A seven digit customs number (e.g.: 1234567) is issued centrally by the Federal Customs Administration to participants in processes with IT support or approval processes of the Federal Office for Economic and Export Control (BAFA) or the Federal Institute for Agriculture and Nutrition (BLE9) or who regularly submit customs registrations. It is used as a system or identification number, under which the address data of the participant, the approvals issued to him and the network connections at his disposal, taking data protection into consideration, are gathered and thus serves the customs office as information and help. Furthermore, it is required as evidence of the import turnover tax as determined in the IT special procedure ATLAS paperless for the tax office. Customs registrations without a customs number will no longer be accepted.¹
¹ Source: www.zoll-d.de / homepage of the German Customs Administration