GET
$0.10 default
/api/lookupDescription
Validate a known GB VAT number via Ask Merlin
Documentation
Free upstream API, Apiosk public-source tariff (same as VIES). Only fresh, identity-matched source responses can settle.
Pricing
$0.10 default
Parameters
{
"properties": {
"max_age": {
"default": 3600,
"enum": [
3600
],
"type": "integer"
},
"q": {
"description": "Known GB VAT candidate; not company name",
"pattern": "^GB[0-9]{9}$",
"type": "string"
}
},
"required": [
"q"
],
"type": "object"
}Response schema
{
"required": [
"data",
"coverage",
"notice",
"source_url"
],
"type": "object"
}Example request
{
"max_age": 3600,
"q": "GB220430231"
}Example response
{
"coverage": {
"complete": true,
"scope": "One supplied GB VAT number, HMRC-derived response via Ask Merlin, at the recorded check time."
},
"data": {
"address": "CIRRUS A, SHIRE PARK KESTREL WAY, WELWYN GARDEN CITY, AL7 1GA, GB",
"checkedAt": "2026-09-21T22:44:06Z",
"consultationNumber": null,
"countryCode": "GB",
"name": "TESCO PLC",
"source": "live",
"stale": false,
"status": "valid",
"valid": true,
"vatNumber": "GB220430231"
},
"notice": "Match the registered name/address; no consultation reference. An invalid candidate does not prove no other registration.",
"source_url": "https://askmerlin.com/api/lookup?q=GB220430231&max_age=3600"
}