Getting a CAGE code for foreign companies is the first step for businesses based outside the United States that want to compete for federal contracts. Foreign companies can compete for United States federal contracts, but before they can register in SAM.gov they need an identifier that US companies receive automatically: a CAGE code. For companies based outside the United States, that identifier is issued as an NCAGE code, and obtaining it is one of the first steps in the registration process.
This guide explains how to get a CAGE code for foreign companies, the NATO bureau application steps, the documents you will need, and realistic timelines for SAM.gov registration.
What Is a CAGE Code, and Why Do Foreign Companies Get an NCAGE Code Instead?
A CAGE code, or Commercial and Government Entity code, is a five-character identifier used by the US government to identify a company in contracting and logistics systems. US entities receive a CAGE code from the Defense Logistics Agency during SAM.gov registration.
Companies outside the United States cannot receive a CAGE code in the same way. Instead, they apply for an NCAGE code, or NATO Commercial and Government Entity code, through the NATO Codification System. The NCAGE code serves the same purpose in SAM.gov and is entered in the same field as a CAGE code.
Do not confuse either code with the Unique Entity Identifier, or UEI. The UEI is SAM.gov’s primary entity identifier and is assigned during registration, while the CAGE or NCAGE code is a separate identifier that must be in place for the registration to be completed.
Step 1: Find Your National NATO Codification Bureau
Each country that participates in the NATO Codification System has a national codification bureau, usually run by its ministry of defence or a related agency. That bureau is the authority that issues a CAGE code for foreign companies in your country.
Start by searching for your country’s NATO codification bureau and confirming its official contact details and application form. If your country does not have a national bureau, applications are handled by the NATO Support and Procurement Agency. Applying to the wrong bureau is a common cause of delay, so confirm the correct authority before you submit anything.
Step 2: Prepare Your Company Information and Documents
Before you apply, gather your legal business name exactly as it appears in your official registration documents, your physical address, your type of organisation, and the name of a contact person who can answer questions about the application.
Most bureaus ask for proof of your company’s legal existence, such as a business registration certificate, and may ask for an English translation if your documents are in another language. Check whether your bureau requires notarised or certified copies, and prepare them in advance so the application is not returned for missing paperwork.
Consistency matters: the legal name and address you give for your NCAGE code must match the name and address you will use in SAM.gov. Even small differences, such as an abbreviated company suffix, can trigger validation problems later.
Step 3: Submit the NCAGE Application
Complete the bureau’s application form with your company details and submit it together with the supporting documents, using the bureau’s stated method, whether that is an online portal, email, or postal submission.
Read the form carefully and answer every required field. If a field does not apply to your company, follow the bureau’s instructions for leaving it blank rather than guessing. Keep a copy of everything you submit, along with the date of submission and any reference number you receive.
Some bureaus charge no fee for an NCAGE code, while others may charge a small administrative fee. Be wary of third-party services that charge large fees for what is usually a straightforward application; you can normally apply directly to the bureau yourself.
Step 4: Receive and Verify Your NCAGE Code
Once your application is approved, the bureau will issue your five-character NCAGE code. Check it carefully as soon as you receive it: confirm that your company name and address are recorded correctly, and ask the bureau to correct any errors immediately.
Keep the code and the bureau’s confirmation in a safe place. You will need the code during SAM.gov registration, and your Entity Administrator may need to show it if SAM.gov asks for verification of your entity record.
Step 5: Use the Code in SAM.gov Registration
With your NCAGE code in hand, you can proceed with SAM.gov registration. Sign in through Login.gov, create or access your entity record, and enter the NCAGE code in the CAGE/NCAGE field when prompted.
Complete the remaining sections of the registration, including your UEI, entity information, and representations and certifications, and review everything before submitting. SAM.gov will validate your entity information, and a mismatch between your NCAGE record and your SAM.gov record is one of the most common reasons validation stalls.
How Long Does a CAGE Code for Foreign Companies Take?
Timelines vary by country and by bureau workload. Some bureaus issue an NCAGE code within a few business days, while others take several weeks, especially if documents need translation or verification.
SAM.gov registration itself also takes time, because entity validation can take days or weeks after submission. For that reason, start the NCAGE application well before any contract deadline, and treat the whole process, from NCAGE application to an active SAM.gov registration, as a matter of weeks rather than days.
Common Delays and Mistakes
A frequent mistake is starting SAM.gov registration before obtaining a CAGE code for foreign companies, and only then discovering the NCAGE requirement, which forces a pause while the code is obtained. Another is submitting inconsistent company details, so that the NCAGE record and the SAM.gov record do not match.
Companies also run into trouble when the person named as the SAM.gov Entity Administrator is not authorised to act for the company, or when supporting documents are submitted in a language the bureau does not accept. Checking the bureau’s requirements in advance avoids most of these problems.
Conclusion
A CAGE code for foreign companies is issued as an NCAGE code from your national NATO codification bureau. To get one, prepare accurate company documents and enter the code correctly in SAM.gov. Start early, keep your company details consistent across every system, and you will avoid the most common delays on the way to an active SAM.gov registration.