Master FAQ Library

We facilitate India–EU bilateral trade and advisory services — matching Indian exporters with European buyers, structuring deals, managing documentation, and earning a commission when transactions close. We also operate as documentation-led merchant traders (sitting legally in the commercial chain without owning inventory), provide retained strategic advisory, and facilitate immigration, investment, and real estate introductions. Both principals — Vinod Kumar Jain in Panchkula and Amit Jain in Porto — are personally engaged in every mandate.

For trade facilitation and brokerage mandates, we charge no upfront fee. Our income is earned exclusively on deal completion — when goods are shipped and paid for, or when a transaction closes. For advisory and consultancy mandates (our Tier 1 services), a monthly retainer applies because the deliverable is intelligence and strategy, not a closed deal. For immigration orientation and compliance gap assessments, a fixed advisory fee applies. All fees are disclosed in the mandate agreement before any engagement begins.

We earn a commission of 2–25% of the deal value when a transaction closes, or a merchant margin when we operate as merchant of record (buying from the supplier and selling to the buyer on paper). The commission percentage varies by vertical — trade facilitation runs 2–7%, business brokerage 3–10%, IT recruitment 15–25% of CTC. All rates are stated in the Commission Agency Agreement signed before any introduction.

Usually the supplier/exporter side pays our commission, since they are the primary beneficiary of our buyer origination. For business brokerage, the seller pays. For real estate, the licensed agent pays from their existing commission — zero cost to the buyer. For IT recruitment, the EU employer pays. For advisory and retainer services, the client pays directly. The paying party is always specified in the Commission Agency Agreement.

For trade facilitation, we typically engage from €5,000 per deal. For business brokerage, M&A, and technology transfer, minimum deal sizes are typically €250,000+. For advisory services, there is no minimum — we price by scope. These are guidelines, not rigid rules; we assess each enquiry on its merits.

The NCNDA (Non-Circumvention, Non-Disclosure & Non-Competition Agreement) and Commission Agency Agreement are both executed before any introduction is made. These are legally binding documents. The NCNDA prevents either party from bypassing us to deal directly for a defined circumvention period (typically 3–5 years). The Commission Agency Agreement specifies the rate, trigger, and payment timeline.

An NCNDA — Non-Circumvention, Non-Disclosure & Non-Competition Agreement — protects the intermediary from being bypassed once they have introduced buyer and seller. Without it, an unscrupulous counterparty could take our introduction and deal directly, cutting us out of the commission. We require it before any principal identity is shared — no exception. It also protects both buyer and seller by ensuring that commercially sensitive information (pricing, product specifications, client lists) shared during the process remains confidential.

Yes, when structured correctly. Our NCNDA specifies governing law (Portuguese law for EU-side, Indian law or Portuguese law for India-side), the seat of arbitration (typically ICC or LCIA for India–EU deals), and the non-circumvention period. We recommend that both parties have the document reviewed by legal counsel in their jurisdiction before signing. Enforceability depends on the governing law chosen and the courts/arbitral panel in the specified jurisdiction.

After the NCNDA, a Commission Agency Agreement is executed specifying the commission rate, trigger, currency, and payment timeline. For merchant trading arrangements, we also issue a back-to-back commercial invoice. For large mandates, a formal Mandate Agreement or Letter of Authority may be executed. For M&A and technology transfer, an LOI (Letter of Intent) precedes the principal transaction. Full document checklist: see our Documentation Framework page.

We strongly recommend it. We can introduce lawyers in India (for Indian exporters) and Portugal or other EU member states (for EU buyers), but we do not ourselves provide legal advice. Our document templates are starting points; the executed documents should be reviewed by qualified legal counsel in the relevant jurisdiction.

For India–EU commercial contracts, we recommend ICC (International Chamber of Commerce) arbitration seated in Lisbon or Singapore — both are internationally recognised arbitral seats with strong enforcement mechanisms. Indian law courts can be used for India-domestic disputes. EU-side disputes can use national courts or LCIA arbitration. The governing law, seat, and institution should be specified in every supply contract, not just the NCNDA.

No. Most tariff lines have staging schedules — phased duty reductions over 3, 5, 7, or 10 years. A small number of lines received immediate zero-duty treatment on the FTA's entry into force. The applicable staging period depends on the specific HS code. Share your HS code and we will identify the applicable staging schedule within 24 hours.

The EU importer must claim preferential treatment at the time of import declaration — by referencing either (a) a Declaration of Origin on the supplier's commercial invoice (for approved exporters), or (b) a Certificate of Origin issued by a competent authority in India (typically DGFT or Chamber of Commerce). The buyer should retain this documentation for 3 years, as EU customs may audit preference claims retroactively.

Rules of Origin (ROO) determine whether a product qualifies as "originating" from India for FTA preferential duty treatment. A product assembled in India from third-country (e.g., Chinese) components may not qualify — it depends on the specific ROO for that HS chapter. Tests include: minimum regional value content (typically 30–50%), tariff classification change (the final product must be in a different HS heading than the main inputs), or specific process requirements. We map your product against the applicable ROO as part of our FTA advisory service.

Only if the goods were not substantially transformed in UAE — i.e., they remain in essentially the same state as when they left India. UAE transit or warehousing without processing preserves India origin. However, if goods undergo processing in UAE (repackaging, labelling, minor assembly), they may qualify as UAE origin — which has different (and potentially also preferential) access to EU markets under EU–UAE trade frameworks. This requires case-by-case assessment.

Yes. The FTA includes a services chapter covering all four GATS modes: Mode 1 (cross-border supply — remote delivery), Mode 2 (consumption abroad), Mode 3 (commercial presence — establishing an EU subsidiary), and Mode 4 (temporary movement of professionals). For IT services, the most impactful provisions are Mode 1 (already largely unimpeded) and Mode 4 (creating more structured professional mobility pathways for Indian IT professionals in EU member states). Mutual recognition of IT professional qualifications, if included, would be the most significant professional services provision.

CBAM — Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism — is an EU regulation requiring EU importers of certain carbon-intensive goods (currently: steel, cement, aluminium, fertilisers, electricity, and hydrogen) to declare and pay for the carbon embedded in imported products. It entered a transitional reporting phase in 2023 and full financial obligations apply from 2026. Indian exporters in these categories must provide carbon intensity data to their EU buyers. We coordinate with specialist CBAM consultants for clients in scope.

A Harmonized System (HS) code is an internationally standardised 8-digit number that classifies every tradeable product. It determines: (a) the import duty rate at destination, (b) which FTA staging schedule applies, (c) whether any import licence, certificate, or special documentation is required, and (d) statistical reporting. Incorrect HS classification is the most common cause of customs delays, incorrect duty payment, and FTA preference denial. Vinod Kumar Jain coordinates HS classification for India-origin goods; Amit Jain coordinates EU import HS mapping.

For sea freight from India to EU: FOB (Free On Board) is the most common — the Indian exporter clears goods for export and delivers to the port; the EU buyer arranges freight and insurance from there. CIF (Cost, Insurance & Freight) transfers risk at the destination port — the exporter arranges and pays for freight and insurance. DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) is used for D2C or Amazon FBA where the seller takes full responsibility to the buyer's premises including EU duty and import clearance. We advise on Incoterms selection as part of every deal structuring.

An LC is a bank-guaranteed payment instrument: the buyer's bank commits irrevocably to pay the seller's bank upon presentation of specified shipping documents (invoice, BL, CoO, etc.) that comply with the LC terms. LCs are used when: (a) the buyer is unknown, (b) the deal value is large, (c) country risk is elevated, or (d) the seller requires payment security before production. LCs add cost (bank charges: 0.5–2% of value) and complexity, but they are the most robust payment security instrument in international trade. We advise on LC structuring and coordinate with banks on both sides.

Pre-shipment inspection (PSI) by an independent agency (SGS, Bureau Veritas, Intertek, QIMA) involves a physical inspection of goods before loading — verifying quantity, quality, packaging, labelling, and documentation against the purchase order and contract specifications. It is not legally mandatory for most India–EU trade, but it is strongly recommended for first orders with new suppliers, large shipments, and any perishable or quality-critical goods. We build PSI requirements into supply contracts and coordinate with inspection agencies.

The core document set: (1) Commercial Invoice — quantity, description, value, Incoterms, buyer/seller; (2) Packing List — physical details matching invoice; (3) Bill of Lading (sea) or Airway Bill (air) — transport and title document; (4) Certificate of Origin — for FTA preference claim; (5) Shipping Bill — Indian customs export clearance; (6) EU Import Declaration (SAD) — EU customs clearance. Additional documents vary by product: phytosanitary certificate (agro), GMP certificate (pharma), CE declaration (machinery/electronics), MSDS (chemicals). Full list in our Documentation Framework.

Contact either principal directly — Vinod Kumar Jain (India, +91 98765 XXXXX) or Amit Jain (EU, +351 XXX XXX XXX) — or use the Contact page. We schedule a 30–60 minute discovery call, assess fit, and if there is a genuine opportunity, issue a mandate agreement. The NCNDA and Commission Agency Agreement are executed before any introduction. Timeline from first contact to first introduction: typically 2–4 weeks for trade facilitation; 4–8 weeks for complex mandates.

No. We work with both Indian and European principals, and with companies based in third countries (UAE, ASEAN, Africa, Americas) where the mandate involves India or the EU as a supply or destination market. Our 30 verticals are equally available to Indian exporters, EU importers, and any party seeking bilateral access to either market.

Yes. Exclusive mandates — where we commit not to introduce other suppliers/buyers for a defined period and territory — are available for a combination of retainer plus commission, or a higher commission rate. Exclusivity is negotiated deal-by-deal. We advise clients on whether exclusivity is strategically appropriate for their mandate.

Our commission is earned on deal completion. If a deal takes 18 months instead of 6 months, we are still engaged throughout — at no additional cost. Mandates include a minimum term (typically 12 months) during which we actively work the deal. After the minimum term, both parties can review. We include a tail period (typically 12–24 months after mandate expiry) during which commission is still due on deals that close with counterparties we introduced.

Vinod Kumar Jain travels within India for factory visits, supplier meetings, and trade events. Amit Jain travels within Europe (Porto base) and can travel to India for major client engagements. Travel costs for site visits are discussed at mandate stage — for large mandates, we absorb travel; for smaller mandates, travel may be client-reimbursed. Video calls handle the majority of commercial interactions effectively.

We operate a strict conflict-of-interest policy: we do not simultaneously represent competing buyers for the same supplier, or competing suppliers to the same buyer. Where a conflict arises, we disclose it and either recuse from one mandate or obtain written consent from both parties to operate in a disclosed dual-agency capacity. The NCNDA and mandate agreement both address this.

The D2 Visa is Portugal's residency route for self-employed individuals and entrepreneurs who wish to establish a business or professional activity in Portugal. Unlike the (now-closed) real estate Golden Visa route, the D2 requires a viable business plan demonstrating economic value creation in Portugal — typically evidenced by business registration, initial capital (generally €5,000+), and a credible revenue projection. Vinod Kumar Jain and Amit Jain are themselves co-applicants for the D2 Visa, giving us direct, practitioner-level knowledge of the process. We provide orientation and introduce licensed Portuguese immigration lawyers for formal applications.

The NHR (Non-Habitual Resident) programme was replaced in 2024 by the IFICI (Incentivo Fiscal à Investigação Científica e Inovação) regime. Qualifying new tax residents can access a flat 20% income tax rate on Portuguese-source income (and exemptions on certain foreign-source income) for 10 years. This is one of the most competitive personal tax positions in the EU. We provide orientation only — for formal tax advice, we introduce specialist Portuguese tax lawyers.

No. Our real estate referral fee is paid by the licensed Portuguese real estate agent from their existing commission. The buyer's total purchase costs are not increased by our involvement. We earn by referring qualified Indian buyers to licensed agents — the agent shares a portion of their commission with us as a referral fee.

We provide orientation on the process (sociedade por quotas / LDA setup, NIF registration, social security enrollment, VAT registration, bank account opening) and introduce licensed service providers (lawyers, accountants, registered company formation agents). We do not ourselves incorporate companies or provide legal or tax advice. The D2 Entrepreneur Visa process includes business setup as a component — we advise on the business plan requirements and introduce the professionals who execute the legal work.

Correct. We charge zero upfront franchise fee. We earn only when you earn — 30–40% of fees you generate from locally originated mandates is your revenue share, with no capital at risk from your side. Our investment is in time, brand, and deal flow infrastructure. Our return comes from the 60–70% of your deal fees that flows to the principal operation.

Realistic expectation: 3–6 months from onboarding to first deal close, assuming active commercial effort from day one. Year 1 is largely relationship and pipeline building. Years 2–3 typically see compounding returns as relationships mature and repeat deals flow. We communicate these timelines honestly at the outset — the franchise opportunity is not a quick-win; it is a medium-term income-building practice.

Monthly strategy call with both Vinod Kumar Jain and Amit Jain. Access to our commercial templates, mandate agreements, NCNDA templates, and compliance frameworks. Introduction to our specialist consultant network (immigration lawyers, regulatory consultants, freight forwarders). Cross-referral deal flow from the India–EU principal operation and other franchise partners. Ongoing market intelligence and FTA update alerts.

Yes, provided there is no conflict of interest with your existing commercial activities. Most of our franchise partners maintain their existing professional activities alongside building the Global Nexus practice — particularly in the early years when deal flow is being established. We assess conflicts case-by-case at onboarding.