New Zealand NZBN validator
How the NZBN format works
- Format
- 13 digits starting with 94, with a GS1 mod-10 check digit
- Example
- 9429040402543
Things to watch for
- Every NZBN is a GS1 Global Location Number from GS1 New Zealand's 94 prefix range, so it uses the same mod-10 check digit as barcodes
- Companies registered with the Companies Office get an NZBN automatically; sole traders and partnerships can apply for one
- Checksum only — a pass doesn't confirm the NZBN is on the register or still active
^94[0-9]{11}$An NZBN (New Zealand Business Number) is a 13-digit identifier for businesses in New Zealand, recorded on the public NZBN Register — for example 9429040402543. Companies registered with the Companies Office are given one automatically, and sole traders, partnerships and other entities can apply for one, so a single number can represent the business across government and trading-partner records. This page is for accounts, procurement and onboarding teams handling New Zealand business details.
A business number built on a barcode standard
Every NZBN is a GS1 Global Location Number (GLN) drawn from GS1 New Zealand’s 94 range. That choice has two consequences. First, an NZBN has the same 13-digit shape as an EAN-13 product barcode. Second, its last digit is a GS1 mod-10 check: working leftwards from the check digit, the digits are weighted 1, 3, 1, 3 and so on, and the weighted total must be a multiple of 10. For 9429040402543 the total is exactly 100.
NZBN, company number or IRD number?
| Identifier | Format | Used for |
|---|---|---|
| NZBN | 13 digits starting with 94 | One business identifier shared with government and trading partners |
| Companies Office company number | A shorter number | The company’s entry on the Companies Register |
| IRD number | 8 or 9 digits | Income tax and GST |
This tool removes spaces, confirms 13 digits beginning with 94, and runs the GS1 calculation in your browser — catching any single mistyped digit and most swapped neighbouring digits before an NZBN goes into an accounting system or supplier form.
What a pass doesn’t tell you
Because NZBNs share their number space with GS1 product codes, a New Zealand barcode that starts with 94 also passes — the digits alone can’t say which is which. A pass also doesn’t show that the number has been allocated, that the business is still trading, or who owns it.
Scope: this page and tool cover NZBN format and checksum validation only — not NZBN Register status or the business details recorded against it.
Content last reviewed 2026-10-11.
NZBN FAQ
Why does every NZBN start with 94?
Each NZBN is a GS1 Global Location Number allocated from GS1 New Zealand's number range, which begins with 94. That's also why an NZBN is 13 digits long and ends in the same kind of mod-10 check digit used on retail barcodes.
Is an NZBN the same as a company number or an IRD number?
No. A company registered with the Companies Office has its own, shorter company number, and its tax identity is its IRD number, which is also used for GST. The NZBN is a separate 13-digit identifier meant to be shared with government agencies and other businesses.
Does a valid check digit mean the business is on the NZBN Register?
No. Any 13-digit number starting with 94 and carrying a correct GS1 check digit passes — including some New Zealand product barcodes. Search the NZBN Register to confirm the number has been allocated and to see which entity holds it.