Four common identifier families
- Business registry numbers — national registration identifiers assigned by a company register.
- VAT IDs — tax identifiers used for VAT invoicing and validation (VIES).
- EORI — customs identifiers used in customs procedures.
- LEI — financial market entity identifiers (ISO 17442).
Where they appear
- Registry extracts, certificates of incorporation, and official filings (registry numbers).
- Invoices and VAT statements (VAT IDs).
- Customs declarations and broker systems (EORI).
- Financial onboarding, reporting, and trading documentation (LEI).
Practical matching rule
When verifying an entity, start from the document context: invoice (VAT), customs declaration (EORI), registry extract (registry number), or financial onboarding (LEI). Do not assume one identifier implies another.
Next steps (country-specific)
Use the country‑specific pages below for common national numbering systems.
Related pages
Country formats overview | FAQ
