Question 1

How do I check if an Indian supplier has a valid GST registration?

Accepted Answer

Every registered Indian business receives a 15-digit GSTIN. You can verify it for free on the official GST portal (services.gst.gov.in) by entering the number under 'Search Taxpayer.' The portal shows the legal name, trade name, registration date, and current status. However, registration alone is not enough. A supplier can hold a valid GSTIN but have stopped filing returns months ago, which means they may no longer be actively trading. Always ask for or look up their recent GST filing status to confirm the business is operational.

Question 2

Why are GST filings more important than GST registration alone?

Accepted Answer

GST registration tells you a business exists on paper. GST filings (monthly or quarterly returns like GSTR-1 and GSTR-3B) tell you the business is actively buying inputs, manufacturing, and selling goods. A factory that has missed several consecutive filings may have ceased operations, be under investigation, or be financially distressed. Checking filing history is one of the strongest signals of a genuinely active Indian exporter. The GST portal shows the date of the last filed return, so you can see how current the business really is.

Question 3

What is an Import Export Code (IEC) and how do I verify it?

Accepted Answer

An IEC is a 10-digit code issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) that authorises an Indian business to import or export goods. Without a valid IEC, a supplier cannot legally export from India. You can verify an IEC for free on the DGFT website (dgft.gov.in) by searching the IEC number or the company name. The listing shows the firm's address, the date of issue, and the IEC status. If a supplier cannot provide an IEC or their code shows as cancelled or suspended, treat it as a serious red flag.

Question 4

What other checks should I do beyond GST and IEC verification?

Accepted Answer

Request category-relevant certifications such as ISO, BIS, FSSAI (for food products), or REACH/RoHS compliance depending on your product. Ask for references from at least two or three past international buyers and follow up with them directly. Check the supplier's listing on platforms like IndiaMART or TradeIndia for reviews and response history. Look up the company on the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) portal if it is a registered company. Finally, always place a paid sample order before committing to bulk quantities so you can evaluate product quality, packaging, and shipping reliability firsthand.

Question 5

How does Sauda verify Indian suppliers before presenting a quote?

Accepted Answer

Sauda checks each supplier's GST filings and returns to confirm the business is actively trading, not just registered. It also verifies the supplier's IEC, factory credentials, and relevant certifications for the product category. Only suppliers that pass these checks are included when Sauda presents you with live quotes. This verification happens as part of the sourcing process, so you receive quotes from genuine, operational factories without having to run the checks yourself.

Question 6

Is Sauda free for buyers, and how does it make money?

Accepted Answer

Sauda is completely free for buyers. There are no fees, commissions, or hidden charges on the buyer side. Sauda earns from the supplier side. You simply send your sourcing requirement via WhatsApp at https://wa.me/9987549010, and Sauda finds suppliers, verifies their GST filings and credentials, contacts and calls factories, negotiates pricing, and returns the cheapest verified live quotes within 24 hours.

How to Verify an Indian Exporter Before You Place Your First Order

How Sauda gets you the cheapest quote

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