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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 (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 #

Get more control #

VATSense validation is free. Explore the full toolkit in EU/UK VAT Manager for WooCommerce. See what Pro unlocks.