Is the HMRC VAT checker free?

Yes, HMRC's Check a UK VAT number service is free to use. You can also use our tool, which is free for basic checks.

How often should I check suppliers?

It's good practice to check a new supplier before your first purchase, and then periodically – for example, annually – to confirm they're still registered.

What does 'target not found' mean?

It means HMRC's system doesn't have a matching VAT number. The supplier may have entered their number incorrectly, or they may not be registered for VAT. You should contact them to confirm.

How to check a UK VAT number is valid (and prove you did)

You check a UK VAT number by looking it up on HMRC's Check a UK VAT number service or a tool built on the same API. Enter the number (GB plus 9 digits); HMRC returns the registered name and address. If you also enter your own VAT number you get a consultation number as proof of the check.

What a valid UK VAT number looks like

A standard UK VAT registration number is the letters GB followed by 9 digits, for example GB123456789. Some businesses have extra digits for branches – these numbers are GB plus 12 digits. You might also see a prefix of XI for businesses in Northern Ireland, which is used under the Northern Ireland Protocol.

If you're checking a number, make sure you have the full number including the prefix. Missing a digit or the country code will give you an error.

Checking a number with HMRC

HMRC provides a free online service called 'Check a UK VAT number'. You can use it directly on the HMRC website or through a tool that uses the same API, like our check VAT number tool.

To check a number, you enter the VAT number you want to verify. If you also enter your own VAT number, HMRC will give you a consultation number. This is a unique reference for that specific check.

HMRC will return the registered name and address for the number, if it's valid. If the number isn't found, you'll see a message saying 'target not found'.

Why the consultation number matters

The consultation number is your proof that you checked the VAT number. HMRC can disallow your input VAT claim if you buy from a supplier who isn't actually registered for VAT. If you have a consultation number, you can show HMRC that you took reasonable steps to verify the supplier.

Keep the consultation number with your purchase records. It's a simple way to protect your business if HMRC ever questions a claim.

Checking many numbers at once

If you have a list of suppliers to check, doing it one by one on the HMRC website is time-consuming. Our check VAT number tool lets you check multiple numbers in one go. You upload a spreadsheet, and the tool checks each number against the HMRC API, giving you a report with the results and consultation numbers.

This is useful if you're onboarding new suppliers or doing a periodic review.

EU numbers and Northern Ireland (XI)

For VAT numbers issued in other EU countries, you use the VIES (VAT Information Exchange System) on the European Commission website. VIES checks numbers from EU member states, but it doesn't cover UK numbers (except those with the XI prefix, which are included).

If you trade with Northern Ireland, remember that suppliers there may have an XI number. Check these using the same HMRC service – it covers both GB and XI numbers.

For more on related checks, see our check EORI tool and the [VAT registration number glossary].