Ask the agent for their registration numbers and check them yourself on the official Indian government portals. Do not rely on a scanned certificate or a logo on a website, because both are easy to fake.
Then check that the legal name, the address and the bank account all match each other. A real business has the same name in every record.
Where to check
As of October 2026, these official sources let you look up an Indian business by its number. Menu names change from time to time, so search the portal if a link moves.
- Importer-Exporter Code (IEC): the Directorate General of Foreign Trade website, dgft.gov.in, has an option to view IEC details by number.
- Udyam registration: the Udyam portal, udyamregistration.gov.in, has a Verify Udyam Registration Number option. Lookup is by number, not by name.
- GST registration: the GST portal, gst.gov.in, has a Search Taxpayer option that works without logging in and shows the legal name, trade name, status and principal place of business.
- Companies and LLPs: the Ministry of Corporate Affairs website, mca.gov.in, shows master data for registered companies and limited liability partnerships.
What to compare
- The legal name on each register should match the name on the agent's contract and invoice.
- The status should be active, not cancelled or suspended.
- The address should be consistent across registers, or the agent should explain the difference.
- The bank account for the agent's fee should be in the same legal name.
- The person you deal with should be able to show their link to the business.
What registration does not prove
A registration proves that a business exists and has registered with a government body. It does not prove that the agent is competent, honest or independent of factories. Each registration also proves something different, which is explained in what registrations an Indian sourcing agent should have.
So treat registration as the first filter, not the last. Ask for references from other overseas buyers and speak to them. Ask for a sample audit or inspection report, with confidential details removed. Ask who pays the agent and get the answer in the contract. The warning signs to watch for are listed in red flags when choosing a sourcing agent.
A video call helps
A short video call with the person who will run your orders tells you more than an email chain. Ask them to walk you through a recent inspection or audit, and how they handled a problem. Specific, detailed answers are hard to fake.
Next step
We are registered with the Government of India for export trade (IEC) and as a small enterprise (Udyam). Ask us for our numbers and check them yourself. To start, book a free sourcing review.