EU BUYER QUALIFICATION CHECKLIST
For Indian Exporters and Trade Facilitators
- Checklist Reference: _____________________________________________
- Prepared By: _____________________________________________
- Prospective Buyer: _____________________________________________
- Country: _____________________________________________
- Date: _____________________________________________
Products / Sector: _____________________________________________
This checklist is used to assess the commercial, financial, legal, and regulatory suitability of a prospective EU-based buyer before committing to supply, engaging in formal negotiations, or arranging samples and pre-shipment activity. Complete all sections and attach supporting documents where indicated.
SECTION 1 — LEGAL AND CORPORATE IDENTITY
Documents to Request:
Certificate of incorporation or Handelsregisterauszug / KvK extract or equivalent
VAT registration certificate
EORI number confirmation
- Proof of registered address (not more than 3 months old)
- SECTION 2 — SANCTIONS AND COMPLIANCE SCREENING
- SECTION 3 — IMPORT CAPABILITY AND REGULATORY AUTHORITY
- SECTION 4 — COMMERCIAL CREDIBILITY AND FINANCIAL CAPACITY
- SECTION 5 — COMMERCIAL TERMS ALIGNMENT
- SECTION 6 — SUPPLY CHAIN INTEGRITY AND END-USE
- SECTION 7 — OVERALL QUALIFICATION ASSESSMENT
- Notes and Observations:
- _____________________________________________
- _____________________________________________
- _____________________________________________
- Doc 24 — EU Buyer Qualification Checklist — Neutral Template
| Question / Requirement | Response | Evidence / Notes |
| Is the buyer a duly incorporated legal entity in its EU country of registration? | Yes / No | Comments / Reference |
| Has the buyer's company registration been verified against the official commercial register of its country? (e.g. Handelsregister / KvK / Companies House / INPI / CCIAA) | Yes / No | Comments / Reference |
| Does the buyer hold a valid EORI number (Economic Operators Registration and Identification) for EU customs purposes? | Yes / No | Comments / Reference |
| Does the buyer hold a valid VAT registration number in its country of establishment? | Yes / No | Comments / Reference |
| Have the buyer's directors and beneficial owners been identified and verified? | Yes / No | Comments / Reference |
| Is the buyer subject to any insolvency, administration, or winding-up proceedings? | Yes / No | Comments / Reference |
| Company Registration Number: | |
| Question / Requirement | Response | Evidence / Notes |
| Has the buyer been screened against the EU Consolidated Sanctions List with a clear result? | Yes / No | Comments / Reference |
| Has the buyer been screened against the US OFAC SDN List with a clear result? | Yes / No | Comments / Reference |
| Has the buyer been screened against the UK OFSI Consolidated List with a clear result? | Yes / No | Comments / Reference |
| Has the buyer been screened against the UN Security Council Consolidated List with a clear result? | Yes / No | Comments / Reference |
| Is the buyer, or any director or UBO, a Politically Exposed Person (PEP) or close associate of a PEP? | Yes / No | Comments / Reference |
| Has the buyer, or any associated person, been involved in any financial crime, fraud, or corruption proceedings? | Yes / No | Comments / Reference |
| Overall Screening Result: | Clear / Hit / False Positive |
| Question / Requirement | Response | Evidence / Notes |
| Does the buyer have documented experience importing the relevant goods into the EU? | Yes / No | Comments / Reference |
| Is the buyer aware of and able to comply with all applicable EU import regulations for the goods in question? (e.g. CE marking, REACH, EUDR, MRL, GPSR) | Yes / No | Comments / Reference |
| Does the buyer have an established relationship with a licensed customs agent or freight forwarder in the EU? | Yes / No | Comments / Reference |
| Does the buyer have the necessary import licences or sector-specific approvals required for the goods? (e.g. pharma import authorisation, food business registration, CITES permit) | Yes / No | Comments / Reference |
| Is the buyer registered with the relevant EU competent authority for the sector? (e.g. food competent authority, medicines authority) | Yes / No | Comments / Reference |
| Is the buyer aware of the CBAM obligations applying to any covered goods (steel, aluminium, cement, fertilisers, hydrogen, electricity) from 2026? | Yes / No | Comments / Reference |
| Key Licences / Approvals
Held (list): | |
| Question / Requirement | Response | Evidence / Notes |
| Has the buyer provided a company profile or evidence of its trading history in the relevant sector? | Yes / No | Comments / Reference |
| Has the buyer provided evidence of financial standing? (e.g. audited accounts, bank reference, credit report) | Yes / No | Comments / Reference |
| Has a credit check been conducted on the buyer through a recognised agency? (e.g. Dun & Bradstreet, Creditsafe, Euler Hermes) | Yes / No | Comments / Reference |
| Does the buyer have the demonstrated capacity to pay for the anticipated order volumes within the proposed payment terms? | Yes / No | Comments / Reference |
| Is the buyer able to provide a Letter of Credit, bank guarantee, or other acceptable payment security if required? | Yes / No | Comments / Reference |
| Does the buyer have warehousing or storage facilities appropriate to receive and hold the goods? | Yes / No | Comments / Reference |
| Does the buyer have distribution infrastructure (own or third-party) to move goods to end customers within the Territory? | Yes / No | Comments / Reference |
| Annual Revenue
(approximate): | |
| Credit Limit Offered by
Credit Agency (if checked): | |
| Question / Requirement | Response | Evidence / Notes |
| Has the buyer confirmed acceptance of the proposed Incoterms for the shipment? | Yes / No | Comments / Reference |
| Has the buyer confirmed the port or place of delivery and its logistics arrangements for receipt of goods? | Yes / No | Comments / Reference |
| Has the buyer confirmed the required product specification, packaging, and labelling requirements? | Yes / No | Comments / Reference |
| Has the buyer confirmed minimum order quantities compatible with the exporter's production minimums? | Yes / No | Comments / Reference |
| Has the buyer confirmed understanding of lead times and delivery schedules? | Yes / No | Comments / Reference |
| Has the buyer provided a written indication of pricing expectations that is commercially viable for the exporter? | Yes / No | Comments / Reference |
| Has the buyer confirmed the currency for invoicing and payment? | Yes / No | Comments / Reference |
| Has the buyer confirmed awareness of its obligations under any applicable FTA (e.g. India-EU FTA) and its ability to claim preferential duty rates using the exporter's REX declaration or EUR.1 certificate? | Yes / No | Comments / Reference |
| Question / Requirement | Response | Evidence / Notes |
| Has the buyer confirmed the intended end-use of the goods? | Yes / No | Comments / Reference |
| Are there any indicators that the goods may be re-exported to a sanctioned jurisdiction or diverted from their stated end-use? | Yes / No | Comments / Reference |
| Does the buyer's stated end-use align with its business profile and sector? | Yes / No | Comments / Reference |
| Is the buyer's requested quantity proportionate to its stated business capacity and historical volumes? | Yes / No | Comments / Reference |
| Are there any unusual payment routing arrangements, third-party payment instructions, or requests to invoice a different entity from the buyer? | Yes / No | Comments / Reference |
| Country of Final Destination
(if different from buyer's
country): | |
| Assessment Area | Pass / Fail / Further Action Required |
|---|
| Legal and Corporate Identity | |
| Sanctions and Compliance Screening | |
| Import Capability and Regulatory Authority | |
| Commercial Credibility and Financial Capacity | |
| Commercial Terms Alignment | |
| Supply Chain Integrity and End-Use | |
| Overall Qualification
Decision: | Qualified / Conditionally Qualified / Not Qualified |