Quick answer
Before paying a Surat textile supplier: check the GSTIN on the official GST portal (status must be Active and the legal name must match), confirm the shop address with a video call from the premises, order a sample first, get a written proforma invoice, and pay only to a bank account in the firm’s registered name. Never pay a personal account, and confirm by phone if bank details suddenly change. Exporters should also have a valid IEC, which you can check on the DGFT website.
Buying from Surat is usually straightforward, and most traders have built their businesses on repeat customers and trust. But the same things that make Surat easy to buy from — WhatsApp catalogues, phone orders and advance payments — also make it easy for a fake seller to look real. This 12-point checklist helps you separate genuine wholesalers from risky ones in about 15 minutes, before any money changes hands.
The 12-Point Supplier Check
| # | Check | How to do it |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | GSTIN is active | gst.gov.in → Search Taxpayer → Search by GSTIN/UIN |
| 2 | Names match | GST legal name = invoice name = bank account name |
| 3 | Time in business | Note the GST registration date |
| 4 | Real shop address | Market, wing, floor and shop number; check on the map |
| 5 | Live video call | Ask to see the shop and stock in real time |
| 6 | Real product photos | Ask for fresh photos or video of the actual stock |
| 7 | Sample first | Order a small sample before any bulk order |
| 8 | Written proforma invoice | Fabric, quantity, rate, GST, delivery date, returns |
| 9 | Business bank account | Pay only to a current account in the firm’s name |
| 10 | IEC for exporters | dgft.gov.in → Services → View IEC Status |
| 11 | References and reviews | Other buyers, Google reviews, directory listing |
| 12 | Price and pressure | Be wary of prices far below the market and “pay today” pressure |
1. Check the GSTIN on the Official Portal
Every genuine wholesaler selling across states needs GST registration. Ask for the 15-digit GSTIN, then go to gst.gov.in, choose Search Taxpayer → Search by GSTIN/UIN, and enter the number. No login is needed.
- Active: the registration is valid and the seller can issue proper GST invoices.
- Cancelled: the registration has ended. Do not buy on this GSTIN.
- Suspended: the registration is temporarily frozen, often during an inquiry. Wait until it is active again.
2. Make Sure the Names Match
The legal name on the GST portal, the name on the invoice and the name on the bank account should all be the same business. A seller who trades as one name but asks you to pay a different person or firm is the most common warning sign.
3. Check How Long They Have Been in Business
The GST search shows the date of registration. A firm registered a few weeks ago is not automatically a fraud, but it deserves more caution, a smaller first order and a stricter sample check.
4. Confirm the Shop Address
Surat wholesalers usually work from a numbered shop inside a named market. Ask for the full address: market name, wing or block, floor and shop number. Look up the market in our Surat textile market directory and check that it exists and is in the area they claim.
5. Do a Live Video Call
A two-minute video call from the shop tells you more than any catalogue. Ask the seller to show the shop board, the stock and the design you want. Genuine traders rarely mind; fake sellers usually find excuses.
6. Ask for Real Photos of the Actual Stock
Catalogue photos are often professional shoots that many sellers share. Ask for fresh phone photos or a short video of the exact pieces, ideally with today’s date written on a paper beside them.
7. Order a Sample First
Pay for a sample piece or a small first order and check fabric, colour, work, length and finishing. The extra cost is small compared with a bulk order that does not match the photos.
8. Get a Written Proforma Invoice
Before paying an advance, get a proforma invoice that lists each design or catalogue, quantity, rate, GST, packing, delivery date, dispatch method and the return or exchange policy. WhatsApp is fine, but keep it in writing.
9. Pay Only to the Business Account
- Pay by bank transfer to a current account in the firm’s registered name.
- Avoid paying personal accounts, unknown UPI IDs or third parties.
- If the seller suddenly sends “new” bank details, call them on the number you already know before paying. Changed bank details are a classic fraud trick.
- For a new supplier, pay an advance and the balance before dispatch, rather than 100% upfront.
10. Check the IEC If They Export
Overseas buyers should confirm the supplier has an Import Export Code (IEC). On dgft.gov.in, go to Services → View IEC Status and enter the IEC and linked PAN to see the holder’s name, status and address. Read our guide to importing from Surat for the full export process.
11. Look for References and Reviews
Ask for two or three buyers you can contact, check Google reviews of the shop, and look for the business in trusted directories. Listings with a real address, GSTIN and photos are a good sign; a seller with no footprint anywhere except a WhatsApp number is not.
12. Watch for Price and Pressure Red Flags
Surat prices are competitive, but not magic. Be careful when a price is far below every other quote, when the seller insists on full payment immediately, or when “limited stock” pressure appears before you have seen a sample.
Red Flags at a Glance
- GSTIN cancelled, suspended or in a different name.
- Payment requested to a personal account or a new account at the last minute.
- No physical shop, or refuses a video call.
- Only stock catalogue photos, never real ones.
- Price far below the market and pressure to pay today.
- No written invoice or terms.
For Surat Sellers: Check New Buyers Too
Fraud runs in both directions. A case reported in October 2026 described a familiar pattern: a buyer made a few small credit purchases and paid on time to build trust, then took large quantities of cloth on credit and did not pay, with losses reported at around ₹10 crore. Before extending credit to a new buyer, check their GSTIN and address in the same way, start with small credit limits, and increase them only after several on-time payments.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I check if a Surat supplier is genuine?
Check the GSTIN on gst.gov.in, confirm the shop address with a live video call, order a sample, get a written proforma invoice and pay only to a bank account in the firm’s registered name.
How do I verify a GST number online?
Go to gst.gov.in, choose Search Taxpayer and then Search by GSTIN/UIN, and enter the 15-digit GSTIN. The result shows the legal name, registration date and status.
What does a cancelled or suspended GSTIN mean?
A cancelled GSTIN means the registration has ended; a suspended one is temporarily frozen, often during an inquiry. In both cases, do not buy until the registration is active.
Is it safe to pay a Surat supplier in advance?
For a verified supplier, a part advance with the balance before dispatch is normal. Pay only to a business account in the firm’s name and start with a sample or small order.
How do I verify an Indian exporter’s IEC?
On dgft.gov.in, go to Services and then View IEC Status, and enter the IEC and linked PAN. The result shows the holder’s name, status and address.
What should I do if I have been cheated by a supplier?
Keep all chats, invoices and payment proofs, inform your bank immediately, and file a complaint with the police or the national cybercrime portal for online fraud.
Find Surat Wholesalers With Real Addresses
Browse Surat textile markets and Ahmedabad textile markets, or read our Surat Textile Market Sourcing Guide.
Are you a genuine Surat wholesaler? Buyers trust sellers they can verify. List your business free with your shop address and GSTIN, and let BizTorq build a professional website that shows buyers you are real.