# What is a CAGE code? A CAGE (Commercial and Government Entity) code is a five-character identifier the Defense Logistics Agency assigns to entities that do business with the federal government. US entities get one automatically, at no cost, when they register in SAM.gov. The code identifies a specific facility at a specific location, so one company can hold several CAGE codes for different sites.Checked on 2026-11-12.Official source: [DLA CAGE program](https://cage.dla.mil/) | Term | CAGE code | | --- | --- | | Source | DLA CAGE program | ## CAGE code meaning A CAGE (Commercial and Government Entity) code is a five-character identifier the Defense Logistics Agency assigns to entities that do business with the federal government. US entities get one automatically, at no cost, when they register in SAM.gov.The code identifies a specific facility at a specific location, so one company can hold several CAGE codes for different sites. It appears on contracts, in parts and logistics data and in the National Stock Number system. Foreign entities get an NCAGE code from their own national codification bureau before registering in SAM.gov. In the 1 Nov 2026 public extract, 810,339 of 911,820 SAM.gov records carried a CAGE code. ## Questions Is a CAGE code public?Yes. CAGE codes are part of the public SAM.gov record and of DLA's CAGE search, so anyone can look one up.Does a CAGE code expire?The code stays with the facility, but DLA requires the record behind it to be kept current; for SAM.gov registrants that happens through the yearly SAM.gov renewal. ## Related - [CAGE code lookup](https://samgovapi.io/cage-code-lookup) - [UEI number](https://samgovapi.io/glossary/uei-number) - [How to get a CAGE code](https://samgovapi.io/guides/how-to-get-a-cage-code) - [Glossary](https://samgovapi.io/glossary)Updated 2026-11-12. Sources checked 2026-11-12.Independent. Not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by GSA, SAM.gov or any U.S. government agency. Registering in SAM.gov is free at sam.gov.

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