Sourcing glossary
Unified social credit code
Also known as: USCC, 统一社会信用代码, Business licence number, 통일사회신용코드
The 18-character national ID assigned to every Chinese company and organisation under standard GB 32100-2015, printed on its business licence and searchable in official registries.
The code uses digits and capital letters (excluding I, O, Z, S and V): a registration-authority code, an entity-type code, a six-digit administrative area code, a nine-character organisation code and a check character. Ask for the supplier's business licence and search the code on China's National Enterprise Credit Information Publicity System (gsxt.gov.cn) to confirm the legal name, registration status, registered capital and business scope.
Check that the company name on the licence matches the name on the proforma invoice and the bank account holder, and whether the business scope includes manufacturing. See how to verify an Alibaba supplier.
Related terms
Guides that use this term
Platforms
How to Verify an Alibaba Supplier Before You Pay
Check an Alibaba.com supplier step by step: what Verified and Gold Supplier badges mean, business license lookups, factory vs trader signals and red flags.
Updated 2026-09-15 · 5 min read
Suppliers
Factory vs Trading Company in China: How to Tell and Which to Use
How to tell a real Chinese factory from a trading company using the business license scope, capital records and audits, plus when a trader is the smarter choice.
Updated 2026-09-02 · 7 min read
Platforms
How to Buy from 1688.com Outside China: A Step-by-Step Guide
How overseas buyers buy on 1688.com: account and payment options, Chinese and image search, shipping to a China forwarder, agents, and supplier checks.
Updated 2026-09-01 · 6 min read
Part of Finding Suppliers.