Business Verification ID: The Complete Guide for Manufacturers & Distributors
Direct Answer: A business verification ID is any official government-issued or registry-assigned identifier — such as a company registration number, EIN, VAT number, or trade licence — that confirms a company’s legal existence before you enter a trade partnership. For manufacturers and distributors, verifying your partner’s business ID is the most important step in protecting against fraud, supply-chain disruption, and contractual liability. GT Setu performs multi-layer business verification on every company before they can connect on the platform, so manufacturers and distributors across 100+ countries can partner with confidence — and zero broker commissions.
📅 February 19, 2026⏱ 20 min read✍️ GT Setu Editorial Team🔄 Updated regularly
500+
Verified Companies
100+
Countries Covered
100%
Pre-Verified Partners
0%
Broker Commission
Every year, manufacturers lose millions to fraudulent distributors and fake trading companies. A business with a polished website, a convincing sales pitch, and no legal standing can walk away with your product, your deposit, and your market opportunity — leaving you with no recourse. The single most effective protection is business verification: confirming that a company is exactly who they say they are before you commit a single rupee, dollar, or euro.
This guide explains everything manufacturers and distributors need to know about business verification IDs — what they are, which documents to collect, how the KYB (Know Your Business) process works, how to read verification status across different jurisdictions, and how GT Setu‘s pre-verified B2B platform removes the burden of individual due diligence entirely.
💡 Who Is This Guide For?
Written for manufacturers seeking verified distribution partners, and for distributors who want to understand what manufacturers look for when they check your credentials. Also useful for trading companies and importers/exporters navigating compliance requirements in new markets.
SECTION 1
1 What Is a Business Verification ID?
🎯 Definition
A business verification ID is any official government-issued or registry-assigned identifier that confirms a company’s legal existence, registration status, and operational legitimacy. Common examples include a company registration number, Employer Identification Number (EIN), VAT number, D-U-N-S number, trade licence number, or GST registration. In B2B trade, a business verification ID is the foundational document that answers the question: Is this company real, registered, and legally allowed to trade?
Business verification IDs are not a single document — they are a category of identifiers, each issued by a different authority for a different purpose. A company registration number proves legal incorporation. A tax ID confirms it is registered with the fiscal authority. A trade licence confirms it has permission to operate in a specific sector or geography. Together, these form a complete picture of a company’s legal identity.
The Three Layers of Business Verification
Layer
What It Confirms
Key Documents
Issuing Authority
Layer 1: Legal Existence
The company is registered and legally incorporated
Certificate of Incorporation, Company Registration Number
National/State Company Registry
Layer 2: Tax Identity
The company is registered with tax authorities and compliant
EIN, VAT/GST Number, Tax Registration Certificate
Revenue Authority / Tax Department
Layer 3: Operational Authority
The company is licensed to trade in its sector and geography
Trade Licence, Import/Export Licence, Industry Certifications
Commerce Authority, Sector Regulator
⚡ The B2B Trade Distinction
Unlike consumer-facing businesses that verify individuals (KYC), B2B trade requires verifying entities — the company itself, its ownership structure, and its representatives. This is called KYB (Know Your Business), and it goes significantly deeper than a simple company name search.
SECTION 2
2 Why Business Verification Matters in B2B Trade
The consequences of partnering with an unverified or fraudulent business are severe — and in international trade, recovering losses is exponentially harder than in domestic markets. Business verification is not a bureaucratic formality. It is the foundation of every durable trade relationship.
🛡️
Fraud Prevention
Shell companies, ghost distributors, and trade fraudsters operate in every market. Verification is your primary defence against financial loss and reputational damage.
⚖️
Contractual Enforceability
A distribution agreement with an unregistered company is unenforceable. Verification ensures any contract you sign has legal standing in the partner’s jurisdiction.
🏦
Payment Security
Banks and payment processors require verified business IDs for cross-border transactions. Unverified partners create payment risk and blocked transfers.
📋
Regulatory Compliance
Most jurisdictions legally require businesses to conduct adequate background checks on trading partners. Failure to verify can result in regulatory fines.
🌐
Customs & Trade Compliance
Import/export documentation requires valid partner business IDs. Incorrect or fraudulent IDs cause customs holds, seizures, and penalties.
🤝
Trust Infrastructure
Verification signals professionalism to your partners. Companies that verify proactively — and share their own credentials openly — close partnerships faster.
The Cost of Getting It Wrong
Risk Scenario
Likelihood Without Verification
Potential Impact
Recovery Difficulty
Ghost distributor — disappears after receiving first shipment
Business verification is document-driven. The exact documents required vary by country and industry, but the categories below apply globally to any B2B trade context. Request these from any prospective manufacturer or distribution partner before proceeding.
Primary — Always Required
Certificate of Incorporation
Proves the company was legally incorporated. Issued by the national or state company registry. Must be current — check for a recent confirmation of active status if the original is over 12 months old.
Primary — Always Required
Business Registration Number
Unique identifier assigned by the company registry upon incorporation. Cross-reference this against the official government database to confirm the company is active and not struck off.
Primary — Always Required
Tax Identification Number
EIN (USA), GST/PAN (India), VAT Number (EU/UK), TRN (UAE), or equivalent. Confirms the company is registered with the fiscal authority and legally allowed to conduct taxable business.
Primary — Always Required
Articles of Association / Memorandum
The founding document that defines the company’s structure, objectives, and decision-making authority. Essential for understanding who can legally bind the company in a contract.
Standard — Strongly Recommended
Trade Licence
Issued by the commerce authority, confirming the company is legally permitted to conduct trade in specific sectors and geographies. Particularly important in Middle East, Africa, and South Asia.
Standard — Strongly Recommended
Import / Export Licence
Confirms the company is authorised to import or export the specific product categories you are trading. Verify expiry date — expired licences cause customs holds and penalties.
Standard — Strongly Recommended
Authority Letter with Company Seal
Confirms that the individual you are dealing with is legally authorised to represent and bind the company. This prevents situations where a junior employee commits the company to terms they cannot deliver.
Standard — Strongly Recommended
Proof of Registered Address
Utility bill, bank statement, or lease agreement confirming the company’s physical and registered address. Must be in the company’s legal name and no more than 3 months old.
Enhanced — High-Value Partnerships
Shareholder / UBO Registry
Documents showing who ultimately owns and controls the company. Required for AML compliance and beneficial ownership identification. Critical for partnerships above a material value threshold.
Enhanced — High-Value Partnerships
Bank Reference Letter
Issued by the company’s bank, confirming the account is active and in good standing. Provides financial credibility evidence without requiring full financial disclosure.
Enhanced — High-Value Partnerships
Credit Bureau Report
D&B rating, Equifax Business, Experian Business, or local equivalent. Provides an independent assessment of financial health, payment behaviour, and default risk.
Enhanced — High-Value Partnerships
Industry-Specific Certifications
ISO certificates, sector-specific licences (FSSAI, BIS, CE, FDA, Halal, MSME registration), or quality certifications relevant to your product category. Confirm validity and expiry date.
✅ GT Setu Document Checklist
GT Setu’s compliance team collects and reviews all Primary and Standard documents from every company before they receive a verified badge — so when you connect with a partner on the platform, these checks are already complete. Enhanced documents can be requested directly within the encrypted workspace.
SECTION 4
4 KYB Explained: Know Your Business for Manufacturers & Distributors
🎯 Definition
KYB (Know Your Business) is the process of verifying the identity, legal standing, ownership structure, and compliance status of a business entity before entering a commercial relationship. Originally developed for financial services and AML compliance, KYB is now an essential practice for any B2B trade — particularly for manufacturers and distributors entering international markets where regulatory oversight of trade partners is limited.
KYB vs KYC: Understanding the Difference
DimensionKYB — Know Your BusinessKYC — Know Your Customer
Who is being verified
A business entity (company, LLC, partnership)
An individual person
Relevant for
B2B trade, supply chain, distribution
Financial services, retail onboarding
Primary documents
Incorporation cert, tax ID, trade licence
Passport, driving licence, utility bill
Ownership verification
✓ Required (UBOs)
✗ Not applicable
Complexity level
Higher — multi-document, multi-layer
Lower — typically 1-2 documents
Sanctions screening
✓ Company + directors + UBOs
~ Individual only
Used by GT Setu
✓ Full KYB on all companies
~ Where relevant
What a Full KYB Check Covers
01
Corporate Registry Check
Cross-referencing the company’s name, registration number, registered address, and director information against the official company registry of their jurisdiction. Confirms active status, legal structure, and incorporation date. This is the first and most fundamental step — a company that cannot be found in its own country’s registry is not a real company.
02
Tax ID Validation
Verifying the company’s tax identification number against the relevant revenue authority database. In the US, this means EIN validation through IRS TIN matching. In the EU, VAT number validation through the VIES system. In India, GST number verification through the GST portal. A mismatched or invalid tax ID is a significant red flag requiring immediate investigation.
03
Ownership Structure Mapping (UBO)
Identifying and verifying the Ultimate Beneficial Owners (UBOs) — the individuals who ultimately own or control the company. KYB is incomplete without UBO verification, because fraudulent actors frequently use complex corporate structures to hide true ownership. Most jurisdictions now legally require UBO identification for regulated business relationships.
04
Sanctions & Watchlist Screening
Screening the company, its directors, shareholders, and UBOs against global sanctions lists (OFAC, EU Consolidated List, UN Security Council), politically exposed persons (PEP) lists, and adverse media. A company appearing on any sanctions list makes any transaction with them a potential criminal offence, regardless of how good the commercial terms appear.
05
Document Authenticity Review
Manual or AI-assisted review of submitted incorporation documents, tax certificates, and trade licences for authenticity indicators — correct format, official seals, matching data across documents, and absence of digital manipulation signs. Fraudulent document submissions often contain small inconsistencies that only appear on careful review.
06
Ongoing Monitoring
Business verification is not a one-time event. Companies lose licences, change directors, get sanctioned, or enter financial distress after the initial check. Effective KYB includes continuous monitoring that alerts you when a verified partner’s status changes — a feature built into GT Setu’s verification infrastructure.
SECTION 5
5 The Business Verification Process Step-by-Step
Whether you are verifying a partner manually or using a platform, the core process follows a consistent sequence. Understanding each step helps you ask the right questions and avoid costly gaps.
Step
Action
Manual Method
GT Setu Approach
Time Required
1
Request business registration documents
Email request; wait for response
Collected during onboarding
1–5 days (manual)
2
Cross-check registration against government registry
Access each country’s online registry individually
Request copies; cross-check with issuing authority
Document review by compliance team
1–3 days
7
Confirm authority of representative
Request authority letter with company seal
Required during GT Setu registration
1 day
8
Set up ongoing monitoring
Manual re-check periodically
Continuous automated monitoring
Ongoing
Manual business verification across all eight steps typically takes 2–4 weeks for a single international partner — and that assumes the partner is cooperative, documents are in order, and you have access to relevant registries. GT Setu compresses this to days because verification happens once at platform onboarding, not repeatedly for each new connection.
SECTION 6
6 Types of Business Verification IDs by Country
Business verification IDs vary significantly by jurisdiction. The table below is a reference guide for the most common B2B trading markets — useful for manufacturers and distributors conducting international due diligence.
Country / Region
Registration ID
Tax ID
Trade / Import-Export ID
Where to Verify
🇮🇳 India
CIN (Corporate Identity Number)
PAN + GST Number
IEC (Import Export Code)
MCA21, GST Portal, DGFT
🇺🇸 United States
State-issued Entity ID / EIN
EIN (Employer Identification Number)
FDA registration (food/pharma)
IRS TIN Match, Secretary of State
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
Companies House Registration Number
UTR / VAT Number
EORI Number
Companies House, HMRC
🇩🇪 Germany / 🇪🇺 EU
HRB Number (Handelsregister)
VAT Number (USt-IdNr)
EORI Number
Handelsregister, EU VIES
🇦🇪 UAE / GCC
Trade Licence Number (DED / DIFC / ADGM)
TRN (Tax Registration Number)
Customs Registration Number
DED portal, FTA UAE
🇨🇳 China
Unified Social Credit Code (USCC)
Included in USCC
Customs Registration Code
SAMR registry, MOFCOM
🇸🇬 Singapore
UEN (Unique Entity Number)
GST Registration Number
TradeNet Registration
ACRA, IRAS
🇦🇺 Australia
ACN (Australian Company Number)
ABN (Australian Business Number)
Included in ABN
ASIC, ABR lookup
🇧🇷 Brazil
CNPJ
CNPJ (same)
RADAR / SISCOMEX registration
Receita Federal
🇳🇬 Nigeria
RC Number (CAC)
TIN (FIRS)
SON registration (as applicable)
CAC portal, FIRS
🇿🇦 South Africa
Registration Number (CIPC)
VAT Registration Number
SARS Customs Code
CIPC, SARS eFiling
🇮🇩 Indonesia
NIB (Nomor Induk Berusaha)
NPWP
API-U (Import Licence)
OSS.go.id, DJP
⚠️ Registry Access Reality
Many government registries — especially in Africa, South Asia, and parts of Southeast Asia — are not easily accessible online or require local language navigation. This is one of the primary reasons that manual international KYB takes so long. GT Setu’s compliance team has direct access protocols for registries across all 100+ countries it covers.
SECTION 7
7 Understanding UBOs and Ownership Verification
The most sophisticated form of business fraud does not involve fake company names — it involves real company registrations controlled by sanctioned or fraudulent individuals hidden behind layers of corporate structure. This is why Ultimate Beneficial Owner (UBO) verification is a non-negotiable component of any serious B2B due diligence.
🎯 Definition
An Ultimate Beneficial Owner (UBO) is any individual who ultimately owns 25% or more of a company’s shares or voting rights, or who otherwise exercises effective control — regardless of how many corporate layers exist between them and the company. A company with four shareholders, each holding 25%, has four UBOs, all of whom must be verified.
Why UBO Verification Matters for Trade
Scenario
Risk Without UBO Check
Outcome
Distributor company owned by sanctioned individual
High — sanctions aren’t always on the company name
Transaction breach of international law, potential criminal liability
Shell holding company fronting multiple fake distributors
Medium — common in trade fraud operations
Financial loss, products diverted to unintended markets
Company controlled by a PEP (politically exposed person)
Hidden conflict of interest between partner and competitor
Low to medium — depends on market
Competitor gains intelligence through your distribution relationship
📋 UBO Threshold by Jurisdiction
The ownership threshold for UBO definition varies: 25% in the EU, UK, and India; 20% in some US states under the Corporate Transparency Act; 10% for enhanced due diligence in high-risk jurisdictions. When in doubt, apply 25% as your standard threshold and go lower for high-value or high-risk partnerships.
SECTION 8
8 Red Flags: Warning Signs of an Unverified or Fraudulent Business
Learning to recognise verification red flags early is the difference between a lost deal and a lost business. These patterns indicate that a company either cannot be verified or is actively trying to avoid verification.
🚩
Cannot Produce Incorporation Documents
Any legitimate business can provide its certificate of incorporation within 24 hours. Delays, excuses, or “document is being renewed” responses are disqualifiers.
🚩
Registration Number Doesn’t Match Registry
The most basic check — entering the registration number into the official government registry — reveals if the company is real. A mismatch or “not found” result is absolute disqualification.
🚩
Tax ID Cannot Be Validated
If an EIN, VAT number, or GST number returns an error on the official government validation portal, the company is either not tax-registered or is providing a false ID.
🚩
Registered Address Is a Virtual Office or PO Box
Companies that trade physical goods must have a verifiable physical presence. A virtual mailbox address as the sole registered location is a major fraud indicator for distribution partners.
🚩
Documents Appear Digitally Altered
Inconsistent fonts, misaligned seals, metadata showing recent editing of “official” documents, or watermarks that appear on the wrong layer are signs of document fraud.
🚩
Refuses to Identify UBOs
In most jurisdictions, beneficial ownership disclosure is now legally required for business relationships. Resistance to identifying shareholders or UBOs is a significant compliance red flag.
🚩
Company Incorporated Very Recently for Claimed Experience
A distributor claiming 15 years of market experience but incorporated 6 months ago is misrepresenting itself. Incorporation date is public record — check it against all claims made.
🚩
Director Names Appear on Sanctions or Adverse Media
Even if the company itself is not sanctioned, directors or UBOs appearing on OFAC, EU, UN, or local sanctions lists make the relationship legally high-risk or prohibited.
🚩
Resistance to Signing an NDA
An NDA protects both parties. Resistance to signing before sharing proprietary details signals either bad intent or a general unwillingness to operate within formal business frameworks — neither is acceptable.
🚩
Import/Export Licence Is Expired
Trade licences have expiry dates. An expired import licence means your shipment will be held at customs — and customs penalties, demurrage, and reshipping costs fall to you if not contractually protected.
SECTION 9
9 How to Check a Company’s Verification Status
Before engaging with any new B2B partner, run through this verification checklist. For high-value or long-term partnerships, conduct all checks — for lower-risk initial engagements, at minimum complete Steps 1–4.
01
Search the Official Company Registry
Go directly to the government company registry of the partner’s country (Companies House for UK, MCA21 for India, ACRA for Singapore, etc.) and search their company name and registration number. Confirm: active status, incorporation date, registered address, and director names all match the documents provided.
02
Validate the Tax ID Through the Official Authority
For EU companies, use the EU VIES system to validate VAT numbers. For Indian companies, use the GST portal to verify GSTIN. For US companies, use IRS TIN Matching. For UAE companies, use the FTA portal to verify TRN. A valid tax ID returns the company name and status — a mismatch requires explanation before proceeding.
03
Run a D-U-N-S Number Check
Dun & Bradstreet’s D-U-N-S number is a globally recognised 9-digit business identifier. A company with a D-U-N-S number has been validated against global business data and has a traceable credit and payment history. Request the partner’s D-U-N-S number and cross-reference on the D&B portal for their profile and basic financial indicators.
04
Screen Against Sanctions and PEP Lists
Run the company name, director names, and UBO names against: OFAC SDN List (US), EU Consolidated Sanctions List, UN Security Council Sanctions, and any regional lists relevant to your market. Free tools exist (OFAC’s public search), or use a paid service that consolidates multiple lists and flags adverse media simultaneously.
05
Verify the Import/Export Licence
For distributors, confirm the import licence is valid and covers your product category. In India, the IEC (Import Export Code) can be verified on the DGFT portal. In the UAE, trade licences can be checked through the DED portal. In China, check the customs registration code through MOFCOM. Confirm the licence is current — not recently expired or suspended.
06
Call Trade References Directly
Request 2–3 trade references (existing suppliers or customers) and actually call them. Ask: How long have you worked with them? Have they always paid on time? Do they represent your product exclusively? Any issues with customs or product handling? Fake companies cannot produce real references who corroborate their claims — most fraudsters abandon attempts when references are requested.
07
Use a Pre-Verified B2B Platform
The most efficient alternative to all of the above is to operate on a platform like GT Setu where every company has already completed multi-layer verification. Instead of conducting Steps 1–6 yourself for every new partner, you can trust that all verified companies on the platform have already been validated — and focus your energy on commercial evaluation instead of compliance detective work.
SECTION 10
10 Regional Verification Requirements by Market
Business verification requirements and the ease of conducting them vary significantly across regions. Here is what manufacturers and distributors need to know before engaging in each major trading zone.
🇮🇳
South Asia
MCA21, DGFT, GST Portal all have online verification. IEC check is mandatory for any import partner.
🇦🇪
UAE / GCC
Trade licence renewal is annual — always check expiry date. DED portal is accessible in English.
🇩🇪
Europe
EU VIES for VAT validation. EORI number required for all importers. GDPR affects data sharing in verification.
🇳🇬
Africa
CAC portal for Nigeria, CIPC for South Africa. Offline verification may be needed — GT Setu’s team handles this.
🇸🇬
Southeast Asia
ACRA for Singapore is excellent. Indonesia’s OSS system is improving. Country-by-country variation is significant.
🇺🇸
Americas
Corporate Transparency Act now requires UBO filing to FinCEN. State-level registries vary by US state.
Region
Key Regulatory Framework
UBO Disclosure Required?
Online Registry Access
GT Setu Coverage
India
Companies Act 2013, FEMA, GST Act
✓ Yes — beneficial ownership register
Good — MCA21, GST portal, DGFT
✓ Full coverage
UAE / GCC
Commercial Companies Law, AML Federal Law
✓ Yes — ultimate beneficiary register
Good — DED, ADGM, DIFC portals
✓ Full coverage
European Union
EU AML Directives (5th, 6th AMLD)
✓ Yes — mandatory UBO registers
Excellent — national registries + VIES
✓ Full coverage
UK
Companies Act 2006, PSC Register
✓ Yes — PSC register (Persons of Significant Control)
Excellent — Companies House
✓ Full coverage
USA
Corporate Transparency Act (FinCEN)
✓ Yes — FinCEN BOI reporting
Variable by state
✓ Full coverage
Africa
Varies by country (FATF recommendations)
~ Varies — Nigeria yes, others limited
Limited — partially offline
✓ GT Setu team-assisted
Southeast Asia
Varies by country (Singapore strong, others developing)
~ Singapore yes; Indonesia improving
Variable — Singapore excellent, others mixed
✓ Full coverage
SECTION 11
11 How GT Setu’s Verification System Works
🔐 Platform Spotlight — GT Setu
Business Verification Built Into Every Connection
GT Setu was built to solve the core challenge of international trade: how do you trust a company you’ve never met, operating in a legal system you don’t understand, transacting across a border your lawyers can’t easily reach? The answer is not to ask manufacturers and distributors to conduct their own due diligence — it is to verify every company on the platform before they can connect with anyone.
📄
Multi-Document Review
Incorporation certificate, tax ID, trade licence, and industry certifications reviewed at onboarding.
🏛️
Registry Cross-Check
Company details cross-referenced against official government registries across 100+ countries.
🔍
Sanctions Screening
Company and directors screened against OFAC, EU, UN, and regional sanctions and PEP lists.
👤
Authority Verification
Authority letter with company seal required from every representative — confirming they can legally bind the company.
🌐
Domain & Digital Validation
Email domain, company website, and digital presence validated to confirm consistency with claimed identity.
🔄
Continuous Monitoring
Verification is ongoing — not point-in-time. Status changes trigger alerts to both parties.
🔒
Encrypted Document Workspace
All verification documents stored and shared in an encrypted environment with full access controls.
🚫
Zero Commission Model
Verification is included in platform access — GT Setu never charges a broker fee on partnerships made.
12 Verification for Distributors: Getting Manufacturer-Ready
Business verification is a two-way process. Just as manufacturers need to verify their distributors, distributors who want to attract serious manufacturing partners need to have their own verification in order — and present it proactively. Manufacturers shortlist faster when credentials are available without being asked.
What Manufacturers Check When Evaluating a Distributor
Business Registration Validity
Priority weight: 95% — non-negotiable
Tax ID & Financial Standing
Priority weight: 90% — critical
Import/Export Licence Active
Priority weight: 90% — critical
Warehouse & Infrastructure Proof
Priority weight: 80% — high
Trade References Available
Priority weight: 75% — high
Industry Certifications Current
Priority weight: 65% — sector-dependent
Building Your Verification-Ready Distributor Profile
01
Organise Your Core Documents
Prepare digital copies of: certificate of incorporation, trade licence, import/export licence (IEC or equivalent), tax registration certificate, and most recent audited financial statement. Keep these in a secure folder you can share immediately when requested — delays in providing documents signal disorganisation and lower your shortlisting probability.
02
Check Your Own Registry Listing
Before you share your registration number with a manufacturer, check it yourself against your national registry. Ensure your registered address, director names, and company status are all accurate and current. Discrepancies between your documents and the registry listing create immediate doubt — even for manufacturers who want to partner with you.
03
Renew All Licences Before Outreach
Manufacturers check licence expiry dates. An import/export licence expiring within 3 months of a partnership discussion is a red flag — it raises questions about your operational reliability. Renew all licences before approaching manufacturers and confirm renewal dates are at least 12 months ahead.
04
Prepare UBO and Ownership Documentation
Have your shareholder register and UBO documentation ready. Sophisticated manufacturers now routinely request this. Being prepared signals compliance maturity and accelerates the due diligence phase. If your ownership structure is complex, prepare a simple one-page summary with the relevant identities and percentages.
05
Get Verified on GT Setu
The most efficient way to signal verified status to multiple manufacturers simultaneously is to complete GT Setu’s verification process. A verification badge on your GT Setu profile tells every manufacturer browsing the platform that your documents, registry standing, and authority confirmation have already been reviewed — removing the primary barrier to being shortlisted.
💡 The Verification Competitive Advantage
When a manufacturer receives 20 responses to a partner search, the first thing they do is discard unverified companies. A distributor with a GT Setu verified badge — or who proactively provides a complete verification dossier in their first communication — moves to the top of every shortlist. Verification is not just compliance; it is a competitive advantage.
SECTION 13
13 Business Verification Timeline: What to Expect
The time required to complete business verification depends on the method used, the jurisdiction of the partner, and the partner’s level of preparedness. Here is a realistic timeline for both manual verification and GT Setu platform verification.
Manual Verification Timeline
Day 1–2
Request
Request documents from partner; receive initial response
Day 3–7
Documents
Collect and review all primary documents; identify gaps
Day 7–12
Registry
Cross-check against official registries (1–5 days per country)
Full verification report ready; proceed to NDA and commercial discussion
GT Setu Platform Verification Timeline
Day 1
Register
Company registers and submits documents to GT Setu
Day 2–4
Review
GT Setu compliance team reviews documents and runs registry checks
Day 4–5
Verified ✓
Verification badge issued; company visible to potential partners
Day 5+
Connect
Immediately begin connecting with verified manufacturers or distributors — no additional due diligence needed
⚡ Time = Competitive Advantage
In international trade, the manufacturer who completes due diligence first wins the market window. Using GT Setu compresses verification from 3–4 weeks to 4–5 days — giving you a head start on every partnership opportunity.
FAQ
? Frequently Asked Questions
Q
What is a business verification ID?
A business verification ID is any official government-issued or registry-assigned identifier that confirms a company’s legal existence and operational legitimacy. Common examples include a company registration number (CIN, RC Number, Companies House number), Employer Identification Number (EIN), VAT registration number, GST number, trade licence number, or D-U-N-S number. In B2B trade, a business verification ID is the starting point for confirming a partner’s identity before entering any commercial agreement.
Q
What documents are required for business verification in international trade?
The core documents required for business verification in B2B trade are: certificate of incorporation, business registration number, tax identification number (EIN, VAT, GST or equivalent), articles of association, trade licence, import/export licence (where applicable), proof of registered address, authority letter from the company representative, and (for higher-value partnerships) shareholder register showing UBOs, bank reference letter, and credit bureau report. GT Setu collects and reviews all primary and standard documents at company onboarding.
Q
What is KYB and how is it different from KYC?
KYB (Know Your Business) is the process of verifying a business entity’s identity, legal standing, ownership structure, and compliance status. KYC (Know Your Customer) verifies individual people. KYB is the relevant framework for B2B trade — it involves checking company registration, validating tax IDs, identifying ultimate beneficial owners (UBOs), and screening companies and directors against sanctions lists. KYB is significantly more complex than KYC because companies can have layered corporate structures, multiple directors, and cross-jurisdictional ownership.
Q
How do I verify a company’s registration number?
To verify a company registration number, go directly to the official company registry of the country where the company is registered and search using the registration number provided. For India: MCA21 portal. For UK: Companies House. For UAE: DED portal. For EU companies: each country’s national business registry, plus VIES for VAT validation. For Singapore: ACRA BizFile. For Australia: ASIC. If the search returns no results or the company details don’t match the documents provided, the registration claim cannot be verified and should be treated as a disqualifying red flag.
Q
What is an Ultimate Beneficial Owner (UBO) and why does it matter for trade?
An Ultimate Beneficial Owner (UBO) is any individual who ultimately owns 25% or more of a company’s shares or voting rights, or who otherwise exercises effective control. UBO verification matters in B2B trade because fraudulent actors frequently use complex corporate structures — holding companies, nominee shareholders — to hide their true identities. A company can be legitimately registered but controlled by a sanctioned individual, a fraudster, or a competitor. Identifying and verifying UBOs is the only way to confirm you know who you are actually doing business with.
Q
How does GT Setu verify businesses on its platform?
GT Setu conducts multi-layer business verification on every company before they receive a verified badge and can connect with partners on the platform. The process includes: review of incorporation certificate, tax ID, trade licence, and industry certifications; cross-check against official government registries; sanctions and PEP screening for the company and its directors; domain and digital presence validation; authority letter verification with company seal; and ongoing monitoring for post-onboarding status changes. This means every company you connect with on GT Setu has already passed compliance checks — you do not need to conduct separate due diligence from scratch.
Q
How do I check the business verification status of a company?
To check a company’s verification status: (1) Search their registration number on the official company registry of their jurisdiction, (2) Validate their tax ID on the relevant government portal (VIES, GST portal, IRS TIN Match, etc.), (3) Run their company name and directors through OFAC, EU, and UN sanctions list searches, (4) Request and review their incorporation documents and compare against registry data, and (5) Check their D-U-N-S number on the Dun & Bradstreet database for financial profile and payment history. Alternatively, use a platform like GT Setu where all companies display a pre-verified badge confirming all checks are already complete.
Q
What does “business verification status unverified” mean?
A “business verification status: unverified” indicates that a company has not yet completed or passed the verification process on a given platform or in a given context. On B2B platforms, this typically means the company has registered but not yet submitted required documents, or their documents have not yet been reviewed and approved. In practice, an unverified status means you should not proceed to commercial discussions, share proprietary information, or sign agreements with that company until verification is complete. On GT Setu, an unverified status means the company cannot connect with or contact verified partners.
Q
Is business verification required by law for international trade?
In many jurisdictions, some form of business partner verification is legally required — particularly under AML (Anti-Money Laundering) regulations. The US Corporate Transparency Act requires companies to report beneficial ownership to FinCEN. EU AML Directives require member state businesses to conduct KYB on their trading partners above certain thresholds. The FATF (Financial Action Task Force) sets global recommendations that most member countries implement into national law. Even where not strictly legally mandated, failing to verify a partner can make contracts unenforceable, block payments, cause customs violations, and expose you to liability if your partner is later found to be engaged in financial crime.
Q
What is a D-U-N-S number and how is it used in business verification?
A D-U-N-S (Data Universal Numbering System) number is a unique 9-digit identifier assigned by Dun & Bradstreet to verified business entities globally. It serves as a globally recognised business identity standard — companies with a D-U-N-S number have their existence confirmed against real-world data. In B2B trade, requesting a partner’s D-U-N-S number allows you to look up their basic financial profile, payment history, and risk indicators through the D&B platform. A company without a D-U-N-S number is not necessarily fraudulent, but a company claiming to be large and established that cannot provide one should be investigated further.
Q
How does verification protect manufacturers when choosing international distributors?
Verification protects manufacturers by confirming that a prospective distributor is: legally incorporated and active, registered with tax authorities (ensuring you can transact with them), licensed to import your product category, not on any sanctions list that would make the transaction illegal, controlled by identifiable and non-fraudulent owners, and represented by someone with actual authority to sign contracts. Without this confirmation, manufacturers face risks including loss of shipped goods to ghost companies, unenforceable contracts, customs violations, and being unknowingly complicit in sanctioned-party transactions. GT Setu’s verification layer eliminates the need for manufacturers to conduct this process individually for every new distribution candidate.
Partner with Verified Manufacturers & Distributors Worldwide
Every company on GT Setu has passed multi-layer business verification — so you can focus on partnership value, not document chasing. 500+ verified companies across 100+ countries. Zero broker commissions.
Team GT Setu represents the product, compliance, and research team behind GT Setu, a global B2B collaboration platform built to help companies explore cross-border partnerships with clarity and trust. The team focuses on simplifying early-stage international business discovery by combining structured company profiles, verification-led access, and controlled collaboration workflows.
With a strong emphasis on trust, compliance, and disciplined engagement, Team GT Setu shares insights on global trade, partnerships, and cross-border collaboration, helping businesses make informed decisions before entering deeper commercial discussions.
