Provides advice on how to perform due diligence and in what areas it is necessary for a U.S. company. Includes information on the U.S. Commercial Service International Company Profile service.
Last Published: 7/22/2019
Publicly listed companies are required to publish audited financial results, which can be checked prior to entering into business agreements.  Stock brokers also publish corporate evaluations for publicly listed companies.  Fitch Ratings, Moody’s, and Standard and Poor’s provide rating information for banks and financial institutions and some conglomerates and large companies.

Business consultancy firms and law firms can perform due diligence.  In smaller transactions, letters of credit are a standard requirement for potential customers, while bank references and historical records can be checked prior to appointing agents.

U.S. companies doing business initially with local companies or distributors are advised to carry out proper due diligence to ensure the reliability of these companies.  The U.S. Embassy can also assist in verifying the authenticity of local companies.

The International Company Profile (ICP) offers low-cost, quick background checks and due-diligence reports on potential buyers and partners.  The report includes factual data as well as the Embassy’s evaluation to help U.S. firms assess risk, reliability, and capability for U.S. companies looking for background checks on local partners.  Interested companies should contact the U.S.

Department of Commerce’s Export Assistance Centers in their respective states (
www.export.gov).  The U.S. Commercial Service has a network of export and industry specialists located in more than 100 U.S. cities.

Prepared by our U.S. Embassies abroad. With its network of 108 offices across the United States and in more than 75 countries, the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the U.S. Commercial Service trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.