Disclosed is a system for retrieving an EID of a terminal, comprising a Machine Type Communications (MTC) server, a processor of the MTC serbver is configured to be capable of executing programmed instructions comprising: storing a corresponding relationship between an EID of a terminal and a Reference Number (RN) of the EID of the terminal; and when a terminal responds to a trigger request from a Machine Type Communications (MTC) server, retrieving an EID of the terminal which corresponds to an RN according to the RN of the EID of the terminal and the corresponding relationship. By employing the system, the network side can retrieve the EID of the terminal, and use a correct EID to respond to a terminal trigger request from an MTC server.