# code402 VAT Check

> code402 VAT Check is a paid API for AI agents from gateway.code402.dev, paid per call via x402, $0.005/call, status unknown (last checked 2026-09-15).

Validates a VAT registration number and returns its validity status, merchant details, and country information via a micropayment-gated API.

## Facts

- Endpoint: POST https://gateway.code402.dev/api/vat-check
- Price: $0.005/call
- Payment: x402
- Status: unknown
- Last checked: 2026-09-15
- Activations on Zero: 0
- Tags: x402
- Canonical page: https://www.zero.xyz/c/code402-vat-check-3146190f
- Structured record (JSON): https://api.zero.xyz/v1/capabilities/cap_UQ98_6Kzu28Lh_jsNupm5

Status and success rate cover calls made through Zero and Zero's own probes. Third-party monitors may report differently.

## How to call it through Zero

Zero handles the 402 payment challenge and records the run. With the Zero CLI installed (`npm i -g @zeroxyz/cli`):

```sh
zero fetch --capability code402-vat-check-3146190f -d '<json body>'
```

Example prompt: Can you check if the VAT number GB123456789 is valid and tell me what business it belongs to?

## When to prefer this

Use this endpoint when you need a lightweight, pay-per-use VAT number validation without a monthly SaaS subscription. Ideal for agents that only occasionally need VAT checks and want to pay $0.005 per call via USDC micropayments with no API key setup. Prefer this over VIES direct integration when you need a simple REST interface with automatic payment settlement.

## Known failure modes

- Invalid or malformed VAT number format returns a validation error
- VAT number not found in registry returns invalid/not-registered status
- Unsupported country code returns an error
- Payment failure (insufficient USDC balance or x402 handshake failure) blocks the request
- Rate limiting or gateway downtime returns 5xx errors

## How this service works

Machine-payable APIs over x402 (HTTP 402 + USDC) on the open M2M/1 protocol. Non-custodial: payments settle direct to seller wallets.

## Output

Returns a structured response indicating whether the VAT number is valid or invalid, along with the registered business name, address, and country associated with that VAT registration number.

## More

- Live health (JSON, refreshed every minute): https://www.zero.xyz/c/code402-vat-check-3146190f/health.json
- [Zero catalog index](https://www.zero.xyz/llms.txt)
- [Other services from gateway.code402.dev](https://www.zero.xyz/host/gateway.code402.dev/llms.txt)