China USCI Validation
Validate China USCI (Unified Social Credit Code) Online
Verify China's Unified Social Credit Code (统一社会信用代码) format and SAMR registration status for businesses and legal entities registered in mainland China.
Understanding China USCI Format
The Unified Social Credit Code (统一社会信用代码, USCI) is China's 18-character national business identifier, consolidating the former Business License Number, Organization Code, and Tax Registration Certificate into one code.
Auth.
Type
Division
Code
Char.
- ✓ Fixed 18 Characters: Position 1 = registration authority code; Position 2 = entity type code; Positions 3–8 = 6-digit administrative division (GB/T 2260); Positions 9–17 = 9-character organization code (alphanumeric); Position 18 = check character.
- ✓ Issuing Authority: Issued by the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) and local Market Supervision Administration bureaus. Replaced the three-certificate system in 2016.
- ✓ Check Character Algorithm: The 18th character is computed using a weighted modulo-31 algorithm over the first 17 positions, using the character set 0–9 and A–Z (excluding I, O, S, V, Z) to detect data entry errors.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a China USCI?
The USCI (Unified Social Credit Code, 统一社会信用代码) is China's 18-character national business identifier introduced in 2015 and mandatory from 2016. It merges the former Business License Number, Organization Code Certificate, and Tax Registration Certificate into a single lifelong code assigned to every registered legal entity, social organization, and government agency in mainland China. Sign up at Lookuptax to validate Chinese USCIs in bulk via API.
Is USCI validation mandatory for invoices?
Yes. China's VAT fapiao (invoice) system requires a valid and active USCI for both the issuing company and the recipient. The Golden Tax System (GTS) used by Chinese tax authorities cross-references USCIs in real time. Invalid or inactive codes cause invoice rejections and may trigger audits. Lookuptax automates this check — sign up free to get started.
What data is returned on USCI validation?
A successful USCI lookup returns the registered Chinese company name (both simplified Chinese and transliterated name where available), legal representative, registration status (active, revoked, cancelled), registered capital, business scope, and the date of establishment. Lookuptax returns this automatically — sign up free to get started.
How many USCIs can I validate at once?
With the Lookuptax API, you can validate hundreds or thousands of Chinese USCIs in a single batch run, making it ideal for periodic supplier due-diligence sweeps, KYC onboarding pipelines, or pre-payment counterparty screening. Rate limits scale with your plan. Sign up at Lookuptax free to start with your first validations immediately.
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