Urgent EU-France Import Changes: New EORI & Delta I System Impact

We’ve got some urgent news for all businesses importing goods to France! Significant changes are coming to French customs very soon that will directly impact your import shipments. Understanding and acting on this information now is crucial to prevent potentially costly delays and disruptions to your supply chain.

New EORI Rule Starts May 31: Your French Partner’s SIREN Number is Now Essential for Imports

Effective May 31, 2025, French customs is implementing a vital new regulation. All import declarations will require an EORI (Economic Operators Registration and Identification) number that is directly linked to the French company’s official 9-digit SIREN (Système d’Identification du Répertoire des Entreprises) number.

Previously, EORI numbers might have been associated with the SIRET number. However, from May 31, 2025, only EORI numbers connected to the SIREN will be accepted for import clearance. This is a mandatory change, and failure to provide a SIREN-linked EORI will result in your goods being blocked at the French border. This can lead to significant delays, potential seizure of goods, and the incurrence of storage costs until the correct documentation is provided.

Expect Significant Import Delays from June 1 Due to the Launch of the New “Delta” I System

In addition to the new EORI requirement, French customs are also switching to the new version called DELTA I on June 1, 2025. This system upgrade is anticipated to cause significant delays, specifically for goods being imported into France. While export and transit operations are not expected to be directly affected by the Delta system itself, the overall customs environment during this transition period may experience some level of disruption.

To mitigate potential hold-ups specifically related to the Delta system launch, we strongly advise you to plan any UK-France shipments to arrive on or before May 30th, 2025. The actual system switch is scheduled to occur between May 31st and June 1st. During this cutover, import declarations might not automatically transfer to the new Delta system, potentially leading to considerable delays for uncleared goods over that weekend. We want to emphasize that while we will do everything we can to manage shipments, the resolution of delays caused by the system transition will largely be outside of our direct control.

Immediate Actions You Must Take: Communicate Urgently with Your French Clients

• Contact all your clients who import goods into France. Clearly explain the new SIREN-linked EORI requirement taking effect on May 31st and the potential for import delays due to the Delta system launch on June 1st.
• Emphasize the urgency for them to verify their current EORI registration and, if necessary, update it to be linked to their 9-digit SIREN number before May 31st. Provide them with information on how to do this.
• Advise your clients to strategically plan their shipments to arrive in France before the Delta system transition on June 1st, if feasible, to potentially avoid initial delays associated with the new system.

The update to EORI number registration is significant and requires timely action. As a carrier, you should take preventive steps now to avoid delays, added costs, and potential customs issues. Without the updated EORI number, your clients will not be able to import goods into France after May 31.

More details and the registration link: French Customs Portal – EORI Registration