25 Questions to Ask an Indian Manufacturer or Wholesaler Before Buying

A supplier catalogue is only a starting point. Before paying, a buyer should understand exactly what will be supplied, who is responsible for each step, and how a mismatch will be handled.

Product and quality

1. What exact material, grade, thickness or composition is used?
2. Which dimensions and tolerances apply to the product?
3. What varies between the reference photograph and the supplied item?
4. Are colours, finishes and components consistent between batches?
5. What quality checks are performed before packing?
6. Can the supplier provide a specification sheet, test report or certificate where relevant?
7. Can the buyer approve a reference sample before production?

Supplier identity and capability

1. Are you the manufacturer, wholesaler, distributor or trading company?
2. Where is the manufacturing or stock location?
3. What is the current production or stock capacity?
4. What is the normal lead time after payment and artwork approval?
5. Do you regularly supply outside India?
6. Can you share the legal business name, GST details or other basic business information needed for the quotation?

MOQ, pricing and customization

1. What is the minimum order by product, design, colour and size?
2. Is the quoted price for ready stock or new production?
3. What price breaks apply to trial, repeat and larger quantities?
4. What is the cost and MOQ for logo, packaging or private labelling?
5. Who owns the artwork, mould, tooling or custom design?
6. How long is the quotation valid?

Packaging and shipment

1. How many units fit in each inner pack and master carton?
2. What are the carton dimensions and gross weight?
3. How are fragile, moisture-sensitive or scratch-prone items protected?
4. Can the supplier provide photographs of final export packing?
5. Which shipment terms are being quoted—EXW, FOB, CIF, DAP or DDP?
6. Who arranges export documentation, pickup and handover to the courier or forwarder?
7. Are destination duties, taxes, customs brokerage and local delivery included?

Payment, inspection and problem resolution

1. What payment milestones apply, and what triggers each milestone?
2. Can inspection or third-party verification be arranged before dispatch?
3. What is the process if quantity, quality or packing does not match the approved order?
4. How are shortages, transit damage and replacement requests handled?
5. Will the final invoice, packing list and shipment tracking be shared?

How to compare the answers

Put the answers in a comparison sheet with one row per supplier. Compare specification, MOQ, unit price, lead time, packaging, documents, shipment basis and open questions. Do not select a supplier only because its first unit price is the lowest.

A supplier that communicates clearly, documents assumptions and gives a realistic lead time may be more useful than a supplier offering a lower price with unclear specifications.