Skip to main content
All CollectionsLegal and compliance
User validation (KYC) with CopeCart
User validation (KYC) with CopeCart

User validation and KYC (Know-Your-Client Feature), verification, unlock account, receive payouts

Updated yesterday

In order to fully activate your CopeCart account and enable payouts, we ask you to confirm your identity. This KYC (Know Your Client) process helps us to make CopeCart secure and transparent - for you and all other partners.

Test CopeCart in the first 7 days with full access: Important information on KYC verification for vendors

As a newly registered vendor, you can use CopeCart without restrictions during a 7-day test phase. During this time, it is necessary to complete the KYC verification in order to continue selling products after the test phase and to be able to use all CopeCart functions permanently.

Without completed KYC verification, the sale of products will only be possible during this test phase. From the eighth day onwards, the checkout process will be paused until verification has been completed. Payouts are also only possible after successful verification.

Once you have submitted your documents, the verification process is usually completed within 48 hours. However, please factor this processing time into the 7-day period.

Start now and secure full access!

Get started with CopeCart: Important information on KYC verification for affiliates

In order to be able to use CopeCart to its full extent, you need to complete the KYC verification. Once you have successfully completed the verification, you can promote and sell products - and also receive payouts without any problems.

The good news is that once you have submitted your documents, verification is usually completed within 48 hours.

Get started now and unlock all the benefits!

The following documents are mandatory:

  • Identity card

  • Certificate from the tax office with your tax number (alternatively: VAT ID number)

  • Bank document confirming the payment account number (including first name and surname of the account holder and IBAN)

  • Trade license (only for commercial activity, see here)


As soon as you log in to CopeCart, you will receive a notification asking you to continue the validation process in order to receive payments.

We strongly recommend that you complete the validation process as soon as possible, as it may take some time. It is advisable to proceed with it in order not to have any delays in the processing of your payments.

If you do not see a notification, please go to the account settings, select the "account Settings" tab and fill in the details and your email address.

Add your account details and email address. Here you can also set your payment interval and the minimum payout amount. Please make sure that you have entered all the required data correctly and then click on the green button in the top right corner of your account to save your entries.

Next, click the "Start Verification Now" button, read the pop-up message and proceed with the verification:


Notes and required documents

Trader/ VAT liability

If you operate a business in Germany and are subject to VAT, such as partnerships, UG, GmbH or AG, you must have a VAT registration number (DE), document confirming the bank account number (with user name and IBAN number) and a trade license or an excerpt from the commercial register in order to sell products at CopeCart and receive your payouts.

If your business is located within the EU, you will need a VAT number (XX ...), document confirming the bank account number (with user name and IBAN number) and proof of your trade or business.

For companies outside the EU, no documents from the tax office are required. However, you must provide proof that your business or trade exists and document confirming the bank account number (with user name and IBAN number)


Small business in Germany

If you are a small business you need:

  • a trade license,

  • document confirming the bank account number (with user name and IBAN number) and

  • a certificate from the tax office about the tax number or your AHV number


Small business in Austria

If you are a small business owner in Austria, you need the following for validation:

  • a Gisa extract or extract from the trade register,

  • as well as your current tax number, under which you report your sales to the tax office.

If you do not have the above-mentioned extracts, please ask your tax office for confirmation of your tax number. This is usually an informal application that is automatically created for you and sent to you.


Users from Switzerland (Taxable sales and Small businesses)

You need the following for validation:

  • a business registration or an excerpt from the commercial register and

  • a document confirming the bank account number for withdrawals (with your name and IBAN).

Please also enter your company identification number, also known as UID, in your account (the company identification number is made up of the abbreviation "CHE" and a 9-digit number). Alternatively, you can also use a VAT ID.

Small businesses can be validated with an AHV/tax number.


Freelancers

If you work as a freelancer, we would like to ask you to provide suitable proof of your activity. This could be a university degree, a license or a certificate, for example.

Then select "Small business" or "Taxable sales" in your account, depending on the amount of your income.

In addition, we require a VAT identification number (UID) or proof from the tax office confirming your freelance status and VAT exemption for freelancers as well as a document confirming the bank account number for payments (with your name and IBAN).

If you have selected "Small business" in your account, you will receive your credits as net amounts. In this case, CopeCart will pay the corresponding VAT amounts directly to the relevant tax office for you.

On the other hand, if you have selected the "Taxable sales" setting in your account, you will receive your credit notes as gross amounts. You pay the corresponding tax amounts independently to the tax office responsible for you.

At this point, we would like to draw your attention to the applicable legal framework.

If you are unsure which setting applies to your situation, we recommend that you contact your tax advisor, as CopeCart is not permitted to provide tax advice.


Associations

A distinction is made here between so-called ideal associations and business associations. As a business association, you have the option of working with CopeCart.


Minors

Section 106 BGB applies to underage end customers. According to this, a minor who has reached the age of seven is limited in their legal capacity in accordance with Sections 107 to 113. Contracts concluded that go beyond "pocket money" are suspended and only become effective with parental consent. This also applies in principle to vendors.

Minors engaged in business (including vendors, if applicable) can make use of § 112 I and II BGB. According to this, there are two requirements for the operation of a trade by minors. In order to exercise an independent trade, they require the authorization of their legal representative, usually their parents, as well as the approval of the family court.


User from Spain

In order to verify yourself with CopeCart, you will need the documents mentioned above.

Difference between NIE and NIF for Spanish users

In Spain, there are two central identification numbers for tax and official purposes:

NIE (Número de Identificación de Extranjero)

The NIE is the tax identification number for foreigners in Spain. It is required if a person who is not a Spanish citizen is liable to pay tax in Spain or carries out economic activities there. The NIE is generally used by foreign residents, freelancers or entrepreneurs who work or live in Spain but are not Spanish citizens.

NIF (Número de Identificación Fiscal)

The NIF serves as a tax identification number for Spanish citizens and legal entities such as Spanish companies. Every Spanish citizen automatically receives a NIF, which is used for identification in tax matters. Companies in Spain also need a NIF.


When do you need a NIE and when do you need a NIF?

NIE: Is required by foreign residents or non-citizens in Spain if they carry out business activities or generate taxable income there.

NIF: Used by Spanish citizens and Spanish companies to identify themselves for tax purposes.

What number is required for KYC verification with CopeCart?

The following applies for KYC verification with CopeCart:

Spanish citizens and companies must provide their NIF.

Foreign residents and entrepreneurs in Spain who do not have Spanish citizenship need their NIE instead.


KYC procedure for users from the Canary Islands

Although the Canary Islands officially belong to Spain, they are treated as a third country for tax purposes. Therefore, special requirements apply to companies and self-employed persons in the Canary Islands for KYC verification with CopeCart.

What proof is required?

We require the following proof for users from the Canary Islands:

Proof of residence: proof must be provided that the main residence is actually in the Canary Islands. This proof can be provided by official documents such as a valid identity card or a registration certificate.

Proof of commercial registration: Regardless of whether you are a small business owner or a fully taxable entrepreneur - anyone who runs a business in the Canary Islands must have registered this for tax purposes locally. Even if no VAT identification number is required, we need proof that the person is registered as a trader in the Canary Islands.

Special features for small businesses and freelancers

Freelancers can work either as small entrepreneurs or as fully taxable entrepreneurs. Small entrepreneurs who do not pay VAT must also submit a tax return in their country and be registered as a trader. Proof of this registration is also required.

Why is this proof necessary?

As the Canary Islands are considered a third country for tax purposes, it is essential for CopeCart to verify this information to ensure that all tax requirements are correctly met. With the proof of residence and business registration, we ensure that you are correctly registered with us as a user from the Canary Islands and that we can classify you correctly for tax purposes.


Guidelines for Users from Non-EU Countries

You need the following for validation:

  • An ID card or passport along with a selfie holding the ID.

  • A business registration certificate or proof of a registered company, such as a Limited Company.

  • A document confirming your bank details.

Here is a list of European countries that are not members of the European Union (EU):

  • Albania: EU candidate country.

  • Andorra: Microstate in the Pyrenees.

  • Armenia: Located in the Caucasus, partially in Europe.

  • Azerbaijan: Also in the Caucasus, partially in Europe.

  • Belarus: Member of the Eurasian Economic Union.

  • Bosnia and Herzegovina: EU candidate country.

  • Georgia: Situated in the Caucasus, partially in Europe.

  • Iceland: Member of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA).

  • Kazakhstan: A small part lies in Europe; member of the Eurasian Economic Union.

  • Kosovo: Potential EU candidate country.

  • Liechtenstein: Member of EFTA.

  • Moldova: EU candidate country.

  • Monaco: Microstate on the Mediterranean coast.

  • Montenegro: EU candidate country.

  • North Macedonia: EU candidate country.

  • Norway: Member of EFTA.

  • Russia: Member of the Eurasian Economic Union.

  • San Marino: Enclave within Italy.

  • Switzerland: Member of EFTA.

  • Serbia: EU candidate country.

  • Turkey: EU candidate country; member of the customs union with the EU.

  • Ukraine: EU candidate country.

  • Vatican City: Independent city-state in Rome.

  • United Kingdom: Former EU member, exited in 2020 (Brexit).


Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Important note: Please note that the KYC process must be renewed annually and your documents must be checked and confirmed to ensure that they are up to date. This ensures that all your data is always up to date and complies with legal requirements. You can find more information on the annual reset of the KYC status in our detailed help article.

How long does the validation take

The verification process is performed by CopeCart. We carefully check your documents and information and make sure that everything fits.

Usually this process takes about 48 hours on business days.

If some of your submitted documents are incorrect, poorly legible or missing, we will contact you and you will submit the documents directly to us. Please note that the validation process is not immediate and it may take some time to review your documents.

Important: Even after you have successfully completed all the required steps and provided all the documents, you will still see a validation notification in your account. This is completely normal and will remain so until our team verifies your account.

Once our support team is notified that a new user has been successfully verified, your account will be validated and you will be able to receive withdrawals.

The validation process does not start/ I cannot upload a selfie/ my camera does not work

Some CopeCart members may not be able to validate on their device. We ask you to run the validation again on another device. Please clear your cache and use another browser if you still can't start the validation. Open an incognito window and start the validation.

Freelancer without business - what documents are needed?

In this case, you will need your identity card and a tax registration document from the tax office to validate yourself. Please make the appropriate selection in your account, depending on the amount of your income. Decide between 'Small business' and 'Taxable sales'.

CopeCart does not make payments to private individuals or employees. If the required documents cannot be provided, we will assume that you are a private individual. In this case, it is not possible to sell via our platform.


We are happy to have you on board! If you have any further questions, please contact our support team.

Best regards

Your CopeCart Team

Did this answer your question?