How to verify an Indian manufacturer before buying

A quotation and a registration number do not establish that a supplier can make your product. Verification should connect the legal counterparty, factory, export role, bank account, specification, and proposed order.

1. Confirm the legal counterparty

Ask for the exact legal name, entity type, registered address, Corporate Identity Number or LLP number, GSTIN, and bank beneficiary.

The Ministry of Corporate Affairs provides a View Company/LLP Master Data service. The GST Portal taxpayer search can show the legal and trade names, registration status, constitution, and principal place of business associated with a GSTIN.

Compare those results with the quotation, invoice, contract, and bank instructions. Matching names confirm identity data. They leave factory ownership and production ability still open.

2. Confirm who exports and who manufactures

Ask which entity will issue the commercial invoice, receive payment, manufacture the goods, and file the export. If the roles differ, request documents explaining the relationship.

DGFT’s View Any IEC service allows an Importer Exporter Code and firm name to be checked, including its DEL status. An active IEC supports the exporter’s identity. It still leaves open whether that company owns the factory named in the sales material.

3. Match capability to the product

Build the verification checklist from the order:

Required processes, machines, tooling, and test equipment
Material or component controls
Dimensions, tolerances, performance, and approved sample
Relevant production history and traceable records
Planned capacity, subcontracting, and critical suppliers
In-process and final quality controls

Request dated, product-specific evidence. Generic factory photos and certificates do not answer whether the proposed line can meet your specification and volume.

4. Use a site visit for observable facts

A site visit can confirm that the address exists and document the equipment, personnel, materials, workflow, records, and sample production observed at that time. It should also compare the factory identity with the invoice issuer and exporter.

The report must state what was seen, which evidence was missing, and which claims stay open. One visit records a place and a date. It cannot certify every future shipment.

5. Test commercial control before the deposit

Issue a written specification and ask the supplier to confirm deviations, lead time assumptions, inspection point, corrective-action process, payment milestones, and required shipping documents.

Unexplained beneficiary changes, pressure to pay before questions are answered, or refusal to document the factory relationship are pause signals. Resolve them before funds leave.

Sources

Ministry of Corporate Affairs, FAQs on New MCA Website, accessed July 28, 2026
GST Portal, Search Taxpayer manual, accessed July 28, 2026
Directorate General of Foreign Trade, View Any IEC, accessed July 28, 2026

Insights contain general business information and do not constitute legal, tax, customs, regulatory or technical advice.