D‑U‑N‑S Number
Learn How Companies Worldwide Use the D‑U‑N‑S Number
One Number, Global Recognition
Most business identifiers are tied to a region or a single purpose—like tax filings or contract bids.
The D‑U‑N‑S® Number is different. It’s a persistent global identifier that gives businesses a complete, trusted view of the companies they work with—anywhere in the world. It powers smarter decisions, from assessing risk and setting credit terms to choosing suppliers and improving data governance—bringing clarity and confidence across borders.
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Identification Numbers
EIN Number
D‑U‑N‑S Number
UEI
D‑U‑N‑S Number as a Permanent Global Identifier
D‑U‑N‑S Numbers are assigned to each location of a business. Once assigned, they are never altered. When and if a particular business location ceases operation, that number is never reassigned. It’s this uniqueness that companies rely on to help them perform their compliance due diligence or make credit or loan decisions.
With your D‑U‑N‑S Number, your company becomes searchable in the Dun & Bradstreet Data Cloud of more than 600 million global businesses.
Outside of the Dun & Bradstreet Data Cloud, your number can be used and displayed differently than it is within it. You may sometimes see your number displayed on company application forms with dashes, but those are just visual differences that may help to promote readability. There is nothing in a D‑U‑N‑S Number that says anything about a company’s stability or creditworthiness.
This difference in display does, however, illustrate that where or how the number is used outside of Dun & Bradstreet may vary.
D‑U‑N‑S Numbers for Developers or Dropship Vendors
There have never been as many opportunities for a business to extend its reach to customers as there are today. A small company can apply to have its products sold in digital marketplaces that reach potential buyers around the world. Some of the world's largest marketplaces ask for a company’s D‑U‑N‑S Number when that company applies to join them.
- Apple, Inc. — If you want to join the Apple Developer Program a D‑U‑N‑S Number is also a requirement to enroll in the program.
- Walmart, Inc. — Want to become a Walmart Warehouse Supplier or Drop Ship Vendor? Enrollment is free, but you must meet strict guidelines and provide your D‑U‑N‑S Number among other corporate information according to the Walmart Supplier Help Site.
- Amazon, Inc. — Amazon also spells out its requirements for dropship vendors online. If you want to sell certain products on Amazon, or you may want to obtain credit from them, your company will be required to submit a D‑U‑N‑S Number as part of your application.
Each of these third-party programs have different guidelines that are not created or managed by Dun & Bradstreet. If you aren’t sure if you need a D‑U‑N‑S Number to access a certain platform or marketplace, check the company’s application standards. Most companies will post requirements for dropship vendors on their website or in an FAQ section.
If you still can’t find the information you need, contact the specific company or marketplace you are trying to join to ask.
Next Steps
Find out if a D-U-N-S Number has already been assigned to your business by using the D-U-N-S Lookup tool. If not, apply for a D‑U‑N‑S Number today. It's free and only takes a few minutes. Get started here.
FAQs on How the D‑U‑N‑S Number Is Used
Use your D-U-N-S Number to review your company profile and see how other companies can view your business. Check to make sure the information is accurate and up-to-date. Request free updates using the [Link]Dun & Bradstreet D‑U‑N‑S Manager[/Link].
You should also check your profile to see if you need to do anything to potentially build your credit file.
Other ways to use your D‑U‑N‑S Number include:
• Raising capital or refinancing an existing loan.
• Requesting credit from another company.
• Applying to become a customer, supplier, or partner of a company or marketplace.
No, there is no requirement that you display your D‑U‑N‑S Number in any particular manner or place. Your D‑U‑N‑S Number is a unique, nine-digit number assigned to your business. No other business in the world can have a number that matches yours. Other companies may use it to help identify your business, and to help make business decisions about whether, or how, to do business with your company.
Your company’s D‑U‑N‑S Number is not an evaluation score of your business. There is no code built into the digits that refer to your credit score, your company’s ESG score or other measure. Nor is there any way to alter a number once issued.
It is, however, tied to your business identity, a dynamic company profile that exists separately from you personal identity and changes as your company changes. Your business profile includes Dun & Bradstreet scores and ratings, including the D&B PAYDEX®, D&B Delinquency Predictor Score and the D&B Financial Stress Score.
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