A locking unit (10) for a vehicle seat (1) includes a pawl (80) which is mounted pivotably about a pivot axis between an open position and a closed position and has a retaining contour (27) for securing a locking pin (12) in the closed position. At least one claw (90, 91, 92) is mounted pivotably about the same pivot axis in a manner offset in the axial direction with respect to the pawl (80). The claw (90, 91, 92) has a closing contour (25). The pawl (80) is pivotable from the open position into the closed position by the closing contour (25) being acted upon by the locking pin (12).