Safe trading
A due-diligence checklist before you trade with a new partner
26 September 2026 · 6 min read · Go2World Business Team
Online marketplaces make it easy to find new buyers and suppliers in other countries. They also make it important to confirm who you are dealing with before any money or goods change hands. The checks below take little time and greatly reduce the risk of fraud or disputes.
Confirm the company exists
- Ask for the trade licence or company registration number and check it with the issuing authority or official registry where possible.
- Compare the registered name and address with the name on the email signature, website, invoices and bank account.
- Look up the company’s website domain and business email. Be cautious of free email addresses used for large transactions.
Check their trading history
- Request references from existing customers or suppliers, and contact them yourself.
- Ask for past shipping documents with sensitive details removed, such as a bill of lading.
- For larger orders, consider a credit report from a recognised business-information provider.
Verify the goods
- Order samples before a full shipment, and test them against your specification.
- Use an independent pre-shipment inspection company for significant orders.
- Agree the specification, quantity tolerance and packing in writing before production.
Protect the payment
- Prefer secure methods such as a confirmed letter of credit or documentary collection for new relationships.
- Never pay into an account in a different company name or country from the one on the contract without independent confirmation.
- Treat any last-minute request to change bank details as a warning sign, and confirm it by phone using a number you already hold.
Use the tools on Go2World Business
Look for the Verified badge, which shows that our team has reviewed the company’s registration details, and check the member’s Trust Score and membership level. These signals help you shortlist partners, but they do not replace your own checks. If something about a listing or company looks wrong, report it to info@go2world-business.com and our team will review it.