Lesson 5: CIS

(Company Information Sheet)

Purpose, Structure, Verification, and Professional Templates

Introduction

In global trading, trust and verification are essential. Before a seller shares detailed pricing, reserves goods, or issues an FCO, they often request a CIS (Company Information Sheet).

A CIS provides the seller with the necessary details to verify that the buyer is a legitimate, registered company capable of participating in international transactions.


This lesson teaches

  • What a CIS is and why it matters
  • What information must be included
  • How sellers use CIS for verification
  • Common mistakes to avoid
  • A complete CIS template you can use immediately

CIS is one of the simplest documents in trading — yet it is one of the most powerful tools for preventing fraud and misunderstandings.

1. What Is a CIS (Company Information Sheet)?

A CIS is a buyer’s company profile, officially submitted to the seller to prove:



  • The buyer is an honest company
  • The contact person is authorized.
  • The company can engage in international trade.
  • The request is legitimate, not from a fake broker.s

It is part of the standard KYC (Know Your Customer) process.


Important:

A CIS is not a financial guarantee.

It only confirms identity—not purchasing power.

2. Why Sellers Request a CIS

Sellers request CIS to:



  • Confirm the buyer exists
  • Verify company registration
  • Perform internal KYC checks.
  • Filter out fake inquiries.
  • Prepare SCO/FCO with the correct buyer information
  • Ensure communication is professional

Reliable suppliers need this before offering serious pricing or allocating product

3. When Should CIS Be Issued?

A CIS is typically requested:

  • Before receiving FCO
  • After submitting the LOI or ICPO
  • Before contract negotiation
  • When the seller wants to verify the buyer’s identity

Correct sequence:

  • Buyer inquiry
  • Seller shares basic price indication
  • Seller requests LOI → buyer sends LOI
  • Seller requests CIS → buyer sends CIS
  • Seller issues SCO or FCO

This is the standard professional flow.

4. Who Should Issue the CIS?

Only the buyer or the buyer’s authorized representative can issue CIS.


Brokers cannot submit a CIS on behalf of the buyer unless

  • They have written authorization
  • Buyer is copied in on all communication
  • Buyer approves the content

5. What Information Must Be Included in a CIS?

A strong, professional CIS includes:

A) Company Legal Information

  • Legal company name
  • Company registration number
  • Country of incorporation
  • Tax ID (if applicable)
  • Office address

B) Contact Information

  • Official email
  • Phone number
  • Website
  • Company LinkedIn or social media

(optional but helpful)

 C)Authorized Signatory Information

  • Full name
  • Position (CEO, Purchasing Director, etc.)
  • Passport number (optional)
  • Nationality
  • Direct email & phone

D) Banking Information (Basic)

(Not complete bank statements — just institutional details)



  • Bank name
  • Bank address
  • SWIFT/BIC
  • Account name

This helps the seller perform preliminary KYC checks.

E) Company Activities Summary (Optional but Recommended)

A short description of:


  • Nature of business
  • Trading history
  • Areas of specialization
  • Previous import/export experience

This builds credibility.

6. What CIS Should Not Include

Many beginners make mistakes by including unnecessary or risky data.


❌ Do NOT include

  • Bank balances
  • Proof of funds
  • Sensitive internal documents
  • POP requests
  • Unverified contacts
  • Overpromised purchasing commitments

A CIS is informational — not financial.

7. CIS Verification: What Sellers Actually Check

When a seller receives your CIS, they usually check:


7.1. Company registration

Through government databases or corporate registries.


7.2. Website legitimacy

A real business typically has:

  • Functional website
  • Professional email
  • Real office address


7.3. Authorized signatory identity

Sellers ensure the person signing the CIS is part of the company.


7.4. Bank legitimacy

Verifying if the listed bank is real and operational.


7.5. Mandate authenticity (if applicable)

Confirming whether the broker or mandate is officially authorized.


These steps protect both parties and build confidence.

8. Common Mistakes in CIS (and How to Avoid Them)

❌ Mistake 1: Fake or outdated company information

→ Always use official, verifiable data.


❌ Mistake 2: Using personal email (Gmail, Yahoo)

→ Use corporate email (e.g., info@company.com).


❌ Mistake 3: Missing authorized signer

→ Every CIS must include a real decision-maker.


❌ Mistake 4: Sending CIS with no LOI/ICP

→ CIS should follow LOI or ICPO, not precede them.


❌ Mistake 5: Overcomplication

→ CIS must be simple, clean, and factual.

9. Professional CIS Template

Below is a complete professional CIS template.

CIS TEMPLATE (Company Information Sheet)

(Use on Company Letterhead)


 Date

To: [Seller Company Name]

Subject: Company Information Sheet (CIS)


Company Legal Information

Company Name:

Registration Number:

Country of Registration:

Tax ID / VAT Number:

Registered Address:

Company Website:


Contact Information

Official Email:

Phone Number:

Office Hours:


authorized Signature

Full Name:

Position:

Direct Email:

Direct Phone:

Passport Number (optional):

Nationality:


yanking Information

Bank Name:

Bank Address:

Account Name:

SWIFT/BIC:

(Note: This is for verification only — not for transactions.)


Business Activity Summar

[Short paragraph describing company activities, trading experience, or relevant background]



declaration

We hereby confirm that the information provided above is true and correct.

This CIS is issued solely for KYC verification and trading discussions.

Sincerely,

[Name of Authorized Signatory]

[Position]

Signature & Company Stamp

10. CIS in the Trading Workflow

Here is where CIS fits into the bigger picture:


  • Buyer inquiry
  • Seller provides introductory pricing.
  • Buyer issues LOI
  • Seller requests CIS
  • Buyer submits CIS
  • Seller issues SCO or FCO.
  • ICPO (if not yet issued)
  • Contract negotiation
  • Payment instrument issuance

Understanding this flow is essential before moving to advanced lessons.

Conclusion

The CIS is a crucial identity verification document that enables sellers to confirm a buyer's legitimacy before proceeding with serious negotiations.

A professional CIS builds trust, speeds up deal-making, and positions you as a credible participant in international trade.

Continue to the Next Lesson

In the following lessons, you will learn:


Lesson 6 – SCO (Soft Corporate Offer)

Meaning, Process, and How to Recognize Real vs Fake Offers