IDENTIFIER
18 characters
A Unified Social Credit Code is an 18-character identifier for a registered Chinese legal entity.
USCC GUIDE
What is a China USCC—and how can buyers get it?
The Unified Social Credit Code (USCC) is an 18-character identifier for a registered Chinese legal entity. Start with this identity anchor, then use it to check the supplier before payment.
What is a China USCC—and how can buyers get it?
PRIMARY SOURCE
Chinese business licence
The code is usually shown on the supplier’s Chinese business licence.
DECISION USE
Exact entity matching
It helps compare the company in your documents with one registered legal subject.
What is a USCC?
The Unified Social Credit Code identifies one registered Chinese legal entity and is usually printed on the company’s Chinese business licence. It gives an overseas buyer a stable identity to check across supplier documents and public records.
A USCC is not a credit score or a guarantee of supplier quality. It confirms the identity anchor for the review; it does not prove factory ownership, current capacity, product quality, or future delivery performance.
Four practical ways to get and verify a USCC
- 01
Start with ChinVerify—the simplest route
Search the supplier’s English or Chinese name on ChinVerify. This is often the simplest way to identify the likely registered company and locate its 18-character USCC. Treat the result as a starting point, then compare it with the supplier’s business licence, quotation, contract, invoice, and payment details.
- 02
Ask the supplier for the Chinese business licence
Request a clear photo or scan and ask the supplier to confirm the Chinese legal company name, Unified Social Credit Code, registered address, legal representative, business scope, and payment account name. The USCC is normally printed on the licence. If possible, ask for a formal document bearing the company seal.
- 03
Use clear Chinese wording when you ask
请提供贵公司的中国营业执照清晰扫描件或照片，并告知完整的18位统一社会信用代码。 Please provide a clear scan or photo of your Chinese business licence and the complete 18-character Unified Social Credit Code. 请确认营业执照上的中文法定公司名称、注册地址、法定代表人和经营范围。 Please confirm the Chinese legal company name, registered address, legal representative, and business scope shown on the licence.
- 04
If you only have an English name or platform profile
Search the exact Chinese legal name or USCC in China’s official enterprise registry or another Chinese company database. The official registry may be difficult to access from outside China, so ask a Chinese-speaking contact, sourcing agent, or local verification partner to help translate the licence and check the registration record. Alibaba, 1688, and Global Sources can provide useful clues, but their company profiles should not replace independent verification.
What a USCC cannot prove by itself
A valid USCC does not prove that the company owns a factory, has current production capacity, will meet your specifications, or will deliver reliably. It also does not make every website, salesperson, bank account, or related company part of the same legal entity.
Before a material order, match the USCC and legal name across the licence, contract, invoice, and payment instructions. If the entity, region, status, or scope does not line up, pause and clarify before funds move.
Start with the identity that matters
Have the supplier’s 18-character USCC ready? Use it to begin a source-linked MadeSure investigation.