EU VAT guide
INVALID_INPUT VIES error
INVALID_INPUT usually means the submitted country code or VAT number cannot be accepted by the VIES service.
Common causes
The VAT number may include an unsupported country code, extra spaces, punctuation, or characters that are not part of the local VAT format.
Some users paste the full VAT ID into the number field after already selecting the country code.
Before retrying
Remove spaces and separators, confirm the country code, and check the expected format for that member state.
If the format looks correct but VIES still rejects it, ask the customer to confirm the VAT ID from an official document.
Validating VAT numbers at volume?
Join the batch/API list for CSV validation, retries, audit exports, and developer access.
Related VIES guides
- VIES VAT checkerCheck an EU VAT number in VIES and understand what the response means.
- EU VAT number validationValidate EU VAT IDs and learn when VAT checks matter for cross-border trade.
- VIES consultation numberLearn what a VIES consultation number is and when it can appear.
- VIES errors explainedUnderstand common VIES errors such as MS_UNAVAILABLE, TIMEOUT, and SERVICE_UNAVAILABLE.
- VIES service unavailableWhat to do when VIES or a national VAT registry is unavailable.
- Is VIES down?Check whether the VIES gateway appears reachable and learn what VIES downtime means.