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NATO NCAGE Codes: How They Differ from US CAGE Codes

When US government contracts involve NATO allies or allied nation suppliers, you'll encounter NCAGE codes — the NATO equivalent of US CAGE codes. This guide explains the NATO Codification System, how NCAGE codes work, and when they apply to US contractors.

What Is an NCAGE Code?

An NCAGE code (NATO Commercial and Government Entity code) is assigned to non-US suppliers in NATO member countries. The format mirrors US CAGE codes (5 alphanumeric characters) but the first character may differ by country. NCAGE codes are managed by each country's National Codification Authority (NCA) and are interoperable with US DLA systems via the NATO Codification System (NCS).

Country Prefixes in NCAGE Codes

NCAGE codes from some countries carry identifiable prefixes:

UK: Codes beginning with letters U, V, W, X, Y, Z
Germany: Codes beginning with K or L
France: Codes beginning with F or S
Canada: Often begins with W
US: Codes always start with a digit (0–9)

Not all countries use distinguishable prefixes — always verify in the DLA CAGE database.

How to Get an NCAGE Code as a Non-US Supplier

Non-US suppliers apply for NCAGE codes through their country's National Codification Authority, not through SAM.gov. The NCA validates the business and issues the code, which is then propagated to the DLA master database. US primes working with allied suppliers should request the supplier's NCAGE code for supply chain tracking.

US Contractors Working in NATO Countries

US contractors with a US CAGE code can generally use that code when working on NATO projects through US DoD channels. If working directly on a NATO agency contract (e.g., NSPA, NATO Communications and Information Agency), you may be assigned an NCAGE code in addition to your US code. The two codes will be linked in the DLA database.

Decode Any CAGE Code Instantly

Enter any 5-character CAGE code to see the company name, SAM status, and certifications.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I tell if a CAGE code is from the US or NATO just by looking at it?

Usually. US CAGE codes always start with a digit (0–9). Many NCAGE codes from European countries start with letters, though this is not universal.

Is there a free NATO NCAGE lookup tool?

Yes. The DLA CAGE search at cage.dla.mil includes NATO NCAGE data. The NATO NSPA also publishes codification data.

Do NCAGE codes expire?

NCAGE codes, like US CAGE codes, are permanent identifiers. However, the underlying SAM.gov or national registration may have its own renewal requirements.

See Contract History

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