Applies to: Account Management

Account Management Help

Why do I need a valid CPF/CNPJ number?

New government regulations in Brazil require customer CPF/CNPJ (tax ID) numbers to be validated in order to complete online transactions. Below are some frequently asked questions and information on how you can ensure you’re able to complete your purchases/renewals going forward.

What qualifies my CPF as valid?

A valid CPF includes the following:

  • The CPF must follow an 11-digit structure, with the last two digits serving as verification digits.
  • The CPF must be active and associated with a real person.
  • The person must be alive and properly registered (not suspended, canceled, or marked as deceased).
  • The CPF must not be fraudulent or fake.
  • Depending on the industry, the CPF must belong to an individual aged 18 or older.

What qualifies a CNPJ as valid or invalid?

A valid, active CNPJ is in a 14-digit format.

An inactive CNPJ is invalid due to:

  • Voluntary inactivity: The company chose to suspend operations temporarily.
  • Strategic pause: Often used by holding companies or startups waiting for funding.
  • Dormant shell company: Maintained for future use, restructuring, or regulatory purposes.
  • Failure to file required declarations: May be marked as inactive by Receita Federal for noncompliance.

A closed CNPJ is invalid due to:

  • Voluntary closure: Shut down operations and dissolve the company.
  • Bankruptcy: Company goes through liquidation.
  • Merger or acquisition: Company is absorbed by another entity and the original CNPJ is closed.
  • Government action: Noncompliance with tax obligations (e.g., failure to submit tax returns for multiple years); Fraud, illegal activity, or irregular documentation; Long-term inactivity without proper communication to Receita Federal.

What if my purchase was declined, but my CPF/CNPJ is valid?

CPF/CNPJ numbers are checked against the Brazil Federal Database. Because it can take time for the database to update, if the status of your CPF/CNPJ has recently changed, your CPF/CNPJ may be erroneously returned as invalid.

No worries! If you believe your CPF/CNPJ was rejected in error, please contact our 24/7 customer support team. They will assist with creating an escalation to the proper team.

All you need to provide is a scanned copy of your government issued ID or documentation that clearly shows your name and your CPF/CNPJ number. Our team will then forward the information to the processor, who will review and attempt to clear the error.

Note: In some cases, additional information or action may be required to validate your CPF/CNPJ number(s).

How do I update my CPF/CNPJ?

  1. Go to the Payment Methods section of your account.
  2. Select the three dot menu menu and then select Edit.
    select edit
  3. Update the CPF/CNPJ field and then select Save.
    update cpf/cnpj number
Note: The CPF/CNPJ field is stored individually on each payment method, so you’ll need to complete the above process for each payment method on your account.

What if the payment method doesn’t belong to me (it belongs to a business partner, spouse, family member, etc.)?

You’ll need to provide the CPF/CNPJ that corresponds to the owner of the payment method.

If my purchase is declined, how will I know it was because my CPF/CNPJ is invalid?

We’ve updated the decline messaging during the checkout process. So, if your purchase is declined, you’ll know specifically that it failed because of an invalid CPF/CNPJ (referred to as “Tax ID”).
tax id checkout error

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