Guide
Before you send a deposit to a new supplier, or ship to a new buyer, check them. A few minutes of checking costs less than one bad shipment.
Last checked: November 2026
Please note: Rules, duty rates and procedures change. Check the position in force on the date of your shipment. We are consultants, not a law firm.
The short answer
- Check that the company is real and the name matches the invoice.
- Check the import-export and tax registrations.
- Check that the bank account is in the company's name.
- Start with a small first order and a part-payment.
What to verify
- Company registration. Is it a registered company, and does the name match the invoice?
- Import-export registration. An Indian importer needs an Importer-Exporter Code (IEC), which can be checked on the government's trade portal.
- Tax registration. In India, a GST number can be checked on the GST portal.
- Bank account. Be careful about last-minute changes to bank details.
- History. Ask for references and earlier shipments. Be wary of pressure to pay quickly.
- Start small. A first order with a part-payment is safer than a large advance.
Warning signs
- The buyer or supplier will not share registration details.
- Bank details change just before payment.
- Prices are far below the market.
- Pressure to pay quickly or to avoid written terms.
Limits of these checks
None of this guarantees safety, but it removes most of the common traps. For a larger order, add bank references or a credit report.
Planning a first shipment to or from India?
We check your documents and registrations before you commit.
Common questions
How do I check an Indian IEC?
Search for the Importer-Exporter Code on the government's trade portal (DGFT) and check that the name and address match the company on the invoice. Also ask for a copy of the certificate.
Is a part-payment safer than full advance?
For a first order, usually yes. A part-payment limits what you can lose. Agree the balance against documents or an inspection, so that both sides are protected.
What are the warning signs of a trade scam?
Common signs are a buyer or supplier who will not share registration details, bank details that change just before payment, prices far below the market, and pressure to pay quickly or to avoid written terms.
Related on this site
- Shipment Readiness Check
- Exim Compliance Desk
- Contact us
- Getting paid safely: Letters of Credit, open account and cargo insurance
- Product rules and certifications before you export to India
Talk to us
Send us two lines on WhatsApp: the goods, the port or country, and what you need. We tell you what we need from you and our fee, in writing, before any work starts. We reply within one working day (Monday to Saturday, 10 AM to 7 PM IST).
Multimodal Logistic Systems Pvt. Ltd., Pune, India. Written by Shankar Jha, Customs and EXIM consultant with 27+ years of experience. Rules and notifications change; we check those in force on the date of your query.