Before you sign an Indian linen supplier, ask for proof of its export registrations, the unit that will make your order, its written tolerances, its inspection method, current certificates, and what happens if a shipment fails. A good supplier will answer quickly and back it up with documents. Vague answers usually tell you more than the price does.
1. Can you show your export registrations?
Ask for the Importer Exporter Code (IEC) and GSTIN, then check they match the legal name on the quote and bank details. For reference, ours are IEC ABZFA4553G and GSTIN 27ABZFA4553G1ZZ. A good answer arrives the same day, in the same company name as the invoice.
2. Which unit will make my order?
Mills differ in what they do well. Ask where your product will be woven, dyed and stitched, and whether any step is subcontracted. A good answer names the units and the process each one handles, along with any audit report they can share.
3. Have you made this exact construction before?
"We make towels" isn't enough. Ask about your GSM, size, yarn and finish. A good answer comes with a comparable sample or a production record.
4. What tolerances will you commit to in writing?
Ask for limits on GSM, size, shrinkage and colour. ±5% on GSM across a lot is a common reference. A good answer puts them on the tech pack or the order itself. See our GSM standard.
5. How do you inspect, and can I see a past report?
Ask who inspects, at what stage, to which AQL level, and whether you can appoint your own inspector. A good answer includes an anonymised report and a clear yes on third-party inspection. Our quality process follows this approach.
6. Are the certificates current, and whose are they?
A certificate belongs to a named company and scope. Ask for the certificate number and verify it with the issuing body. Check that it covers the article and the unit making your order. A good answer gives you all of this without being chased. Our certifications guide shows what each market tends to ask for.
7. What test data can you share for my laundry?
Ask for shrinkage, colour fastness and tensile strength results, and GSM retention if laundering is hard. A good answer uses named test methods and recent reports. Ask how many cycles the result covers, too.
8. What are the real MOQ and lead time?
Ask for the minimum per SKU, per colour and for custom branding, as these can differ. Then ask for lead time from sample approval, not from enquiry. A good answer breaks it down by stage, and our guide to MOQ, lead time and sampling shows what to expect.
9. Will a reorder match the first shipment?
Consistency is where many relationships fail. Ask how shade, yarn and construction are locked between orders. A good answer mentions an approved master sample, shade cards and lot records.
10. What happens if the shipment fails?
Ask this before you pay. Who decides, by what evidence, how quickly, and is the remedy a replacement, a credit or a refund? A good answer is specific and goes into the contract.
How do you score the answers?
| Answer | What it suggests |
|---|---|
| Documents within a day or two | Organised operation |
| Specific numbers and test names | Real production experience |
| "Yes" to everything, no detail | Check further before you commit |
| Reluctance to allow inspection | Serious warning sign |
| Very low price, few answers | Ask what has been taken out of the spec |
No supplier will have a perfect answer to everything. A supplier who says plainly "we don't hold that certificate" is more useful than one who implies it. What matters is whether the gaps affect your market, your laundry and your risk.
What should you do next?
Send the same ten questions to every shortlisted supplier, and compare the answers along with the samples and quotes. For the wider process, see our guide to sourcing from India and first-order checklist.
We are happy to be asked all ten. Send your product list to our sourcing team and we will answer them in writing against your spec.
Frequently asked
- How do I check whether an Indian exporter is genuine?
- Ask for the IEC and GSTIN, and verify them on India's official government portals. Check that the name matches the quote, the invoice and the bank account. Asking for a past inspection report and a physical sample also helps.
- Should I allow a supplier to skip third-party inspection?
- On a first order, it's better not to. An independent inspection before the balance payment gives you evidence, and a capable supplier should have no objection to it.
- What is the most important question to ask a linen supplier?
- There isn't one, but asking what happens if a shipment fails reveals a lot. A specific, written answer shows how the supplier behaves when something goes wrong.