Resolve the legal identity first
Start with the name on the proposed contract or invoice, its country of registration, company identifier, and address. Include the original local-language name alongside any English trading name. A familiar website, brand, or sales contact may represent more than one legal entity.
For example, a manufacturer’s mainland Chinese factory and a Hong Kong trading company can share branding while being separate companies. Identify the entity receiving your payment and explain the manufacturer’s role. If both require investigation, define each report subject before ordering.
Check what the available records establish
Registration information can help match a business to a legal record and identify its status, registered address, or representatives where available. Available directors, shareholders, and ownership relationships can add context. A registered director, authorized signatory, shareholder, and ultimate owner are different roles; the report should be read with those distinctions in mind.
A company credit report may add obtainable financial figures, payment information, public records, and a credit assessment. Check the source dates and missing information. Registration does not by itself establish a company’s trading capacity or ability to pay, and the absence of one document is not proof that the business is fictitious.
Choose the report around your verification question
Use the country directory to find local identifiers, report options, prices in US dollars, and delivery estimates. If you need a certified registry extract, a particular ownership relationship, or a specific financial period, contact the team about that requirement before purchasing. Do not assume every company report includes certified documents or a complete ownership investigation.
This service supplies business credit reports. A site inspection, identity check on an individual, product certification, or sanctions screening is a separate scope. Your team can use the company report within its existing supplier or customer approval process.
Choose the available report type
Same Day reports use existing sources for faster delivery where offered. Freshly Investigated reports involve gathering information when you order. Compare the report types, then check the current price and estimated delivery for the subject country.
Can I verify an overseas company using only its website?
A website is helpful context, but send the registered name, address, and company identifier where possible. Contact our team before ordering if the website cannot be matched to a clear legal entity.
Further reading for international businesses
The US International Trade Administration describes researching an overseas company or partner as part of evaluating a commercial relationship. International Trade Administration: company and partner risk (opens in a new tab).
Prepared by International Credit Reports.