How to Verify an Indian Exporter or Importer: A 9-Point Checklist (2026)
Verify any Indian exporter or importer with nine free checks: IEC, GSTIN, MCA records, Denied Entity List, bank details and red flags. Includes a printable scorecard.
One Source IE Knowledgebase · Guide 2
How to Verify an Indian Exporter or Importer: A 9-Point Checklist (2026)
A free, official-sources-only checklist to verify an Indian exporter or importer before you pay, ship or place an order. It covers nine checks: IEC and Denied Entity List status on DGFT, PAN-IEC-GSTIN consistency, GST registration and return filing, MCA company records, Udyam and sector licences, bank details, track record and certificates of origin, physical and digital footprint, and red-flag and payment-safety screening. Includes a printable scorecard and the 2026 fake-buyer scam pattern. Checked against official sources on 5 October 2026.
To verify an Indian exporter or importer, confirm who they are, that they legally exist and are in good standing, and that the money will go to the right place. Ask for their IEC (which equals their PAN), their GSTIN and, if they are a company or LLP, their CIN or LLPIN. Check all three on the free official portals (DGFT, GST portal, MCA), confirm the names and addresses match, then check the bank account, track record and warning signs before you pay, ship or place an order.
This guide is written for overseas buyers checking an Indian supplier, Indian exporters checking a buyer, and anyone sourcing from or selling to an Indian importer. It includes a portal cheat sheet, a printable scorecard and a map of which check catches which kind of fraud.
The 10-minute check
If you only have ten minutes, do these five things. If any one fails, stop and ask questions.
- Get the company’s IEC or PAN and look it up on DGFT’s Know Your IEC. Name, address and status must match, and the IEC must be active.
- Get the GSTIN and check it on the GST portal’s Search Taxpayer page. Status must be Active, and the legal name and state must match.
- Compare the three: the IEC, the PAN and characters 3 to 12 of the GSTIN must be the same ten characters.
- If it is a company or LLP, check its MCA master data. Status must be Active, and the directors and registered office must match.
- Confirm that the bank account name on their proforma invoice is the same legal name.
This catches most fake and cloned businesses. It does not prove the firm is honest or capable, which is why the full checklist follows.
What changed in 2026: the live tracker
Verification tools and fraud patterns both move. These are the 2026 developments that affect how you check a counterparty, with the date we last verified them and when we will look again.
| Date | Status | What changed | What it means for verification | Official reference | Next check |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Oct 2026 | In force | FEMA Export and Import of Goods and Services Regulations, 2026 began. Export proceeds must be realised through authorised dealer banks within 9 months (12 for rupee exports). | Treat any request to pay a third party, a personal account or another country as a red flag. A genuine exporter receives proceeds in its own account through its bank. | RBI notification FEMA 23(R)/2026-RB, as amended 22 Sep 2026 | Monthly |
| 21 Aug 2026 | In force | DGFT eased One Star Export House eligibility (any two of the three preceding financial years). Expect more firms to advertise Export House status. | A status claim is a lead, not proof. Ask for the certificate and check the status in the firm’s IEC profile where it is displayed. | DGFT Notification 33/2026-27 | On new DGFT notices |
| Jun 2026 | Reported | Delhi Police raided a fake call centre in Dwarka and arrested nine people accused of running a fake-foreign-buyer racket aimed at exporters: a small registration fee, a promised 50% advance, then demands for certification or IEC charges before the wire could clear. | Never pay any fee to receive an order or an advance. Read the scam section below. | The420.in report, 25 Jun 2026 | Monthly |
| 15 Jul 2026 onwards | In force | New trade agreements (UK from 15 Jul, Oman from 1 Jun, New Zealand scheduled 20 Oct 2026) mean more buyers will ask for preferential certificates of origin. | Verify every certificate of origin by QR code or certificate number before relying on it. | DGFT common digital platform for eCoO | On FTA entry into force |
| Every April to June | Recurring | IEC holders must confirm their details annually. An IEC that was not updated in the latest window can be deactivated. | On the IEC lookup, read the status and the last-updated date, and ask the firm to explain a stale date. | DGFT IEC annual updation rule | April 2027 |
Last verified: 5 October 2026. Status key: In force Reported by media Recurring
The 9-point checklist
Work through these in order. Checks 1 to 4 prove the entity exists and is in good standing; checks 5 to 8 test whether it is what it claims to be; check 9 protects your money. Save a screenshot and the date for each result.
Check 1: IEC and Denied Entity List status
- Ask for the firm’s IEC. It is the same ten-character code as its PAN. DGFT’s lookup works on the IEC or PAN, not on the company name.
- Enter it on Know Your IEC. Note the firm name, address, IEC status and the last-updated date. Trade guides report that the result also shows a Denied Entity List (DEL) flag and any Export House status; layouts change, so read what the portal displays.
- Ask for the IEC certificate and scan its QR code. Compare the details with what you see online.
Good sign: The IEC is active, the name and address match the firm you are dealing with, it has been updated recently and it is not shown as a denied entity.
Stop and ask if: The IEC is inactive or not found, the name or address differs, the last update is stale, or the DEL flag is set. A DEL entry is a serious warning because it restricts trade privileges, but it can be challenged and reversed, so ask for an explanation rather than assuming fraud.
Check 2: PAN, IEC and GSTIN must agree
- A GSTIN has 15 characters: two for the state code (for example 33 for Tamil Nadu or 27 for Maharashtra), then the 10-character PAN, then an entity number, a Z and a check character. Example pattern: XXAAAAA9999A1ZX.
- The IEC, the PAN and characters 3 to 12 of the GSTIN must be identical.
- Read the fourth character of the PAN, which shows the entity type: P individual or proprietor, C company, F firm or LLP, H Hindu undivided family, A association of persons, T trust. It should fit what the firm claims to be. A company that gives you a ‘P’ PAN is a proprietor, not a company.
Good sign: All three numbers agree and the entity type fits the firm’s description.
Stop and ask if: The numbers belong to different entities, the PAN type contradicts the claimed structure, or the state code is far from the address they gave.
Check 3: GST registration and return filing
- Enter the GSTIN and the captcha. Check legal name, trade name, status (Active, Cancelled or Suspended), constitution of business, taxpayer type, date of registration and the principal place of business.
- Scroll to the Return Filing Status table. An Active registration that files nothing is a warning sign.
- Note how new the registration is. A registration only a few weeks old with a very large claimed history does not add up.
Good sign: Active status, legal name matching the contract, a plausible registration date, an address matching the other records and regular return filing.
Stop and ask if: Cancelled or suspended status, a name or address mismatch, a very recent registration, a composition-scheme taxpayer claiming large export volumes, or no filing history. Remember that the portal shows only the current status, never the history, so re-check before every large order.
Check 4: Company, LLP or firm record (MCA)
- For a company, enter the CIN (21 characters) or name; for an LLP, the LLPIN. Check status (Active, strike-off, under liquidation or dormant), incorporation date, registered office, directors and their DINs, and the index of charges.
- Compare the directors and registered office with the people and address you have been dealing with, and look at how recently the firm filed its annual returns.
- For a proprietorship or ordinary partnership there is no MCA record. Lean harder on checks 1, 3, 6 and 8, and ask for the partnership deed or proprietor’s PAN and identity proof.
Good sign: Status Active, directors and address match, a steady filing record and no alarming charges.
Stop and ask if: No record for a firm that calls itself a limited company, status struck off or under liquidation, directors you were never told about, or a registered office that is only a mailing address.
Check 5: Udyam registration and sector licences
- Ask which registrations apply to the product. Request the certificate number, not just a PDF.
- Verify each number on the issuing body’s own site, or through the Udyam portal for MSME status, and check the name and validity date.
- Match the product on the licence to the product being sold.
Good sign: Every licence the product needs is current, in the same legal name, and covers the product on offer.
Stop and ask if: A licence that cannot be looked up, a different legal name, an expired date, or a licence for a different product.
Check 6: Bank details and payment route
- The account must be in the exact legal name of the entity you verified. Compare the name, bank and branch on the proforma invoice with the contract.
- Ask for a short bank reference or a bank certificate on letterhead, and call the bank on a number you found independently.
- If bank details change mid-deal, do not act on an email. Phone the person you know, on a number you already had, and confirm in writing.
- For letters of credit, have your own bank confirm the instrument with the issuing bank. Never rely on a copy the other side sends you.
Good sign: A business current account in the legal name, a consistent bank trail and a bank willing to confirm basic details.
Stop and ask if: A personal account, an account in a different name or country, urgency to pay today, or a late change of bank details.
Check 7: Track record and certificates of origin
- Ask for two or three trade references and for redacted evidence of past shipments, such as bills of lading, shipping bills or bank realisation certificates. Contact the referees yourself.
- For an exporter who claims preferential-duty experience, ask for sample certificates of origin and verify them: scan the QR code or key the certificate number on the platform’s verification page.
- Trade-data platforms can show shipment history. Treat them as indicative, because names are often recorded loosely.
Good sign: References who respond and confirm, documents that match the firm’s size and product, and certificates that verify.
Stop and ask if: References that are all webmail addresses or unreachable, documents with inconsistent dates or values, or certificates that cannot be verified.
Check 8: Physical and digital footprint
- Confirm that the address on the IEC, GST and MCA records is the same place on a map, and that the business actually operates there. Ask for a live video tour of the premises and production line, not a recorded one.
- Check the website’s domain age with a public domain lookup and whether the email addresses use the company’s own domain. A new domain is a flag, not proof of fraud.
- For a new supplier, hire an independent inspection agency to visit the unit and inspect goods before shipment. Ask your country’s trade office or the Indian mission’s commercial wing whether they can help with credentials.
Good sign: One consistent address across the records, a live tour that matches, an established domain with company email, and a willingness to allow inspection.
Stop and ask if: A virtual office or residential address for a claimed factory, refusal of a live video call or inspection, or free-mail addresses for a firm claiming large volumes.
Check 9: Red-flag and payment-safety screen
- Run through the red-flag list in this guide. One flag means ask questions; several mean walk away.
- Screen the company and its owners against sanctions lists that apply to you, such as OFAC, the UN and EU lists, if you trade internationally.
- Agree safer terms for a first order (see the section on safer terms) and put everything in a written contract.
Good sign: No red flags, a clean sanctions screen and a contract that protects both sides.
Stop and ask if: Pressure to hurry, requests for upfront fees or third-party payments, or reluctance to put terms in writing.
Portal cheat sheet
One table with every tool in this guide, so you can verify without hunting.
| Tool | What you enter | What it shows | Red flag | Where |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DGFT Know Your IEC | IEC or PAN (not company name) | Firm name, address, IEC status, last update, DEL flag and Export House status as displayed | Inactive, mismatch, stale update, DEL flag | dgft.gov.in |
| GST Search Taxpayer | GSTIN or PAN | Legal and trade name, status, taxpayer type, registration date, jurisdiction, return filing | Cancelled or suspended, no filings, very new | gst.gov.in |
| MCA master data | CIN, LLPIN or name | Status, directors, registered office, capital, charges, filing record | No record, struck off, liquidation, mismatch | mca.gov.in |
| Udyam portal | Udyam number | MSME registration and category | Cannot be verified, wrong name | udyamregistration.gov.in |
| eCoO verification | QR code or certificate number | Whether a certificate of origin was issued, to whom and for what | Not found, details differ from shipment | Linked from dgft.gov.in |
| ICEGATE | Your customs broker can check shipping bills you are shown | Whether a shipping bill is genuine (your broker or bank can confirm) | Shipping bill the broker cannot trace | icegate.gov.in |
| Your bank | Account details, letters of credit | Name match, instrument authenticity | Name mismatch, unverifiable LC | Your relationship manager |
| GLEIF search (overseas) | Company name or LEI | Global legal-entity record where an LEI exists | No record for a large claimed entity | search.gleif.org |
Portal menus and layouts change. If a path differs, search the portal for the tool name. Always confirm on the official site.
Printable verification scorecard
Score each counterparty, save the evidence and keep it in your file. A record also helps if a dispute arises or a bank or auditor asks how you checked.
| Check | What must be true | Result (Pass, Partial, Fail) | Date checked | Evidence saved |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | IEC active, details match, no DEL flag | |||
| 2 | IEC = PAN = GSTIN characters 3 to 12; entity type fits | |||
| 3 | GSTIN active; name, address match; returns filed | |||
| 4 | MCA status active; directors and address match (or proprietor identity confirmed) | |||
| 5 | Udyam and sector licences verified for this product | |||
| 6 | Bank account in legal name; bank reference obtained | |||
| 7 | References contacted; origin certificates verified | |||
| 8 | Address confirmed; live video tour; inspection arranged | |||
| 9 | No red flags; sanctions screen clear; written contract |
How to read your scorecard
- Stop Any Fail on checks 1 to 4 means the entity cannot be confirmed to exist in good standing. Do not proceed.
- Resolve Any Partial result means ask the counterparty for evidence, and re-score before paying.
- Proceed All nine at Pass allows you to proceed, still on safer terms for a first order.
Print this page for your supplier file. The scorecard is laid out to print cleanly. Keep screenshots with the date, because portal statuses change.
Importer, exporter and overseas-buyer checks
The nine checks are the same on the Indian side. What changes is the extra work for your role.
If you are verifying an Indian exporter (you are the buyer)
Do all nine checks. Pay particular attention to check 5 (licences for the product), check 7 (references and origin certificates) and check 8 (inspection before shipment). Ask for the exporter’s AD bank details and confirm that payment will go to a business account in its legal name.
If you are verifying an Indian importer (you are the seller)
An importer in India must hold an IEC to import, so checks 1 to 4 apply in full. Add three more:
- Ability to pay. Ask for a bank reference and trade references from other suppliers, and consider a credit report. Do not ship on open account to a new importer.
- Consignee details. Make sure the consignee name, IEC and GSTIN on your documents are exactly those you verified.
- Payment security. Prefer an irrevocable letter of credit confirmed through your own bank for a first order, or advance payment.
If you are an Indian exporter verifying an overseas buyer
- Legal existence. Search the buyer’s national company register. For the UK that is Companies House; for the EU, check VAT numbers on VIES; for many countries OpenCorporates and the Legal Entity Identifier (LEI) lookup help.
- Sanctions. Screen the company and its owners against OFAC, UN and EU lists.
- Credit and country risk. Take ECGC cover or a bank’s status enquiry before extending credit. Ask the Indian mission’s commercial wing for help in the buyer’s country.
- Payment route. Under FEMA the money must reach your account through your AD bank within nine months of shipment (twelve for rupee exports), so a buyer who wants to pay through a third party or in an unusual way is a problem.
Red flags
No single sign proves fraud, but these patterns appear again and again in real cases.
- Urgency: the deal must close today or the offer disappears.
- A request for an upfront fee, registration charge, certificate fee or ‘clearance’ payment before an advance or order is released.
- A buyer who offers a large advance but asks you to pay for ISO, CTPAT or IEC documents first.
- Payment to a personal account, a third party or a different country from the one the company is in.
- Bank details that change mid-deal, especially by email.
- An overpayment followed by a request to refund the difference.
- A letter of credit copy sent by the other side that your own bank cannot confirm with the issuing bank.
- A very large first order from a company with no history, no references and a new website.
- Free-mail addresses (Gmail, Yahoo and similar) for a firm claiming a large factory or import business.
- Refusal of a live video call, a site visit or independent inspection.
- A registered address that is a residence, a co-working desk or a mailing address for a claimed factory.
- Documents with spelling errors, inconsistent dates or logos, or certificates that cannot be verified.
- A price far below the market, or terms that are unusually generous to you.
- A claimed ‘government consultant’ charging large fees for an IEC or incentive that you can obtain yourself.
Scams and the checks that catch them
Most trade fraud follows a few scripts. Each is stopped by one or more of the nine checks.
| Scam | How it works | Which checks catch it |
|---|---|---|
| Fake buyer and upfront fee | Asks you to pay a registration, certificate or clearance fee, then promises a large advance | Checks 6 and 9; verify the buyer’s company record; never pay to receive an order |
| Cloned or shell company | Uses a real company’s name with fake contact details, or a company that exists only on paper | Checks 1 to 4 and 8; the address, directors and bank must agree across records |
| Payment diversion | An email changes the bank account on an invoice | Check 6; phone-verify any change using a number you already held |
| Fake letter of credit | A forged LC copy convinces you to ship | Check 6; confirm every LC through your own bank with the issuing bank |
| Overpayment and refund | A cheque or transfer exceeds the invoice and you are asked to refund the difference | Check 6; do not refund until funds are cleared and traceable |
| Non-delivery by a supplier | A supplier takes an advance and ships nothing or substitutes poor goods | Checks 1 to 8; start small and use inspection and staged payments |
| Fake consultants and incentives | Agents charge a lot for an IEC, a licence or an incentive | Apply on official portals; check what an agent adds to the government fee |
A 2026 pattern to recognise
In June 2026 a news report described a Delhi Police raid on a fake call centre in Dwarka, where nine people were arrested for targeting exporters with fake foreign buyers. According to the report, victims were first charged a small registration fee. A “buyer” then confirmed a large export contract and a 50% advance. Before the wire could clear, the exporter was told to upload expensive certifications such as ISO, CTPAT or IEC clearances, and to pay for them. The report is a useful reminder: a real buyer does not charge you to receive an order, and your IEC costs only the government fee you pay yourself on the DGFT portal.
Source: The420.in, 25 June 2026. This describes allegations in a news report; the facts are for the courts to decide.
What these checks cannot tell you
- Honesty and capability. Registers show a firm exists and files returns. They do not show it can deliver quality on time.
- History. The GST portal shows only the current status. A firm that was suspended last year may look clean today.
- Timing. Registers can lag. A company that stopped operating recently may still show Active.
- Personal identity. A real company’s name can be used by a fraudster. That is why the address, bank account and a live video call matter.
- Financial strength. For large or credit orders, add a credit report, bank reference and trade insurance.
Verification lowers risk; it does not remove it. Combine it with secure payment terms, a clear written contract and, for large orders, inspection and insurance.
Safer terms while you verify
| Situation | Safer approach |
|---|---|
| First order, new supplier | Small trial order; pay in stages against independent inspection; or an irrevocable LC confirmed through your own bank |
| First order, new buyer (Indian exporter) | Advance payment or a confirmed LC; consider ECGC cover for any credit |
| Repeat order, verified party | Documents against payment or acceptance with insurance; review credit limits regularly |
| Anything involving an upfront ‘release’ or ‘clearance’ fee | Decline. Genuine orders do not require it |
Put price, quantity, specification, inspection, delivery, payment terms and dispute resolution in a written contract. For deadlines and payment rules, read Guide 1: How to start an export business in India in 2026.
Using LinksIndia safely
LinksIndia is a B2B directory that connects buyers and sellers directly. It is not a party to any deal between them, so verify every business you find here, or anywhere else, with the checks in this guide before you pay, ship or place an order.
If you are a genuine exporter or importer, make it easy for buyers to trust you: publish your legal name, address, IEC, GSTIN and certifications on your profile, and be ready to share them.
Looking for Indian exporters, importers, suppliers or manufacturers? Browse company profiles with products, certifications and contact details, then run the checklist.
Glossary
AD bank
Authorised dealer bank permitted to handle foreign exchange; exports proceeds come through it.
CIN and LLPIN
Corporate Identification Number (companies, 21 characters) and LLP Identification Number.
CoO
Certificate of Origin, proof of where goods were made, now issued electronically with a QR code.
DEL
Denied Entity List maintained by DGFT of IEC holders restricted from trade privileges.
DIN
Director Identification Number issued to company directors.
DGFT
Directorate General of Foreign Trade, which issues the IEC.
GSTIN
15-character GST identification number, which contains the PAN.
IEC
Importer Exporter Code, a PAN-based number issued by DGFT.
LC
Letter of credit, a bank’s undertaking to pay against compliant documents.
LEI
Legal Entity Identifier, a global 20-character code for legal entities, searchable for free.
MCA
Ministry of Corporate Affairs, which keeps the register of companies and LLPs.
PAN
Permanent Account Number, the tax identifier that IEC and GSTIN are built on.
RCMC
Registration-cum-membership certificate from an export promotion council or commodity board.
Udyam
Government registration for micro, small and medium enterprises.
VIES
EU system for validating VAT numbers of EU businesses.
Official sources directory
Always confirm on the issuing portal. These are the sites this guide relies on.
| Source | Use it for |
|---|---|
| DGFT (Know Your IEC, eCoO) | IEC lookup, Denied Entity List, certificates of origin |
| GST portal | Search Taxpayer by GSTIN or PAN |
| MCA portal | Company and LLP master data |
| Udyam registration | MSME registration |
| ICEGATE | Customs gateway |
| Reserve Bank of India | FEMA rules for export proceeds |
| ECGC | Export credit insurance |
| FSSAI | Food business licences |
| Bureau of Indian Standards | Product certification licences |
| GLEIF LEI search | Global legal entity records |
| EU VIES | EU VAT number validation |
| OpenCorporates | International company registers |
| OFAC sanctions search | US sanctions screening |
Frequently asked questions
How do I verify an Importer Exporter Code (IEC)?
Use the Know Your IEC service on the DGFT portal (dgft.gov.in, under Services and then IEC Profile Management). Enter the IEC, which is the same as the entity’s PAN, and check that the firm name, address and status match what you were told and that the IEC is active and not marked on the Denied Entity List. The IEC certificate also carries a QR code you can scan.
Can I search for an IEC by company name?
No. DGFT’s lookup works with the IEC or PAN, not the company name. Ask the company for its IEC or PAN and then verify it, or cross-check the PAN embedded in its GSTIN.
Are the IEC, PAN and GSTIN connected?
Yes. The IEC is the same number as the entity’s PAN, and characters 3 to 12 of a 15-character GSTIN are also the PAN. If the IEC, the PAN and the middle of the GSTIN do not match, the details belong to different entities or are fabricated.
What does a cancelled or suspended GSTIN mean for a deal?
A cancelled or suspended registration means the business is not in good standing with the tax authorities. Do not deal on credit and do not claim input tax credit on its invoices until the supplier explains and the status is restored. The GST portal shows only the current status, so re-check before every large order.
How do I check whether a company is genuine on the MCA portal?
Open View Company/LLP Master Data on mca.gov.in, enter the CIN, LLPIN or name, and check that the status is Active, the registered office and directors match what you were given, and recent filings are up to date. Proprietorships and ordinary partnership firms are not on the MCA register, so use GST, IEC and bank checks for them.
What are the most common import-export scams in India?
The most common are fake buyers who ask for an upfront fee or certificate, advance-fee requests presented as taxes or clearance charges, fake letters of credit, overpayment-and-refund tricks, payment-diversion emails that change bank details, and fake IEC or incentive consultants.
Is a professional-looking website proof that a company is genuine?
No. Websites, brochures and certificates can be copied or invented. Treat the website as a lead, then confirm identity with the official registers and confirm the bank account name matches the legal entity.
How do I verify a Certificate of Origin?
Indian certificates of origin are issued electronically through DGFT’s common digital platform and carry a QR code. Scan the code, or enter the certificate number on the platform’s verification page, and check that the exporter, goods and date match the shipment.
How long does a full verification take?
The core identity checks on DGFT, the GST portal and MCA take about 10 to 15 minutes and cost nothing. Track-record, bank and physical checks can take a few days. Do the full nine checks before any order that is large or on credit terms.
Which payment terms are safest while I am still verifying?
For a new Indian supplier, a small trial order, a letter of credit issued by a recognised bank and checked directly with your own bank, or payment in stages against third-party inspection are safer than a large advance. Never pay a fee to release or clear an order you have not yet received.
Does LinksIndia verify the businesses it lists?
LinksIndia is a B2B directory that connects buyers and sellers directly and is not a party to any deal between them. Use the checklist in this guide to verify any business you find, here or elsewhere, before you pay, ship or place an order.
Knowledgebase series and change log
How to verify an Indian exporter or importer: 9-point checklist
Export Promotion Mission explained: Niryat Protsahan and Niryat Disha
Change log
| Date | Update |
|---|---|
| 5 Oct 2026 | First published. Verified: DGFT Know Your IEC, GST Search Taxpayer and MCA master data workflows; FEMA nine-month rule in force from 1 Oct 2026; One Star Export House change (Notification 33/2026-27); fake-buyer racket report of June 2026. |
We re-check the tracker on the dates in its Next check column. If you spot something outdated, tell us through the contact page.
Disclaimer. LinksIndia is an independent directory and not a government body. This guide is general information and not legal, financial or investigative advice. Verification reduces risk but cannot remove it. Confirm with official sources or a qualified professional before acting.
Founder of BRUsoft and LinksIndia.co.in — helping Indian businesses build their brand online with custom websites and direct lead generation.
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