I have an order from RoI and they have provided their VAT number, which is in the format of IE99999999.

I have entered their vat number into the following website, which I use for validating the VAT numbers (and it hasn't failed before).

http://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/vies/vieshome.do?selectedLanguage=EN

But this time it says the number is invalid. In the help section it says the correct format is -

IE-Ireland IE9S99999L (1 block of 8 characters), where

9: A digit
X: A letter or a digit
S: A letter; a digit; "+" or "*"
L: A letter

So, does anyone know what the correct format for RoI is? The customer seems to think their code is correct but shows as invalid and doesn't match the suggested format. But maybe the website is wrong?
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Unlikely. Ring the HMRC helpline and give them the VAT number and they will confirm if it is valid or not...
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IE-Ireland IE9S99999L (1 block of 8 characters) sounds correct.

All the ones I've delt with have a letter at the end, ask your customer to double check their number.

Mason
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see this:

EU VAT registration checker

http://customs.hmrc.gov.uk/channelsPortalWebApp/channelsPortalWebApp.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=pageVAT_RatesCodesTools&propertyType=document&columns=1&id=HMCE_MIG_009920
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The website VAT number checkers are the same: HMRC's leads to Europa's, which draws on the VIES system.

Best advice is to contact the client, explain that their number is in the wrong format and politely ask for their correct VAT registration number.

If they cannot give you a correct VAT registration number, you might want to ask yourself why it is not correct (is it a fraud?).

Alternatively, you might be able to make supplies without their VAT registration number. if you supply certain services, you only need to hold eveidence your customer is "in business". Do contact me if you need more on this.

One question, please don't be offended. There's no chance the number is non-Irish is there? Numerous times a fax has blurred an E to an I. For example, Estonia is "EE", Greece is "EL" (though these both have 9 digits).

But most likely is that somebody at RoI typed the number incorrectly (are there any double digits?). The best way to check is to say that compliance procedure require that you hold a copy of their VAT registration certificate, if that isn't too much trouble for them.

Hope it helps & good luck!
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thanks everyone. I called HMR&C and they said the same as the website (invlaid format, must end in a letter).

So I typed in 8 digit customer number again but changed the 1 at the end to an I - and it validated just fine and displayed the customers name.

So I have contact the customer and informed them of their correct vat number...
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If you fill out your EU Sales list by hand make sure you underline the I as you might get it returned to you, I've had that a couple of times with I's & S's being mistaken for 1's & 5's.

Mason
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