Terms of Service

1. Agreement to Terms

By accessing or using the Vatly API service ("Service"), you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service ("Terms"). If you are using the Service on behalf of an organization, you represent that you have the authority to bind that organization to these Terms.

If you do not agree to these Terms, do not use the Service.

2. Description of Service

Vatly provides an API for validating VAT and GST numbers. Our Service queries VIES, HMRC, the BFS UID Register, the Bronnysund Register, and the Australian ABR to verify VAT/GST registration status. The accuracy of validation results depends on the availability and data quality of these upstream systems.

Vatly is not a tax authority. Validation results should be used as one input in your tax compliance process, not as the sole basis for tax decisions.

3. Accounts and API Keys

You must create an account to use the Service. You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your API keys and for all activity that occurs under your account.

API keys are credentials. Do not share them publicly, commit them to version control, or embed them in client-side code. If you believe an API key has been compromised, revoke it immediately through your dashboard.

We reserve the right to revoke API keys or suspend accounts that violate these Terms.

4. Acceptable Use

You agree not to:

• Use the Service to build a competing VAT validation product or resell API access.
• Circumvent or attempt to circumvent rate limits, quotas, or other technical restrictions.
• Use the Service for any unlawful purpose or in violation of applicable regulations.
• Attempt to gain unauthorized access to our systems, other accounts, or upstream services.
• Send requests designed to disrupt, overload, or interfere with the Service.

5. Plans and Billing

The Service is offered under tiered plans with different validation quotas and features. Current plan details and pricing are available on our website.

Paid subscriptions are billed monthly through Stripe. Your subscription renews automatically at the start of each billing cycle unless cancelled. You can cancel at any time through your dashboard; cancellation takes effect at the end of the current billing period.

We do not offer partial refunds for unused portions of a billing period. If you upgrade or downgrade your plan mid-cycle, the change takes effect immediately and billing is prorated.

6. Rate Limits and Quotas

Each plan includes a monthly validation quota and per-minute rate limit. When you exceed your rate limit, the API returns a 429 status code with a Retry-After header. This is expected behavior, not a service failure.

If you exceed your monthly quota, further validation requests will be rejected until your quota resets at the start of your next billing cycle. Upgrade your plan if you need a higher quota.

7. Service Availability

We make best efforts to keep the Service available and performant. However, the Service depends on upstream systems (VIES, HMRC) that are outside our control. Upstream outages, maintenance windows, or slow responses may affect the Service.

We provide built-in caching to reduce the impact of upstream issues, but we do not guarantee uninterrupted availability. We will communicate known outages and maintenance through our status page.

8. Data and Privacy

Our collection and use of personal data is governed by our Privacy Policy. By using the Service, you acknowledge that you have read and understood our Privacy Policy.

VAT numbers submitted through the API are forwarded to VIES and HMRC for validation. We retain your validation history and usage data for as long as your account is active. When you delete your account, all associated data is immediately and irreversibly deleted, except for billing records that must be retained under applicable tax law.

We do not sell, rent, or trade your data. We do not use your data for advertising or any purpose other than providing the Service. You can export all your data as a JSON file from your dashboard settings at any time.

9. Intellectual Property

The Service, including its API design, documentation, website, and branding, is owned by Vatly. These Terms do not grant you any rights to our intellectual property except the limited right to use the Service as described here.

You retain all rights to the applications and services you build using our API.

10. Limitation of Liability

The Service is provided "as is" and "as available" without warranties of any kind, whether express or implied, including warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, or non-infringement.

To the maximum extent permitted by law, Vatly's total liability for any claims arising from your use of the Service is limited to the amount you paid us in the 12 months preceding the claim. We are not liable for indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages.

Specifically, we are not liable for decisions made based on validation results, tax penalties incurred due to incorrect validation data, or losses caused by upstream system outages.

11. Termination

Either party may terminate this agreement at any time. You can delete your account through your dashboard settings or by contacting us. We may suspend or terminate your access if you violate these Terms.

When you delete your account, all associated data is immediately and irreversibly deleted. This includes your account information, all API keys, validation history, and usage records. Any active subscription is cancelled automatically. Billing records may be retained by Stripe as required by applicable tax law. For full details, see our Privacy Policy.

12. Governing Law

These Terms are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the European Union and the applicable laws of the Netherlands. Any disputes arising from these Terms will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the Netherlands.

13. Changes to Terms

We may update these Terms from time to time. If we make material changes, we will notify you by email at least 30 days before the changes take effect. Your continued use of the Service after the effective date constitutes acceptance of the updated Terms.

14. Contact

For questions about these Terms, contact us at hello@vatly.dev.