How can you, as a company or obliged entity, search for the VAT number of a counterparty or customer?

Whether you are a company that has to check whether your counterparty is subject to VAT or as an entity subject to the AML Act, you have to verify if your customer has a VAT status.
How to search for a counterparty VAT number

Searching for the VAT number can be used in operational processes such as:
  • 1

    Claims for which insurance companies must pay and know the amount of VAT that the insured can withdraw.

  • 2

    When you use this check in your CDD/KYC process because you know that you can request monthly or semi-annual VAT returns.

  • 3

    When the fund manager wonders whether the portfolio holder/entrepreneur can recover VAT and should not charge it?


Go to (VIES) EU VAT Information Exchange System

VIES on-web is an online system for verifying the VAT numbers of companies and other organisations registered in the European Union for the supply of goods or services across national borders.
In case of problems, you can always contact the national VAT authorities of each country.
Tip ! Save the control with timestamp in pdf in your files.
Piet De Vreese - Pideeco Network Partner
Piet De Vreese Managing Director
2 comments
  • Pideeco country: PK
     
    Monday 27th of September 2021, 12:16

    This article has proven to be very helpful to me. Articles as such might be much helpful to you to enhance your knowledge base. You shall learn a lot from this.

  • Pideeco country: IT
     
    Monday 05th of December 2022, 10:00

    Grazie Piet! Very practical information

Add your comment

Related articles

Are financial sanctions and embargoes effective in deterring rogue states? Learn the history of sanctions, the pros and ...

Europe Tue 28 February 2023

What is the value of audit trails for financial firms? Learn the different types of audit trails and they can be achiev...

AML Tue 17 December 2019

What are the main EU directives related to money laundering and terrorist financing? This article explains the character...

Europe Wed 15 March 2023

Money laundering and human trafficking are interrelated global issues. Learn the methods human traffickers use to launde...

Anti Money Laundering Thu 15 June 2023
Experts in risk management and regulatory compliance

Pideeco is a consultancy firm providing legal services, business solutions, operational assistance and educational material for professionals in the financial industry.

We are based in Brussels and we specialize in regulatory risk compliance services covering the Eurozone.

Pideeco combines professional Regulatory knowledge and technical expertise to safeguard your business’ reputational and operational risk. Our unique customer-centric approach helps us build strategical and legitimate cost-efficient remedies.

Working with us means reaching out to complementary people, allowing for original thinking and innovative vision.

Our Network Learn more about us