Before you write to us

We act as an intermediary between buyers and suppliers of physical goods. We do not hold stock and we do not take title to cargo. We work from a written requirement, identify and verify the counterparty on the other side, and coordinate the commercial discussion, documentation and logistics questions through to execution.

No. We operate strictly as an intermediary on third-party mandates. Where we purchase in our own name, it is exclusively for our own brand under our own licences — never as an undisclosed markup on a client's transaction.

Through a consultancy agreement and a success-based commission, both agreed in writing before work begins. The structure varies by product, corridor and the amount of work involved. We do not work on an informal or speculative basis.

No. Where a requirement sits outside the categories we already work in, it requires genuine research, verification and market analysis — that work is contracted and paid for. We would rather be direct about this at the outset than take on a mandate we cannot properly service.

We take mandates from around US$800,000. We are structured for substantial contracts and we are not the right partner for small consignments. A single container is normally handled only as a trial shipment, used to establish confidence between the parties ahead of volume business.

Yes. Use the supplier side of the contact form. What we need first is the grade and specification you produce, your available volume, the markets you have already exported to, and any certifications you hold. Suppliers and buyers are equally welcome.

It is established at the outset whose mandate we are acting on, and that is disclosed to both parties. Currently we hold more supply-side than buy-side mandates, which is normal in this business.

We acknowledge within three to four hours during working hours. We then establish the full specification, put the engagement terms in writing, and begin market analysis and counterparty identification. From a defined mandate to a workable commercial position is typically two to three months, depending on the product and corridor.

A written mandate defining the requirement and our role, and a non-circumvention and non-disclosure agreement protecting both sides. Depending on the transaction we may also request an ICPO from the buyer. Nothing is circulated to a counterparty before this is in place.

Against evidence, not conversation. We review documented import and export history through commercial trade and customs-data sources, and we ask for bank-confirmed proof of funds where the transaction warrants it. A counterparty who cannot substantiate either does not proceed.

Commonly FOB, CIF, CFR, EXW and DAP, among others. On payment we work with documentary letters of credit, telegraphic transfer and escrow arrangements. We will always recommend the structure that reduces exposure for both sides rather than the one that closes fastest.

Inspection is arranged as part of the process. It is carried out by independent third parties, and BGI Brokers does not assume liability for their findings, for damage, or for loss.

No. Documents are issued by the parties and authorities responsible for them. We transmit and coordinate documentation between the parties; we do not originate it and we do not warrant its accuracy.

Where the contract provides for it, yes. On other mandates the buyer arranges its own carriage. This is settled in writing before execution so there is no ambiguity later.

We work to resolve it between the parties. Where the fault lies clearly with one side, the compensation and remedies set out in the underlying contract apply between those parties. Our role is coordination, not indemnity.

Yes. We do not deal in sanctioned goods, with sanctioned parties or jurisdictions, or in anything unlawful in the origin or destination market. We decline business that does not pass screening, and we do so before any counterparty is introduced rather than after.

Before a counterparty is engaged we screen the company, its beneficial owners and its directors against the consolidated sanctions and restricted-party lists applicable to the corridor — including the jurisdictions of the origin, the destination, the banking route and the flag of carriage. We also check the goods themselves against restricted-item and dual-use classifications, since a permitted counterparty can still be offering a restricted product. Screening is repeated if ownership or routing changes during a mandate. Where a position is unclear we ask the parties to obtain their own legal or banking confirmation rather than form a view ourselves.

It works when both sides are serious and do what they say they will. It stops when a party avoids straightforward questions — when proof of funds is requested and the conversation suddenly changes subject. We would rather lose an enquiry early than waste months on it.

No. Counterparty identities, pricing and terms remain between the parties they concern, under the non-disclosure terms agreed at the outset. This is why we do not publish client names or case studies.

English, Arabic, French, Russian, Mandarin and Armenian, in-house. In cross-border trade this removes an entire category of misunderstanding.