Paying a stranger in advance is the biggest risk when importing. A supplier that looks serious may not exist, may not make what they sell, or may disappear with your payment. This guide gives you concrete steps to verify a supplier before sending money.
1. Check that the company really exists
- Ask for the company name, address and legal registration number, and compare them with the official registries of its country.
- Look the address up on a map: is it a factory, an office or a house?
- Check that their website domain and email match. Be wary of free emails (Gmail, Hotmail) from companies claiming to be large.
2. Ask for a video call
A real supplier has no problem showing you their premises, production and warehouse live. If they avoid the call or make excuses, that is a warning sign.
3. Request samples before the big order
Ask for a sample of the real product and pay only for that sample. Check quality, packaging and lead times. A large order is decided after you have seen and tested the sample.
4. Check references and track record
- Ask for contacts of other customers and talk to them.
- Look for independent reviews, not only the ones on their own website.
- Ask how long they have been exporting and to which countries.
5. Warning signs
- Prices far below the market.
- Pressure to pay quickly or «before the price goes up».
- Asking you to pay into a personal account or a country different from the company’s.
- Last-minute changes to bank details.
6. How to pay with less risk
Avoid paying 100% up front. Negotiate a partial deposit and pay the balance against shipping documents or inspection. Use payment methods that leave a trace.
Want us to verify it for you?
At Import Export Hybrid we help you find and validate suppliers, request samples and coordinate shipping to your door. Write to us and tell us what you want to import.
