In order to try and ensure that businesses are ready to trade post-Brexit, HMRC is automatically enrolling them in the customs system. HMRC has confirmed that more than 88,000 VAT-registered businesses across the UK will be allocated an Economic Operator Registration and Identification (EORI) number in order to enable them to keep trading with customers and suppliers in the EU after the UK has left. The government announced that 72,000 businesses have already registered for EORI numbers and numbers will be allocated to VAT-registered businesses to speed up the rollout of the scheme and help ensure the smooth transit of goods. EORI numbers are a unique ID number allocated to businesses that enables them to be identified by Customs authorities when doing business with other traders. HMRC has warned that if businesses do not have an EORI number post-Brexit, they will be unable to continue to trade with EU Member States. Internet link: GOV.UK news