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Validate Switzerland Tax ID Numbers via API
When building B2B applications that serve Switzerland (Schweiz / Suisse / Svizzera), validating your customers' MWST/TVA/IVA (UID-Nummer) is essential for B2B compliance and protecting your business from tax liability.
The TaxID API provides instant format validation and live lookup for Switzerland MWST/TVA/IVA numbers via ESTV/AFC/AFC (Swiss Federal Tax Administration). Every request returns the validation status with sub-100ms response times for cached results.Switzerland applies a standard rate of 8.1% (MWST/TVA/IVA).
QUICK START
curl -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \ http://localhost:3000/api/v1/validate/CH/CHE-123.456.789
Code examples
Choose your language. Every example validates a Switzerland VAT number and returns the registration status with company details.
const res = await fetch('http://localhost:3000/api/v1/validate/CH/CHE-123.456.789', {
headers: { 'Authorization': 'Bearer YOUR_API_KEY' }
});
const data = await res.json();
// { valid: true, status: "active", company_name: "...", country_code: "CH", cached: false }
console.log(data);When to validate Switzerland tax ID numbers
B2B invoicing and accounts payable
When issuing or receiving invoices from Switzerland businesses, validating the MWST/TVA/IVA (UID-Nummer) ensures the identifier is genuine before committing the transaction to your ERP. Invalid or fabricated tax IDs are a leading vector for invoice fraud and can result in rejected filings or audit penalties.
SaaS and e-commerce checkout
If your platform serves Switzerland business customers, collecting and validating their MWST/TVA/IVA (UID-Nummer) at checkout is required for accurate tax treatment, correct invoicing, and downstream reporting. An invalid tax ID at the point of sale creates a correction burden across your finance stack.
Supplier and marketplace onboarding
For procurement platforms and regulated marketplaces onboarding Switzerland sellers or vendors, validating the MWST/TVA/IVA (UID-Nummer) at registration prevents fraudulent or duplicate accounts from entering your ecosystem. Validate once at onboarding, then re-validate periodically to detect deregistrations or changes.
About Switzerland VAT format (MWST/TVA/IVA)
Switzerland raised its VAT rate from 7.7% to 8.1% (standard) in January 2024. Swiss UID numbers follow the format CHE-XXX.XXX.XXX and are validated through the BFS UID register. Switzerland is not an EU member, so VIES does not apply.
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Country code | CH |
| Local name | MWST/TVA/IVA (UID-Nummer) |
| Format | CHE- + 3 digits + . + 3 digits + . + 3 digits |
| Regex pattern | ^CHE-[0-9]{3}\.[0-9]{3}\.[0-9]{3}$ |
| Example | CHE-123.456.789 |
| VIES supported | No |
VAT rates in Switzerland
Switzerland applies a standard MWST/TVA/IVA rate of 8.1%. Reduced rates of 2.6% and 3.8% apply to essential goods and services.
| Rate type | Percentage | Currency |
|---|---|---|
| Standard rate | 8.1% | CHF |
| Reduced rate | 2.6% | CHF |
| Reduced rate | 3.8% | CHF |
Frequently asked questions
What is the Switzerland tax ID number format?
Switzerland tax ID numbers (MWST/TVA/IVA (UID-Nummer)) follow the format: CHE- + 3 digits + . + 3 digits + . + 3 digits. A valid example is CHE-123.456.789. The TaxID API validates the format locally and where possible checks against the ESTV/AFC/AFC (Swiss Federal Tax Administration), ensuring you only accept properly registered businesses.
Should I validate MWST/TVA/IVA numbers when transacting with Switzerland businesses?
Validating MWST/TVA/IVA numbers reduces fraud risk, prevents invalid identifiers from entering your accounting system, and is required by many B2B contracts and procurement platforms. While mandatory rules vary by jurisdiction, validating at onboarding is widely considered best practice — especially for SaaS, marketplace, and fintech platforms with global customer bases.
What is the standard tax rate in Switzerland?
The standard tax rate in Switzerland is 8.1% (MWST/TVA/IVA). Reduced rates of 2.6% and 3.8% apply to certain goods and services such as food, books, and medical supplies. The TaxID API's /rates endpoint returns all current rates for programmatic access.
How long does Switzerland tax ID validation take with TaxID?
For cached results (previously validated in the last 24 hours), the TaxID API responds in under 10ms. Format validation is instantaneous. For uncached requests requiring a live lookup against ESTV/AFC/AFC (Swiss Federal Tax Administration), response time is typically 100–500ms. Valid numbers are cached for 24 hours; invalid numbers are cached for 1 hour.
How does the TaxID API validate Switzerland MWST/TVA/IVA numbers?
The TaxID API validates Switzerland MWST/TVA/IVA numbers in two steps: first it checks the format against the official pattern (CHE- + 3 digits + . + 3 digits + . + 3 digits), then it queries ESTV/AFC/AFC (Swiss Federal Tax Administration) where a live API is available. Switzerland raised its VAT rate from 7.7% to 8.1% (standard) in January 2024. Swiss UID numbers follow the format CHE-XXX.XXX.XXX and are validated through the BFS UID register. Switzerland is not an EU member, so VIES does not apply.
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