Rate limit increase request — legitimate B2B SaaS platform with variable user demand

API Issues
1

Hi,

I run a UK business acquisition platform that uses the Companies House API to surface PSC data and company profiles for professional users researching acquisition targets.

Our current setup:

  • All CH API calls are made server-side (never from the browser)

  • Results are cached server-side for several hours to avoid repeat calls for the same data

  • Calls are user-triggered only — no automated bulk scraping

  • Monthly search credits on our subscription plans naturally gate total consumption

Our challenge is that usage scales with concurrent active users, and as the platform grows we want to ensure we stay well within acceptable limits during peak periods — we’d rather plan the architecture correctly now than hit issues later.

Two questions for the CH team or anyone with relevant experience:

  1. Is there a formal process to request a higher rate limit, and if so what does CH need to assess it?

  2. What is the realistic upper ceiling that CH has granted to legitimate commercial API consumers? We’re not looking for unlimited access — just want to understand the range so we can architect sensibly.

Happy to provide full details of our platform, caching architecture and registered company information through the appropriate channel with CH advisors.

Thanks

2

Hi, from the docs:

You can make up to 600 requests within a 5 minute period. If you exceed this limit, you will receive a 429 Too Many Requests HTTP status code for each request made within the rest of the 5 minute time frame. At the end of the period, your rate limit will reset back to 600 requests.

If you have an application that requires a higher rate limit than this default, contact us.

3

Hi, thank you so much for your response, and to answer your question i do have an application that requires a higher rate limit.

Having looked at the contact us options I end up with the chat that is unable to categorise my question and the previously emailed address that directed me here. (sorry i may be doing something wrong here)

is there any way to have a private DM conversation, would you need my email or are you able to facilitate this directly within this system? if you are able to let me know key criteria i am very happy to share to clarify my request

thank you in advance
Jamie

4

Hi, sorry that didn’t help.
I don’t actually work for CH, just a fellow developer.

I know this email is manned: bulkproducts@companieshouse.gov.uk

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5

thank you! i appreciate the advice and spending the time to help

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