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If your company conducts international trade transactions, you probably already have a DUNS Number. But if you still haven’t obtained this identifier, we’ll explain everything about it.

D.U.N.S., which is an English abbreviation for Data Universal Numbering System, is a worldwide nine‑digit identifier code (like an “international business ID”) created and managed by Dun & Bradstreet. This company operates in commercial information management and has been present in Latin America for more than 100 years, linking companies to its database.

The DUNS Number is a global standard used to identify companies in business transactions.

This number is exclusive and non‑transferable and is recognized by major standardization organizations worldwide, such as the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), the UN’s Electronic Data Interchange Standard for Administration, Commerce and Transport, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), and the U.S. federal government.

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What are the benefits of having a DUNS Number?

In an interconnected world, where many deals are made through networks, millions of business organizations need information to make decisions.

To enable better access to data, the DUNS Number identifies more than 250 million companies worldwide, offering a complete view of the organizations your company does business with.

By using this number, you gain access to a connected network of information about current and potential suppliers, as well as customers and business partners across all continents.

Many governments—including the U.S. federal government, the Australian government, and the European Commission—and more than 50 global industries, including trade associations and many corporations worldwide, recommend or require a DUNS Number.

To get a sense of how important this identifier is: a legal entity that wants to publish an app or digital catalog in Apple’s App Store, for example, needs a DUNS Number to open an account with the company.

Having this identifier puts your company ahead of competitors, because it becomes able to engage with the world’s largest organizations. It has become the standard for navigating the business world, and many companies consult the D&B database daily.

That means the registered information can greatly influence negotiations for closing deals. Often, the information contained in a DUNS Number is enough for a company to be recognized and for credit and supply decisions to be made faster.

In addition to increasing visibility in the commercial market, the DUNS Number offers other advantages for the company that starts using this international number:

• Eliminates duplicated records in customer and supplier registries;
• Modernizes operations and simplifies communications through e-commerce;
• Provides a common identifier for invoices, requisitions, payments, customs documents, etc.;
• Identifies connected suppliers and potential operational cost reductions;
• Integrates internal accounts payable and accounts receivable systems.

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How to get a DUNS Number

To obtain a DUNS Number in Brazil, your company needs to open an account on the Dun & Bradstreet Brazil website and register the organization. D&B itself will validate your registration data and provide the national number.

The price to obtain a DUNS Number varies depending on the deadline or urgency.

After receiving your data, the longest waiting time to obtain the identifier is 30 days. There’s also a 5‑to‑7‑day timeline option. The shortest time on record is 24 to 48 hours.

Did you like learning about DUNS Numbers? If you have any other questions, contact Dun & Bradstreet.

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