Frequently Asked Questions
Clear, authoritative answers to technical, tax, security, and licensing questions.
No. BulkVAT operates zero external servers, databases, or analytics services.
BulkVAT executes directly inside your Google Sheets environment via Google Apps Script (V8). All network requests for VIES validation travel directly from Google's servers to the official European Commission endpoints. We never see, store, or transmit your spreadsheet contents.
The European Commission VIES system acts as a real-time router to 27 national databases. When national authorities (such as Italy or Spain) perform scheduled weekend maintenance, VIES returns an MS_UNAVAILABLE response.
Unlike other tools that mistakenly mark these numbers as invalid, BulkVAT detects maintenance states and outputs MS UNAVAILABLE (Retry Later), preventing you from wrongfully cancelling customer orders or invoices.
Following Brexit, Great Britain (GB) VAT numbers were permanently removed from the European Commission VIES database. BulkVAT validates UK numbers offline using HMRC's official Modulus 97 and Modulus 97-55 algorithms.
Results for UK numbers are clearly labelled: VALID (GB FORMAT ONLY - NOT REGISTRATION STATUS). Northern Ireland (XI) numbers for goods remain part of the EU single market and are validated live via VIES.
Google Apps Script imposes a strict 6-minute (360-second) limit per execution. BulkVAT includes an intelligent 4.5-minute execution budget guard.
When approaching the limit, BulkVAT checkpoints your current row and stats in your private document storage, registers a Google time-driven continuation trigger, and exits cleanly. Google automatically wakes the script in a fresh execution window to continue processing with zero dropped or duplicate rows.
BulkVAT adheres to the principle of least privilege. We declare @OnlyCurrentDoc and require only 3 minimal Google scopes:
spreadsheets.currentonly: Read and write VAT numbers only in the active spreadsheet. BulkVAT cannot access any other files in your Google Drive.script.container.ui: Display the sidebar and settings modal.script.external_request: Send HTTP requests to the official European Commission VIES API and Lemon Squeezy license verification API.
BulkVAT is sold as a one-time purchase with no recurring subscription fees. When you purchase via Lemon Squeezy, you receive a license key. Entering this key in the BulkVAT sidebar settings modal instantly unlocks unlimited daily rows.
BulkVAT caches the license validation in your Google user storage and includes a 14-day offline grace period so that transient internet or billing API outages never disrupt your workflow.
Under Article 138 of EU Directive 2006/112/EC, suppliers must prove due diligence when applying zero-rated VAT to intra-Community B2B supplies.
If you enter your company's own VAT number in BulkVAT settings, VIES returns an official cryptographic consultation identifier (e.g. WAPIAAAAaEMoIXtG) with a timestamp. This consultation code serves as statutory audit evidence for tax authorities.
We provide a 30-day, 100% no-quibble money-back guarantee. If BulkVAT does not meet your expectations for any reason, simply email [email protected] with your order number within 30 days for a full refund processed by Lemon Squeezy.