Quick answer
What should a first-time buyer do?
Define the product, quantity and destination first. Compare suitable Indian suppliers, validate any GSTIN against the official GST system, check that the legal name and status match the seller, inspect a representative sample, and calculate duties and freight before confirming an order. GST registration is one identity signal—not proof of product quality or delivery performance.
Search India by product, specification and region
India has a very large supplier base, so a useful search needs more than a product name. Include material, grade, size, intended use, quantity, packaging and destination. MadeInSouthAsia currently concentrates its India coverage in South India, while buyers can access the marketplace from other countries.
Shortlist suppliers whose actual capabilities match the request. A company that trades a product can still be useful, but buyers should know whether they are speaking to the manufacturer, an exporter, a distributor or a sourcing company.
Verify the seller’s GSTIN correctly
Ask the seller for its 15-character GSTIN and legal business name. Check the number using the official Indian GST taxpayer search. Compare the legal name, trade name, registration status, taxpayer type and principal place of business with the profile and quotation.
A GST match helps confirm registration information at the time of checking. It does not prove ownership of a bank account, product certification, factory capacity, export eligibility, quality or trustworthiness. Record when the check was made and recheck material changes.
- Use the official GST taxpayer search, not a copied badge or screenshot.
- Reject malformed GSTINs before requesting a verification result.
- Do not mark a seller verified when the legal name or status conflicts.
- Keep separate checks for bank details, product quality and shipment terms.
Compare Indian supplier quotations on the same basis
Ask every shortlisted supplier to quote the same specification, quantity, packaging and Incoterm. Confirm whether taxes, domestic transport, export packing, documentation and freight are included. Note the currency and quotation expiry.
Before a larger order, inspect a sample and confirm how production goods will be checked against it. Put tolerances, labelling, carton markings, lead time, payment stages and remedies for non-conforming goods into the written order record.
Check destination-country import requirements
The seller’s Indian registrations do not replace the buyer’s obligations. Determine the likely tariff classification and check the destination country’s rules for licences, safety, labelling, testing, duty and tax. Use a qualified customs broker or relevant government authority for a binding decision.
Frequently asked questions
Does a valid GSTIN mean an Indian supplier is fully verified?
No. It confirms GST registration information returned by the official system. Product capability, bank ownership, certifications, export documents, quality and delivery history require separate checks.
Can I import a small quantity from India?
It depends on the supplier, product and shipping economics. Filter for suppliers open to small orders, request a sample or starter quantity, and calculate freight and clearance costs before deciding.
What information should an India RFQ contain?
Include product specification, quantity, acceptable MOQ, packaging, destination, target date, sample request, compliance needs and the shipping basis you want quoted.
Turn your research into a clear request
Search current listings or send one specification to suitable suppliers so you can compare like-for-like quotations.