Understanding the NIC role
Discover the essential role of the NIC (Internal Classification Number) in identifying French establishments.
What is the NIC?
The NIC (Numéro Interne de Classement - Internal Classification Number) is a 5-digit code that complements the SIREN to form the SIRET. It uniquely identifies each establishment of the same company.
SIREN (9 chiffres) + NIC (5 chiffres) = SIRET (14 chiffres)
The NIC allows to distinguish the different establishments of the same company
Visual example
Company
SIREN
Establishment
NIC
Full identifier
SIRET
Each establishment of the company keeps the same SIREN but has a unique NIC
Role of the NIC
Unique identification of establishments
The NIC differentiates each physical site of a company: headquarters, branches, agencies, warehouses, etc.
Distinct administrative management
Each establishment with its NIC can have its own social, tax and statistical declarations.
Geographical traceability
The NIC allows to precisely locate a company's activity on French territory.
Practical example
A company with a single SIREN can have multiple establishments, each identified by a different NIC:
| Establishment | SIREN | NIC | SIRET |
|---|---|---|---|
| Head office - Paris | 732 829 320 | 00011 | 732 829 320 00011 |
| Branch - Lyon | 732 829 320 | 00029 | 732 829 320 00029 |
| Branch - Marseille | 732 829 320 | 00037 | 732 829 320 00037 |
| Warehouse - Lille | 732 829 320 | 00045 | 732 829 320 00045 |
All establishments share the same SIREN but each has its own NIC, thus creating a unique SIRET per establishment.
How is the NIC assigned?
The NIC is automatically assigned by INSEE when declaring a new establishment:
Assignment rules
- The first establishment (headquarters) generally receives a NIC ending in 1
- Following establishments receive sequential NICs
- The last digit of the NIC is a check digit (Luhn algorithm)
Special cases
- In case of closure then reopening of an establishment, a new NIC may be assigned
- A relocation may generate a new NIC (new establishment)
- Numbers are not reused after establishment closure
What does the NIC contain?
4 sequential digits
The first 4 digits are assigned sequentially by INSEE for each new establishment.
1 check digit
The last digit is calculated using the Luhn algorithm to detect input errors.
No geographical information
Contrary to popular belief, the NIC does not contain any geographical or sectoral code.
Key differences
| SIREN | NIC | SIRET | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Length | 9 chiffres | 5 chiffres | 14 chiffres |
| Scope | Entire company | One establishment | One specific establishment |
| Permanence | Permanent | Linked to establishment | Changes if establishment closed |
| Assignment | At creation | For each establishment | SIREN + NIC |
Why is the NIC important?
- It allows to precisely target a specific establishment of a multi-site company
- It facilitates administrative declarations establishment by establishment
- It allows to track the geographical evolution of a company (openings/closures)
- It ensures that each place of business has a unique identifier in the SIRENE database
Important notice
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