements.

For European peak-season sellers, if goods have already been shipped and only then you discover that the importer entity, EORI, or MRN does not match, handling it will become very passive.

Sellers should check now the goods currently being stocked in European warehouses and the shipments to be sent soon, especially French FBA and Pan-EU shipments.

The above is the content shared by Yiju Overseas. Feel free to leave comments and join the discussion at any time!