3 tried-and-tested ways to add a VAT Number (EU VAT) field in WooCommerce

How can we enable clients to enter VAT Number in the WooCommerce checkout form? This guide will provide you with 3 ways of adding the EU VAT Number field in WooCommerce.

Selling in the European Union is very specific, mostly because of the legal aspects. WooCommerce sometimes does not take that into account, which is why it is necessary to adjust the store to the European conditions. It is absolutely essential to support the VAT identification number (known as VAT Number or EU VAT), a must-have for issuing an invoice.

Which solution to add VAT Number to WooCommerce is the best for you?

Before we start discussing the 3 ways to add a VAT Number field in WooCommerce, let's have a quick look at the comparison between them.

* VAT Number validation will be available in the next major release of Flexible Checkout Fields PRO.

Solution 1. Flexible Invoices for WooCommerce

I'm mentioning this solution first because, in my opinion, it's the best one.

To make use of it, you will need our plugin, Flexible Invoices WooCommerce. This plugin not only enables adding a VAT Number field. In addition it also gives you the opportunity to make the VAT field required, as well as validate the customer's VAT Number. The label and placeholder can also be adjusted to one's liking.

Conditional VAT Number field and invoice

You can enable the conditional VAT field by simply checking the option in the plugin's settings. I want an invoice checkbox will be displayed on the order form. After checking it, a field to enter the VAT Number will dynamically appear.

If the field is checked and the VAT Number is entered you may also enable automatic sending of invoices to save time and money.

EU VAT Number WooCommerce validation

If you enable validation, the plugin will make sure that the VAT Number entered by the customer is valid. If not it will display the error message and won't allow to place the order.

EU VAT Number in WooCommerce order admin page

The VAT Number field will be displayed in the WooCommerce admin panel in the order.

EU VAT Number in WooCommerce emails

The information about the invoice and VAT Number are automatically added to the billing details in all WooCommerce transactional emails.

Why is this solution the best, Besides the options mentioned above? Flexible Invoices automatically displays the VAT Number on the issued invoices. And so you have everything in one place.

Solution 2. Flexible Checkout Fields for WooCommerce

Another solution which I recommend is adding the VAT Number field by using WooCommerce Checkout Fields Editor. The VAT ID number entered by a customer will appear in the order summary, in the admin panel, just like in the Flexible Invoices WooCommerce plugin. The plugin also enables setting personalized labels and placeholders.

Using an appropriate label and placeholder may be particularly useful since it may propel a user to a desired action. For instance, using a placeholder "Enter the VAT Number to receive an invoice" is much better than no information at all. It clearly shows why the VAT ID field was introduced.

Additionally you may use HTML in the label content. For example you can add a link to more information about the conditions of receiving an invoice.

This plugin also gives you the choice of deciding where exactly the VAT Number field is supposed to appear in the order. Obviously, the recommended section is the billing section. Also, the VAT Number field can be displayed in any order desired by the client, even when some fields have been added by default.

Conditional logic, validation and custom sections for the VAT Number field

Furthermore if you upgrade to the PRO version of Flexible Checkout Fields you will be able to use conditional logic and create your custom validation rules. Apart from that you can even add the VAT field to custom sections of the WooCommerce checkout.

Solution 3. DIY: Adding the VAT Number field in WooCommerce

The last solution requires at least some know-how when it comes to editing PHP files. Which is why this method is recommended for advanced users or for those who just enjoy doing things on their own and are not afraid of some "DIY" work.

VAT Number in WooCommerce Checkout

To add a new field, you need to paste the code in functions.php of your theme.

After doing so, we'll get the following view in the order form:

To save this freshly added field in the order, you need to use the following code:

VAT Number in WooCommerce Admin

It's also wise to show its content in the admin panel. To do so, use the following code:

Here's what you should see afterwards:

VAT Number in WooCommerce Emails

In order to show the VAT Number field in transactional emails, add the following code:

Here's what you should see in WooCommerce emails:

I hope that this short guide will prove useful! If you still have your doubts about adding the VAT Number field in WooCommerce, please contact us in the comments section.

Read more: How to Configure WooCommerce Taxes a Complete Tutorial →