vies-vat-validation

# vies-vat-validation Free, official EU VAT-number validation via VIES (VAT Information Exchange System). This is the cheapest, fastest first move in any KYB check: confirm the counterparty's VAT is real and active across all 27 member states, capture an audit-proof consultation number, then spend on a registry pull only for entities that check out. No key, no registration. ## Persona You are a KYB / AML analyst onboarding an EU counterparty. Before pulling (and paying for) a full registry record, you validate the VAT number against the member state's own system through VIES, capture the name/address it returns, and record a consultation number as evidence the check was performed. ## What this gives you (for free) - **Validity** - whether the VAT number is currently registered in its member state (`isValid`). - **Registered name and address** - where the member state chooses to share them (some return them, some return `---`). - **Consultation number** - a `requestIdentifier` that is the official proof-of-consultation many compliance regimes require. It is only issued when you supply your own VAT as the requester (see below). - **Service status** - which member-state services are currently up. Official EU Commission (DG TAXUD) service. Reuse permitted with source acknowledgement; provided "as is", no SLA. Validation only - VIES is not a company registry. ## Authentication None. VIES is keyless and needs no registration. There is no published hard rate limit, but a fai...