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How to verify VAT number in South Africa?

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VAT verification on SARS eFiling website​

You can check the validity of a VAT number on the SARS eFiling website for free. You can access the VAT lookup service here. This lookup tool also supports search by Trading Name.

To verify a South African VAT number:

  1. Go to the SARS eFiling VAT Vendor Search.
  2. Enter the 10-digit VAT registration number (e.g. 4480152117) or the trading name.
  3. Submit — results appear immediately.
VAT lookup
VAT lookup

Example VAT: 4480152117, 4720285933

A successful verification of the VAT on the SARS eFiling VAT lookup tool will return the following details:

  • VAT Trading Name
  • VAT Registration Number
  • Office
Successful VAT Verification on sarsefiling website
Successful VAT Verification

SARS Government Notice R.7811 (Government Gazette No. 55190, 14 August 2026), issued under section 74(3)(a) of the VAT Act, doubled the VAT-exempt traveller and crew allowance thresholds in item 407 of Schedule 1 to the Act: the general traveller exemption rose from R5,000 to R10,000 and the additional-goods exemption from R20,000 to R40,000 (item 407.02/00.00/01.00 and .02.00 respectively), while the ship/aircraft crew allowance under note 5 rose from R700 to R1,400 and from R2,000 to R4,000. These are import-relief thresholds for individual travellers and crew, separate from VAT vendor registration — verifying a supplier's VAT number on the eFiling vendor search above is unaffected. [1]

Frequently Asked Questions​

What is the format of a South African VAT registration number?​

A South African VAT registration number is a 10-digit number always starting with 4 (e.g. 4480152117). The first digit 4 identifies it as a VAT registration. There is no alphabetic country prefix and no publicly documented checksum — format validation is limited to confirming 10 digits starting with 4. Verify VAT numbers on the SARS eFiling vendor search for authoritative confirmation. [1]

What is South Africa's VAT registration threshold and vendor categories?​

South Africa's VAT rate is 15% (increased from 14% on 1 April 2018). Registration thresholds: Compulsory — taxable supplies exceed ZAR 2,300,000 in any consecutive 12-month period (raised from ZAR 1,000,000 with effect from 1 April 2026); Voluntary — taxable supplies have exceeded ZAR 120,000 in the past 12 months (raised from ZAR 50,000 on the same date). Vendor categories: Categories A and B file two-monthly on alternating cycles; Category C files monthly, and applies where taxable supplies exceed ZAR 30 million in a 12-month period; Category D is six-monthly for qualifying farming enterprises; Category E is annual. [1]

The SARS vendor search shows an "Office" field — what does it indicate?​

The Office field indicates which SARS regional office administers the vendor's account. It does not affect VAT registration validity — a VAT number is valid nationally regardless of which regional office manages it. The office is useful for directing correspondence or audit inquiries to the correct SARS location but can be ignored for standard input tax verification. [1]

Can I claim input tax credits on invoices from a supplier whose VAT number I have not verified?​

Under the VAT Act (89 of 1991), input tax may only be deducted on a valid tax invoice from a registered vendor. An invalid or unverifiable VAT number means SARS may disallow the ITC during audit. The burden of proof falls on the claimant. SARS recommends verifying VAT numbers on the eFiling vendor search — keep a dated printout or screenshot as audit documentation. [1]

My supplier deregistered from VAT — what happens to invoices before and after deregistration?​

Before deregistration: invoices with a valid VAT number are valid tax invoices for ITC. After deregistration: the vendor cannot charge VAT or issue tax invoices; their VAT number is removed from the SARS vendor search. If discovered mid-relationship, verify the deregistration date and reverse any ITC claimed on post-deregistration invoices to avoid SARS disallowance. [1]

What are the mandatory fields on a South African tax invoice for input tax claims?​

A full tax invoice (for supplies over ZAR 5,000 including VAT) must contain: (1) "Tax Invoice"; (2) Supplier name, address, and VAT number; (3) Recipient name, address, and VAT number (B2B); (4) Unique sequential invoice number; (5) Issue date; (6) Description of goods/services; (7) Quantity/volume; (8) Unit price excluding VAT; (9) VAT amount; (10) Total including VAT. Abridged invoices (ZAR 50–5,000) only need items 1, 2, 4–6, 9, 10. [1]

Does South Africa have VAT rules for non-resident digital service providers?​

Yes. Non-resident suppliers of electronic services (streaming, SaaS, apps, digital content) must register for South African VAT if supplies to South African recipients exceed ZAR 2,300,000 in any consecutive 12-month period — raised from ZAR 1,000,000 with effect from 1 April 2026. The e-services regime itself has applied since 1 June 2014. Registered foreign e-service providers submit monthly VAT returns via SARS eFiling. Their VAT numbers are verifiable on the SARS vendor search like domestic vendors. [1]

Did the August 2026 doubling of South Africa's traveller allowance thresholds change anything about VAT vendor verification?​

No. SARS Government Notice R.7811 (Government Gazette No. 55190, 14 August 2026) doubled the VAT-exempt traveller and crew allowance thresholds under item 407 of Schedule 1 to the VAT Act: the general traveller exemption rose from R5,000 to R10,000, the additional-goods exemption from R20,000 to R40,000, and the ship/aircraft crew allowance from R700 to R1,400 and R2,000 to R4,000. This is an import-relief threshold for individual travellers and crew, unrelated to VAT vendor registration or the eFiling vendor search covered on this page — verifying a supplier's VAT number is unaffected. A separate notice from the same gazette, R.7808, amended a different Schedule 1 item — item 412 (import relief for stolen or robbed goods) — and is covered on the South Africa country guide; the two notices should not be conflated. [1]

Recent changes​

  • 2026-08-14 — SARS Government Notice R.7811 (Government Gazette No. 55190) doubled the VAT-exempt traveller allowance under item 407 of Schedule 1 (R5,000 to R10,000; R20,000 to R40,000) and the crew allowance under note 5 (R700 to R1,400; R2,000 to R4,000). (SARS) — see issue
  • 2026-04-01 (enacted; commencement pending) — Taxation Laws Amendment Act 5 of 2026 (Government Gazette 54448), section 48, deletes paragraph 1(v) and paragraph 2 of Schedule 1 to the VAT Act — which, as SARS describes them, are the VAT exemption on importation of goods with a customs value of R500 or less on which no customs duty is payable (and certain printed matter imported by post not exceeding R100) that applied to goods from Botswana, eSwatini, Lesotho and Namibia; it takes effect on a date to be set by the Minister by Government Gazette notice (none located as at 5 October 2026). (South African Revenue Service — GG 54448; SARS VAT Connect Issue 21) — see event

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