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Find candidates through credible discovery channels, then verify each business, its authority, operating ability and payment details independently. A directory entry, certificate or polished offer is a starting point—not proof that a supplier can deliver or that a distributor can reach your market. The checks that matter depend on the country, product and size of the commitment.
Where to find candidates
Start by defining the product or service, destination country, required role (supplier, exporter, manufacturer or distributor), and the capabilities you need. That keeps a broad search from producing a shortlist of businesses that are not legally or commercially suited to the transaction.
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India
- Trade Connect / Source from India: The Government of India describes Trade Connect as a source of trade information, services, market intelligence and institutional support. Its Source from India facility is intended to help buyers discover eligible Indian exporters and review their profiles. Eligibility rules and features can change, so check the live platform before relying on it.
- APEDA Exporter’s Directory: Use its product search and filters, such as state and exporter type, for products and exporters within APEDA’s remit. It is not a general directory for every Indian industry.
- Sector contacts and official trade bodies: For products outside those channels, identify the relevant Indian trade or export-promotion body and seek sector-specific referrals. Treat referrals as leads to assess, not endorsements.
African markets
“Africa” is not one registry, licensing system or distribution market. Name the target country and product first. Then identify that country’s competent business registry and the authority responsible for the relevant sector or export requirements. Sector contacts, trade-promotion channels and targeted market research can help build a distributor shortlist; a commercial intermediary may also offer introductions, but an introduction does not establish an appointment, capacity or performance record.
If you lack local capacity, a due-diligence provider may be able to perform registry and ownership checks, review documents, visit a site, or check capacity and references. Specify the checks you want, ask what evidence the provider will deliver, and assess the provider’s claims rather than treating them as a guarantee.
How to verify a supplier or distributor
Work through these checks before committing funds. The appropriate registry, licence and certificate checks vary by country and product.
- Match the legal identity. Request the exact registered entity name, registration number, address, applicable tax identifier, and names of directors or authorized representatives. Compare them with the competent official register or authority for the country. Resolve differences in spelling, addresses or entity names before proceeding.
- Confirm the person and their authority independently. Verify the contact’s role and ability to negotiate or sign for the business. Contact the firm through details obtained independently, not only through an unsolicited message or contact information supplied in the offer.
- Establish what role the business actually plays. Ask whether it is the manufacturer, processor, exporter, distributor or an intermediary. A company may be a legitimate business but still not perform the role your transaction requires. Check that the entity named in the contract, permits and certificates is consistent with the claimed role.
- Test operating capacity against your order. Request relevant evidence of facilities, equipment, storage, production or handling capacity, quality processes and shipment capability. Ask how the business would meet your specification and schedule. For a material order, consider an independent site or facility inspection.
- Validate product and regulatory documents at the source. Check certificates with the issuing body and confirm that they cover the product, facility and legal entity involved. Establish the destination country’s and commodity’s applicable export, import and product requirements with the responsible authority. For relevant Indian sectors, the Export Inspection Council of India describes inspection, certification, laboratory testing and certificate-verification services, including export and health certificates and certificates of origin. Its services do not make every product subject to the same requirements.
- Check the track record. Request references from buyers familiar with comparable products, volumes or distribution work. Contact references using independently checked details. Where appropriate, ask for evidence of previous shipments or export documentation, while protecting confidential information.
- Record what remains unconfirmed. Keep a written list of gaps and use it to decide whether to gather more evidence, change terms or decline the opportunity. No verification process can guarantee future performance.
What to check before paying a supplier deposit
Before sending a deposit, make sure the agreement identifies the same legal entity you checked, states the product and delivery obligations clearly, and matches the payment beneficiary to the contracting party. Independently verify beneficiary details. If bank details change, confirm the change through a previously verified contact channel; do not rely on the message announcing it.
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Agree the specifications or sample that will define acceptable goods, and put inspection expectations, quality requirements, delivery timing and required documents in writing. Make the first commitment proportionate to the evidence you have and the potential loss you can absorb. If a material point is unresolved—such as who will produce the goods, whether a required certificate is valid, or why the beneficiary differs from the contract entity—pause payment until it is resolved.
How to assess a distributor
A distributor needs to do more than exist legally. Assess whether it can serve the territory and sales channel you have in mind, and whether the person you are speaking with can make or secure the relevant decision.
- Territory and channel fit: Confirm the areas and customer segments it actually serves, and whether its existing channels fit your product.
- Sector experience: Look for relevant product knowledge and evidence of serving comparable customers or markets.
- Distribution capacity: Assess the practical ability to store, handle, sell or service the product at the scale and in the locations required.
- Decision-maker access: Establish who can approve the arrangement and who will own the day-to-day work. A meeting or introduction alone does not answer either question.
Compare distributor candidates on these market-facing capabilities as well as the legal identity, authority, references, documentation and payment checks used for suppliers. Weight the checks according to product risk, transaction size and local requirements rather than treating every candidate as if the exposure were identical.
India-specific licence and certificate checks
For relevant Indian trade checks, the National Government Services Portal points users to ICEGATE’s exporter/importer licence-status service; login is required. Use the appropriate official service to check status, and confirm that the licence belongs to the entity and activity involved. The Export Inspection Council’s inspection, certification, testing and verification services may be relevant for particular products. Confirm the applicable requirement and certificate status with the responsible agency rather than assuming that one portal or certificate covers every sector.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to compare shortlisted candidates
Use the same questions for each candidate so you can compare evidence rather than presentation. A strong answer is one you can corroborate; a gap should be recorded instead of silently treated as a pass.
| Area | For a supplier | For a distributor |
|---|---|---|
| Legal standing and authority | Registered entity, authorized contact and alignment among the contract, permits and certificates | Registered entity, authorized decision-maker and clear contracting party |
| Role and fit | Whether it is the producer, processor, exporter or intermediary; match to product and sector | Territory coverage, sector experience and relevant channel relationships |
| Ability to deliver | Facilities, capacity, quality controls, shipment and documentation capability | Distribution, storage, sales or service capability for the market and product |
| Evidence and history | Applicable certification, validated documents, references and relevant shipment evidence | Independent references and evidence of relevant market or channel work |
| Transaction alignment | Beneficiary matches the contracting entity; specifications, inspection, delivery and documents are agreed | Commercial responsibilities, territory and decision-making arrangements are clear in writing |
There is no universal weighting that makes this comparison valid for every industry or country. A large, regulated or technically demanding order calls for more evidence than a low-exposure trial, and a distributor’s market reach matters more when local channel access is central to the deal.
Make the decision from evidence, not polish
Keep copies of the documents checked, the source of each verification, reference conversations, unresolved questions and the agreed transaction terms. Proceed only when the candidate’s identity, role, capability and payment arrangements make sense together. If the evidence does not support the proposed commitment, narrow the order, add checks or walk away.
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