The practical checks that separate a genuine exporter from a risky or fraudulent one — before any money changes hands.
A legitimate exporter can produce GST and IEC registration without hesitation. Vague answers or delays are a warning sign.
Urgency to collect 100% payment before any verification or sampling is one of the most common scam patterns.
A quote far below what comparable manufacturers offer for the same specification is more often a red flag than a genuine advantage.
Be cautious of suppliers who operate only through messaging apps with no traceable business address or past shipping record.
1. Business registration — GST number and IEC (Import Export Code), which can be checked against government portals.
2. Factory verification — a visit if feasible, or a virtual audit (video walkthrough) if not.
3. Sample evaluation — a physical sample assessed against your spec before committing to a bulk order.
4. References — prior international buyers, if the manufacturer is willing to share (not always possible, but worth asking).
5. Payment structure — split payments tied to production milestones, not full advance.
All of the above is doable independently if you have time and, ideally, someone on the ground in India. If you don't, a managed sourcing partner absorbs this verification work as part of the process — see how IMCOTO's managed sourcing model works for the specifics.
Send your requirement and we'll match you with a verified option from our Delhi-NCR network.