A mistyped identifier can attach an invoice to the wrong establishment or stop a file. The ICE identifies a business and its establishments uniquely and uniformly across administrations; it is added to the RC, tax identifier and CNSS number rather than replacing them. Copy it from evidence, then check its structure.
What an ICE says
- It has 15 positions.
- The first 9 identify the business.
- The next 4 identify the establishment.
- The final 2 are control characters.
- A branch shares the business identity with its establishment segment.
- Allocation depends on profile and creation stage.
- It appears on relevant official documents.
- It coexists with RC, IF and CNSS.
1. Read the 15 positions
Do not remove a segment’s leading zeros when storing or displaying an ICE.
| Segment | Length | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Business | 9 positions | common entity root |
| Establishment | 4 positions | 0000 for the main reference, other values as allocated |
| Control | 2 positions | control characters for the whole |
OMPIC’s example shows the same business with establishment segments 0000 and 0001. Do not invent a code for a new site: wait for the relevant allocation and formalities.
2. Know where it is allocated
The path varies by person.
| Profile | Allocation stated by OMPIC | Evidence to check |
|---|---|---|
| New legal person | OMPIC during the negative-certificate request | certificate then final file |
| New natural person | Tax Administration | IF/TP bulletin |
| Existing business | applicable regularisation or lookup path | current official evidence |
Platforms and administrative responsibilities evolve. If an ICE is missing, blocked or inconsistent, use the designated official form or channel instead of creating a local value.
3. Do not confuse four identifiers
They may sit together because they serve different purposes.
| Identifier | Simplified purpose | Classic error |
|---|---|---|
| ICE | common identity across administrations | assuming it replaces every number |
| RC | Trade Register entry | copying another city or entity’s number |
| IF | Tax Administration identity | deriving it from the ICE |
| CNSS | employer social-security identity | confusing it with employee registration |
Do not invent a mathematical relationship between the numbers. Each value must come from its source document.
Store the ICE as text
A spreadsheet or application may remove leading zeros if it treats the ICE as a number. Use a checked 15-position text field.
4. Verify before distribution
Compare the certificate or notice, register data, tax documents and vendor/customer master. Check all 15 characters, leading zeros, establishment segment and matching name.
- Source: current official document
- Input: 15-character text field
- Control: second reading and establishment
- Propagation: templates changed together
For an anomaly, stop distributing the bad template, gather evidence and use the competent OMPIC/DGI route. Fixing software display does not correct administrative data.
5. Manage multiple outlets
The establishment code makes sites visible in the identity, but adding a shop to a tool does not automatically allocate a new ICE.
- Create the site only after decisions and formalities.
- Attach sales and stock to the real establishment.
- Retain source evidence in the site record.
- Avoid blindly copying one ICE across distinct entities.
BelloPOS can organise outlets and display validated identity. It does not allocate an ICE, calculate control characters or regularise an establishment.
Mistakes to avoid
- Removing leading zeros.
- Using another group company’s ICE.
- Inventing the new shop’s code.
- Confusing ICE, RC, IF and CNSS.
- Copying from a blurred photo.
- Correcting only the invoice template.
Frequently asked questions
How many positions does an ICE have?
Fifteen: nine for the business, four for the establishment and two control positions, according to OMPIC.
Does ICE replace RC and IF?
No. OMPIC says it is added to the other legal identifiers.
Who allocates a new company’s ICE?
For a new legal person, OMPIC allocates it during the negative-certificate request.
Does a new shop automatically receive one?
No. Handle the relevant establishment formalities and allocation.
Does BelloPOS verify ICE with the administration?
No. Enter the value from official evidence and resolve anomalies through the competent channel.
What to take away
Copy the ICE from evidence, preserve its 15 positions and establishment segment, then use it alongside—never instead of—the other identifiers.
Sources
The figures and rules quoted above come from these pages, read on the date given in the article.
- OMPIC, Common Business Identifier, read 30 August 2026
- OMPIC, Central Commercial Register services, read 30 August 2026
- DirectEntreprise, official services, read 30 August 2026
An accurate record for each establishment
Once validated, attach the right identity to the corresponding outlet’s documents and operations.
Read next
Other practical guides on the same subject:
- Morocco’s Trade Register: register, amend and keep the file current
- Morocco’s tax identifier: where to find it, what to check and what it does not prove
- Professional tax in Morocco: prepare the activity and establishment registration
- Branch, subsidiary or establishment: which structure should you choose?