Buyer's Guide
How to Verify an Indian Supplier's Export Credentials Before You Pay
Registration claims are only useful if you actually verify them. Most of the credentials relevant to Indian export are independently checkable through official government resources — here's what to check and how.
IEC (Import Export Code)
An IEC, issued by India's Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), is required for any business conducting cross-border trade from India. Ask for the IEC number and confirm it corresponds to the legal entity you're actually contracting with — not just a trade name used on marketing materials.
APEDA and FSSAI
Where relevant to the product category, these can be verified through their respective official portals using the registration or license number the supplier provides. See our APEDA vs FSSAI guide for what each one actually covers and doesn't.
GST Registration
India's GST (Goods & Services Tax) registration number follows a checkable format and is publicly verifiable through the GST portal. A legitimate, actively operating business should be able to provide this without hesitation.
What's Harder to Verify Remotely
Physical facility conditions, actual production capacity, and day-to-day quality control practices are much harder to confirm from documentation alone. For a first order of meaningful size, a third-party pre-shipment inspection (an independent inspector checking the goods before they're shipped) is a reasonable additional step if the order value justifies the cost — and a supplier confident in their product typically has no objection to it.
A Simple Sequence to Follow
- Request the specific registration numbers relevant to your product category
- Cross-check them against the relevant official portal yourself, rather than trusting a screenshot or PDF alone
- Request a sample before any commercial commitment
- For larger first orders, consider an independent pre-shipment inspection
Related Reading
Compliance Reference
APEDA vs FSSAI Explained
A plain-language explanation of APEDA and FSSAI registration — what each covers, why a supplier needs both, and how to verify them yourself before you order.
Buyer's Guide
Red Flags When Evaluating an Indian Spice Exporter
Warning signs worth taking seriously when vetting an Indian spice or agri export supplier — before you commit to a sample or a first order.
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