UK VAT & EORI
Number Checker
Verify any GB VAT or EORI number instantly. Understand what these identifiers mean for your business — and when expert guidance matters.
Valid format? We verify the live status for you. Invalid? Our team investigates.
Official HMRC Verification Services
These are the authoritative government services for definitive VAT and EORI number verification. SJPR recommends using these official tools to confirm live HMRC registration status.
Check a GB VAT Number
tax.service.gov.uk/check-vat-number/enter-vat-details
Check a GB EORI Number
gov.uk/check-eori-number
Disclaimer: In preparing and maintaining this section of our website every effort has been made to ensure the content is up to date and accurate. However, the law and regulations change continually and unintentional errors can occur and the information may be neither up to date nor accurate. We make no representation or warranty (including liability towards third parties), express or implied, as to the accuracy, reliability or completeness of the information on the website. Please don't act directly on anything you read — contact us first for advice on how it may affect your individual circumstances.
Understanding the Numbers
What are VAT & EORI numbers
— and why do they matter?
Whether verifying a supplier, preparing for international trade, or managing your own compliance — understanding these identifiers is fundamental to operating in the UK market.
Value Added Tax
VAT Number
A unique identifier issued by HMRC when a business registers for VAT. Confirms a business is authorised to charge VAT and reclaim input tax on purchases.
- Format: GB followed by 9 digits (e.g. GB 123 4567 89)
- Required once taxable turnover exceeds £90,000
- Mandatory on all VAT invoices issued to customers
- Verifiable against HMRC's public register
- Essential for detecting fraudulent supplier invoices
Economic Operators Registration & Identification
EORI Number
A unique reference used by UK customs to track import and export declarations. Post-Brexit, every UK business trading goods internationally requires one.
- Format: GB followed by 12–15 digits
- Mandatory for all UK importers and exporters since 2021
- Required on all Customs Declaration Service submissions
- Linked to your business entity at HMRC
- Free to obtain — applied for directly via GOV.UK
Number Formats
How to read these numbers
Both numbers follow a structured format encoding specific information. Understanding the structure helps identify invalid numbers at a glance.
VAT Format
EORI Format
Common Questions
Frequently asked questions
When do I need to register for VAT?
You must register if your taxable turnover exceeds £90,000 in any rolling 12-month period. Voluntary registration below this threshold can be advantageous for reclaiming input VAT on purchases.
Does every UK business need an EORI number?
Only businesses that import or export goods to/from countries outside the UK. Since Brexit, this includes all trade with the EU. Businesses trading solely in services or within the UK do not require one.
Why verify a supplier's VAT number?
To protect your business from VAT fraud. Reclaiming VAT on invoices from non-registered businesses is illegal — even if done unknowingly. Verification takes seconds and eliminates significant compliance risk.
My VAT number shows as invalid — what now?
This could indicate the number was deregistered, entered incorrectly, or is fraudulent. Contact HMRC or speak to a qualified accountant immediately before proceeding with any transaction.
Can I get an EORI without a VAT number?
Yes. Non-VAT-registered businesses can still obtain an EORI for customs purposes. It will reference your Unique Taxpayer Reference or an HMRC-assigned identifier rather than a VAT number.
Are EU VAT numbers checked here too?
No. Post-Brexit, UK and EU systems are separate. EU VAT numbers are verified via the EU VIES system. This tool is for GB-prefix numbers only.
Common Situations We Solve
Sound familiar?
These are the exact scenarios our UK clients bring to us every week.
I've received a letter from HMRC about VAT
HMRC correspondence can mean a compliance check, a registration notice, or a penalty. We interpret the letter, advise on your position and respond on your behalf.
VAT Services →My turnover is approaching £90,000 — what now?
Mandatory registration has timing implications most business owners miss. We model your options, advise on voluntary registration benefits and manage the entire process.
VAT Registration →I want to start importing or exporting goods
EORI registration, customs classification, duty planning and import VAT recovery are all interconnected. We map the full trade compliance picture before you move a single shipment.
Trade Compliance →A supplier's VAT number has come back invalid
Claiming input tax on a fraudulent invoice is your liability. We advise on protecting your position, recovering costs and reporting to HMRC where required.
Get Advice →I trade with EU customers post-Brexit
Distance selling thresholds, OSS registration and import VAT rules are all in play. We handle UK-EU VAT complexity end-to-end with cross-border expertise from our London and Lisbon offices.
International VAT →I'm setting up a UK company — what are my VAT obligations?
Structuring your VAT position correctly from day one saves money and prevents future issues. We incorporate UK companies and set up all HMRC registrations as a seamless service.
Company Formation →The SJPR Difference
Global perspective.
Local precision.
Since 2012, SJPR has grown from a UK accountancy firm into a multidisciplinary international advisory powerhouse — with a technology-first approach at its core.
Dedicated Senior Accountant
You work directly with a senior UK-qualified professional who understands your business — not a junior team member or a call centre queue.
Technology-First Practice
Powered by Futura, SJPR's own cloud accounting platform — giving you real-time visibility of your numbers, deadlines and compliance status, 24/7.
Cross-Border Expertise
Offices in London, Lisbon, Dubai and Brazil. We navigate multi-jurisdiction VAT, import duties and international tax as a single integrated service.
Proactive, Not Reactive
We don't wait for deadlines to contact you. Our team monitors regulatory changes and flags risks before they affect your business — not after.
HMRC-Authorised Agents
Registered UK tax agents with direct HMRC portal access
ICO Registered
Full UK GDPR compliance — your data is protected
Two London Offices
Clapham Road SW9 & Skylines Village E14
Same-Day Response
Initial reply within UK business hours, guaranteed
Free Expert Consultation
VAT compliance
shouldn't be a guessing game
Whether you're registering for VAT, dealing with HMRC correspondence, or managing cross-border trade compliance — our qualified accountants provide clear, actionable guidance tailored to your situation.
- ✓Chartered accountants — London, Portugal, Dubai & Brazil
- ✓VAT registration, planning & return management
- ✓Import/export structuring & EORI guidance
- ✓Corporate tax, bookkeeping & company formation
- ✓Same-day response during UK business hours
Speak to an accountant
No obligation — expert advice, tailored to your business
Enquiry received
A member of our team will be in touch within one business day.
Related Services
How SJPR can support your business
Tax
VAT Returns
Accurate, on-time submissions and planning to optimise your VAT position.
Finance
Bookkeeping
Cloud-based bookkeeping that keeps your financials clean and audit-ready.
Legal
Incorporation
UK company formation with full HMRC registration and compliance setup.
Strategy
Corporate Tax
Strategic planning to minimise your liability within HMRC guidelines.
Disclaimer: This tool performs format validation only. For definitive HMRC registration status, always use the official services linked above. The information on this page is provided for general guidance. Tax legislation changes frequently and individual circumstances vary. SJPR accepts no liability for decisions made solely on the basis of information found here. Contact us for advice specific to your situation.
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- 225 Clapham Road London SW9 9BE
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- 020 3371 0292
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