The five checks
| Check | Why it matters | How |
|---|---|---|
| The GSTIN is well formed | Catches typing mistakes before anything else runs | Check digit validation in your own code, no API call |
| The registration is active | A cancelled or suspended supplier cannot pass on input tax credit | GET /v1/gstin/{gstin}, read status |
| The legal name matches | Confirms the GSTIN belongs to the business you are paying | Same call, compare legal_name and trade_name with the invoice |
| Returns are being filed | An active registration can still be months behind on returns | GET /v1/gstin/{gstin}/compliance |
| Other registrations under the PAN | Shows the supplier’s other state registrations, including cancelled ones | GET /v1/pan/{pan}/gstins, optional |
The order to run them in
- Validate the check digit in your form. A mistyped GSTIN is rejected before it costs a network call.
- Look the GSTIN up. If the status is not Active, stop and ask the vendor.
- Compare the legal name and the state with the vendor’s invoice or registration certificate. Names rarely match letter for letter, so compare after removing punctuation and words like Private and Limited.
- Check return filing. Read the filing frequency first, because a quarterly filer has normal gaps.
- Save the result with the date you checked, so an auditor can see what you knew and when.
What it costs per vendor
| Check | Cost |
|---|---|
| Status and legal name | 1 credit |
| Return filing summary | 1 more credit |
| Registrations under the PAN | 1 PAN search, ₹3.50 |
A credit is ₹0.80 on the smallest pack and ₹0.40 on the largest, before 18% GST. So status plus filing is ₹0.80 to ₹1.60 a vendor, and every account starts with up to 100 free lookups.
After onboarding
A check at onboarding is true on that day. Registrations get cancelled later, and you usually find out when a credit claim is questioned.
Monitoring re-checks each vendor on a schedule and emails you when a registration is cancelled or suspended, or when the name changes. The first 5 vendors are free. For a list you already have in Excel, bulk verification checks up to 2,000 rows in one upload.
Frequently asked questions
What should I verify before onboarding a vendor for GST?
That the GSTIN is well formed, that the registration is active, that the legal name matches the business you are dealing with, and that the vendor is filing returns. Checking the other registrations under the same PAN is a useful extra for larger suppliers.
How much does it cost to verify a vendor’s GSTIN?
One credit for status and legal name, and one more for the return filing summary. A credit costs ₹0.40 to ₹0.80 depending on the pack, before 18% GST. The first 100 lookups are free.
Is checking that the GSTIN is active enough?
No. An active registration can be months behind on returns, and your input tax credit depends on the supplier reporting your invoices. Check return filing as well.
How do I verify vendors I onboarded earlier?
Export the vendor list to Excel and upload it to bulk verification, which fills in status and filing dates for up to 2,000 rows a file. For ongoing checks, add the vendors to monitoring.
Can this run inside my ERP or onboarding form?
Yes. Each check is a GET request with an x-api-key header, so it can be called from any backend. The guides cover Python, Node.js, PHP, C#, Java and Go.
Start with up to 100 free lookups
25 on signup and 25 for each of three setup steps. No card, and they never expire.
Create a free account