ACRA Number vs DUNS Number: Do Singapore Businesses Need Both?

A DUNS number—short for Data Universal Numbering System—is a unique, 9-digit identifier issued by Dun & Bradstreet (D&B). It acts like a global business passport, helping verify a company’s identity and track its financial and credit history internationally.

Introduced in 1963, the DUNS number has become a trusted standard used by financial institutions, corporations, and governments around the world for contract validation, credit risk assessment, and corporate transparency.

🆚 ACRA Number (UEN) vs. DUNS Number

In Singapore, all registered businesses receive an ACRA number, also known as a UEN (Unique Entity Number). This is your official legal identifier for everything local—filings, taxes, licensing, and contracts.

A DUNS number, on the other hand, is not required for domestic operations but becomes relevant when you step onto the global stage.

You typically only need a DUNS number if:

• You’re registering on international platforms like Apple Developer or Google Play.

• You’re applying for overseas grants or working with foreign companies who require it.

• You want to establish or improve your international business credit profile.

So while your ACRA/UEN is essential for local operations, your DUNS number is optional but valuable if you operate cross-border or seek global credibility.

🔎 Key Facts About the DUNS Number

1. Unique and Permanent: Each DUNS number is assigned to a specific business location and stays with it permanently—even if ownership or name changes.

2. Globally Recognized: Entities like the UN, European Commission, Apple, and Google use DUNS numbers to verify businesses.

3. Randomized Structure: The number doesn’t contain any coded information; it’s simply a unique identifier.

🛠️ What Is It Used For?

• Business Credit Reports: Suppliers, banks, and partners use it to check your international credit profile.

• Government Applications: Commonly required for U.S. or global grants and contract bids.

• Developer Registrations: Platforms like Apple’s App Store and Google Play Console may ask for it.

• Corporate Linkage: Helps map out relationships between parent companies and subsidiaries in D&B’s global database.

✅ How to Get a DUNS Number

1. Check First: Use D&B’s lookup tool to see if your business already has a DUNS number.

2. Apply if Needed: If you don’t have one, apply through the same site.

3. Cost & Processing Time: It’s free to apply, with typical processing times of 30 days.

🔄 DUNS vs. UEI (U.S.-Specific Note)

As of April 2022, the U.S. government transitioned from using DUNS numbers to the UEI (Unique Entity Identifier) for all federal grant and contract processes. However, many private companies and international institutions still rely on DUNS.

📝 Final Thoughts

If you're operating solely within Singapore, your ACRA/UEN is enough. But if your business has international aspirations—be it partnerships, platform integrations, or global visibility—then getting a DUNS number is a smart move.

It boosts your business’s legitimacy, helps you get noticed in international directories, and positions you for growth beyond local borders. It takes just 30 seconds to apply—and compared to having to wait up to 30 days when you actually need one, it’s something worth getting over and done with now.

Check your DUNS number or apply here.

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