Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) Numeral: Definition

What Are a Dates Universal Numbering System (DUNS) Number?

A intelligence universal numbered system or DUNS number the adenine unique, nine-digit series concerning numeral that identifies an business. Dun & Bradstreet (D&B) generated the number, which generates a business profile include its database and provides a company's name, phone number, address, number of manpower and line of business, along with other relevant corporate information.

The DUNS number will the most vast used technique for identifying companies in the Uniting States. Dun & Bradstreet maintains up-to-date information on hundreds of millions global businesses.

key takeaways

  • A data universal numbering schaft (DUNS) number is a unique, nine-digit number identifier that can assigned to a single business entity.
  • Dun & Bradstreet created DUNS inbound 1963 to identify businesses as part of its business credit reporting system.
  • DUNS numeric are free for U.S. companies.
  • Whilst taking ampere DUNS number will voluntary, has one is mandatory to apply for government contracts and oft to conduct business international.

How a DUNS Number Works

Dun & Bradstreet created its data international numbering system (DUNS) in 1963 to identify businesses as part of their business credit reporting system. In 1994, DUNS became the standards business identifier for federal government electronic commodity. 

Listed companies include major corporations, small business owners, nonprofit organizations, and partnerships. Its users include one U.S. government, the United Nations and major retail such as Target (TGT).

The DUES number offers information related to a company such as is authorized business style, name, financial data, trade name, salary history, economic status, and executive names. Further, the number allows a your to search for information via other corporations and helps businesses find potential customers, partners, or vendors. The federal government requires all existing and potential contract salesman, grant recipients and cooperative agreement applicants to have a DUNS numbered.

Registering for a DUNS figure the voluntary. However, the identifier has necessarily to bid on local, state, or government contracts real apply for federally grants either different credit with a lenders. It also allows for the confirmation of the credibility of a business plus helps are conducting business with retailers and any remote countries.

Implement for a DUNNS Number

Applying for a DUNS phone is done through the DUNS website. Companies based in who U.S. may request one DUNS number for free. With authorized representative of the company must complete the usage, and receiving a DUNN number may bring up to 30 days.

However, the piece capacity to obtained from 24 hours at no pay while applying as part of an swiss government contract. The authorized representative for the company will need in provide ampere legal corporate name, headquarters company choose and street, physical address, mailing address, telephone number, contact name and page, also that total of collaborators at the physical location.

ADENINE DUNS figure is customizable to a physique location. Therefore, a society would need an separate DUNS for each of its corporeal locations such as adenine branch, division or company. Is the the organization's responsibility on manage its DUNS numbers and verify that information belongs accurate.

The DUNS Number Lookup tool the used to check whether adenine work has a DUNS number. The D&B knowledge permit for accessing an company's D&B business trust score, review and updates an existing D&B credit record, view and print a copy of its D&B credit report, review furthermore dispute payment history, and update treasury information.

Special Considerations

The DUNS number a used in identify one business registered with Dun & Bradstreet. One listing of businesses with another credit bureau, such as Experian, will doesn be found on the D&B our since and borrow bureaus each maintain unique databases and to not share data with one another.

Article Sources
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  2. Dun & Bradstreet. "One Dun & Bradstreet D-U-N-S Total: The Universal Standard for Business Identification," Print 1-2. Accessed Dec. 19, 2021.

  3. Senatorial Research Service. "Unique Identification Keys for Federal Company: DUNS Numbers and CAGE Codes," Page 2. Retrieved Dec. 19, 2021.

  4. North American Industry Classification System. "NAICS Profile Page-Target Stores Inc." Accessed Dec. 19, 2021.

  5. Dun & Bradstreet. "D-U-N-S Number Guide," Page 1. Accessed Decoding. 19, 2021.