What is a duns number?

A DUNS Number (Data Universal Numbering System) is a unique nine-digit identifier assigned by Dun & Bradstreet (D&B) to each distinct business entity. It's essentially a business's social security number.

The primary purpose of a DUNS Number is to provide a standardized way to identify, validate, and track businesses globally. This facilitates information sharing and risk assessment across various industries and sectors.

Key information regarding DUNS Numbers:

• Purpose: To provide a universal identifier for businesses. This assists in credit reporting, procurement, and overall business validation. More information about its purpose can be found here.
• Issuance: D&B is the sole provider of DUNS Numbers. Businesses can usually obtain one for free, especially when required for government contracts or grants. Info on how to obtain a duns number can be found here.
• Usage: Widely used by governments (like the U.S. federal government), large corporations, and financial institutions. They use it to manage supplier relationships, assess creditworthiness, and track business performance. More info on DUNS Number Usage.
• Benefits: Streamlines business transactions, improves data quality, and enhances risk management processes. Allows for better business transactions.
• Accessibility: Anyone can usually use a DUNS number to look up basic information about a business in D&B's database.