Question 1

How do I enter a VAT number?

Accepted Answer

Enter the number with its country code (FR, DE, IT, ES...). We check its shape, then ask the official service whether it is valid.

Question 2

What is an intra-EU VAT number?

Accepted Answer

It is the tax identifier of a company subject to VAT in the European Union. It starts with a two-letter country code (FR, DE, IT, ES...) followed by a national part whose shape varies from one country to another.

Question 3

Why check a VAT number?

Accepted Answer

For a sale of goods or services to a company in another European Union country, the customer's VAT number must be valid on the date of the transaction: the check is part of the evidence to keep.

Question 4

A valid number shows no name or address: is that normal?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The name and address are given only if the country's administration provides them and the company agreed to publish them. Several countries do not provide them.

Question 5

What does "Cannot be checked right now" mean?

Accepted Answer

The verification service of the country concerned is not answering, which happens regularly. This is not a negative answer: the number is not declared invalid. We retry automatically; come back a little later.

Question 6

Can the French VAT number be computed from the SIREN?

Accepted Answer

Yes: FR, then a two-digit key computed from the SIREN, then the SIREN. The key is: (12 + 3 × (SIREN modulo 97)) modulo 97.

Check a VAT number

A whole file?

Through the API

Frequently asked questions