---
title: "Validate UK and Non-EU VAT Numbers with VATSense"
description: Validate UK, Australian, Norwegian and Swiss VAT numbers in WooCommerce with VATSense, including as a VIES fallback. Free.
url: "https://wpfactory.com/docs/vatsense-non-eu-validation/"
updated: "2026-09-27"
category: How to
---

# Validate UK and Non-EU VAT Numbers with VATSense

To validate UK, Australian, Norwegian and Swiss VAT numbers, EU/UK VAT Manager for WooCommerce uses VATSense. Go to WPFactory > EU VAT (also reachable at WooCommerce > Settings > EU VAT), Validation sub-tab, Advanced group, paste your key into VATSense.com API key, and save. This is free; you supply your own VATSense API key.

### Before you start

- A VATSense API key from [vatsense.com](https://vatsense.com/) (a free tier is available).

### Set it up

1. Go to **WPFactory > EU VAT** (also reachable at **WooCommerce > Settings > EU VAT**), **Validation** sub-tab, **Advanced** group.
2. Paste your key into **VATSense.com API key** (`alg_wc_eu_vat_vatsense_key`).
3. Save changes.

Numbers for the UK (`GB`), Australia (`AU`), Norway (`NO`) and Switzerland (`CHE`) are then validated through VATSense automatically.

### Use VATSense as a VIES fallback

You can also let VATSense stand in when VIES is unreachable. Enable **Enable VATSense fallback** (`alg_wc_eu_vat_vatsense_fallback`). When a VIES check returns no result, the plugin retries the number through VATSense using the same key.

| Label | Option ID | Default | Free/Pro |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| VATSense.com API key | `alg_wc_eu_vat_vatsense_key` | (empty) | Free |
| Enable VATSense fallback | `alg_wc_eu_vat_vatsense_fallback` | No | Free |

**Note:** for Australian VAT validation, also enable **Allow VAT number input without country code** on the Validation sub-tab.

### Related article

- [UK VAT validation fails](https://wpfactory.com/docs/eu-vat-for-woocommerce/).

### Get more control

VATSense validation is free. Explore the full toolkit in [EU/UK VAT Manager for WooCommerce](https://wpfactory.com/item/eu-vat-for-woocommerce/). [See what Pro unlocks](https://wpfactory.com/item/eu-vat-for-woocommerce/).

Related articles

- [How to Add and Validate a VAT Number Field in WooCommerce Checkout](https://wpfactory.com/docs/intro-how-to-use-woocommerce-eu-uk-vat-numbers-validation-plugin/)
- [Show VAT Numbers in Admin Orders and Reports](https://wpfactory.com/docs/show-vat-in-admin-orders-and-reports/)
- [Add the VAT Number to PDF Invoices](https://wpfactory.com/docs/add-vat-number-to-pdf-invoices/)
- [Payment Methods Based on EU VAT Numbers](https://wpfactory.com/docs/configure-payment-methods/)
- [EU VAT Number Field Settings in WooCommerce](https://wpfactory.com/docs/configure-eu-vat/)