Tools
EU Registered Exporter (REX) Number Validator
Verify whether an exporter is officially registered in the European Commission Registered Exporter System (REX). Check REX numbers from EU Member States, GSP beneficiary nations, and trade agreement partner countries before accepting statements on origin for zero-tariff customs preferences.
What is the Registered Exporter (REX) System and who uses it?
The Registered Exporter System (the REX system) is a system of certification of origin of goods introduced by the European Union. Under REX, registered exporters self-certify the preferential origin of goods by including a standardized Statement on Origin on commercial invoices or other commercial documents.
REX replaces traditional origin certificates issued by customs or chambers of commerce (such as Form A or movement certificates EUR.1). It is used across the EU Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP), the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA), the EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), EU-Canada CETA, EU-Vietnam FTA, the Overseas Countries and Territories (OCT) decision, and agreements with Switzerland, Norway, and Turkey.
How does a REX number differ from EORI and VAT numbers?
Although a company involved in international trade may possess all three identifiers, they serve distinct regulatory purposes:
VAT / VIES
VAT Number (VIES): Used for tax purposes within the EU single market to report intra-Community B2B transactions, verify zero-rating (0% VAT), and apply the reverse charge mechanism.
Customs / EORI
EORI Number (EOS): Mandatory identifier required by customs for all economic operators crossing external EU/UK borders to lodge import, export, or transit declarations.
Origin / REX System
REX Number (Customs Origin): Specifically authorizes an exporter to issue legally binding statements on origin to grant customers preferential 0% or reduced customs duties under free trade agreements and GSP.
An active EORI or VAT number does not authorize a business to certify preferential origin. Companies must complete a separate registration process with their national customs authority to obtain a registered exporter number.
Why validating REX numbers is essential for importers and customs brokers
When importing goods under preferential tariff agreements, claiming 0% duty based on an invalid or revoked REX number constitutes a customs infringement. National customs administrations (such as Douane in France, Zoll in Germany, Agenzia delle Dogane in Italy, or HMRC in the UK) routinely audit origin statements. If a supplier's REX number cannot be verified in the European Commission central register, customs authorities will retroactively levy full import tariffs, require duty guarantees, impose penalties, and delay cargo clearance. Using VIESAC allows supply chain managers, freight forwarders, and trade compliance teams to authenticate REX numbers in real time and store immutable verification evidence.
Frequently asked questions about EU REX number verification
What is the structure and format of a valid REX number?
A standard REX number consists of a 2-letter ISO country code of the issuing country, followed by the literal REX, and then between 1 and 30 alphanumeric characters (letters and digits) assigned by the competent customs authority. Examples include: FRREX123456789 (France), DEREX000123 (Germany), INREX000123 (India), BDREX123456 (Bangladesh), or CHREX12345 (Switzerland).
Which countries issue REX numbers?
REX numbers are issued by all 27 EU Member States, GSP beneficiary developing countries (such as India, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Indonesia, Madagascar, etc.), OCT territories, and partner countries applying the REX origin scheme (including Switzerland, Norway, Turkey, and Northern Ireland under the EU-UK Windsor Framework). Over 130 countries and customs territories participate in the REX system.
Why does a REX validation return Valid but conceal company address details?
Under European Union data privacy and GDPR regulations, registered exporters have the legal right to decide whether their company name, commercial address, and contact details are published openly on the public register. Even when an exporter opts to keep their address confidential, the European Commission database confirms the operational validity of the REX number and its authorization period.
Can I validate REX numbers in bulk or integrate REX checks into our ERP/TMS?
Yes. If your company processes high volumes of import/export declarations, audits commercial invoices, or requires automated API verification directly inside SAP, Oracle, CargoWise, or your ERP, contact us at support@viesac.eu for bulk processing and API integration.