How to Comply with the Laws for Selling Online in India

Note: This article is intended for all businesses conducting commerce on the WhatsApp Business app in India (“Business”).
To comply with the commerce laws in India, you must provide certain information in your business profile and catalog.
The information showcases your products and services and provides your business credibility to customers.

Provide your Business information

  1. On Android, tap More options. On iPhone, tap Settings.
  2. Then, tap Business tools > Business Profile.
  3. In the Business details section, tap
    text edit
    .
  4. Tap
    text edit
    to add:
    1. Legal Name of Business: Enter the full legal name of your Business.
    2. Business Type: Select your business type from the options below:
      • Limited liability partnership
      • Sole proprietorship
      • Partnership
      • Public Company
      • Private Company
      • Other
      Note: If you select ‘Partnership’ or ‘Other’ as your business type, you’ll be asked if your Business is registered under applicable laws (Yes or No). We assume that your Business is registered under applicable law for all other options.
    3. Applicable License/Registration: Enter your business’s license or registration information.
    4. Customer Care Information: Enter the contact information for inquiries from your customers, like returns or refunds.
    5. Grievance Officer Information: Enter the Grievance officer contact information for complaints from your customers.
  5. Use the free text box to enter any other information that’s required under applicable law(s)

Provide your Business information for a catalog

Business details are required when creating a catalog for the first time.
  1. On Android, tap More options. On iPhone, tap Settings.
  2. Then, tap Business tools > Catalog.
  3. Tap Add item.
  4. Add business information for the following sections:
    1. Legal Name of Business: Enter the full legal name of your Business.
    2. Business Type: Select your business type. The options include:
      • Limited liability partnership
      • Sole proprietorship
      • Partnership
      • Public Company
      • Private Company
      • Other
      Note: If you select ‘Partnership’ or ‘Other’ as your business type, you will be asked if your Business is registered under applicable laws (Yes or No). We assume that your Business is registered under applicable law for all other options.
    3. Business Address: Enter the address for your Business. This should be the same address shared in your business profile.
    4. Customer Care Information: Enter the contact information of the individual who will respond to and resolve the inquiries from your customers, such as returns or refunds. It’s required to provide an email address and at least one landline or mobile phone number.
    5. Grievance Officer Information: Enter the contact information of the individual who will respond to and resolve any complaints from your customers. It’s required to provide the grievance officer name and at least one contact method such as email, landline phone number or mobile number.
  5. Use the free text box in the Business Description section of the profile to enter any other information that you are required to provide under applicable law(s).
  6. If prompted, tap Next > Add new item. Your catalog is created.
You can edit your Business Details at any time.
  1. Navigate to the Chats tab.
  2. On Android, tap More options. On iPhone, tap Settings.
  3. Then, tap Business tools > Business Profile.
  4. In the Business details section, tap
    text edit
    .

Provide product information in your catalog

  1. On Android, tap More options. On iPhone, tap Settings.
  2. Tap Catalog.
  3. Tap a product. Then, tap Edit
    text edit
    or More options > Edit.
  4. Tap Country of Origin.
  5. Select the country of origin for the product item > Confirm.
    • If the country of origin is India, India is automatically added to the Country of Origin field.
    • If the country of origin isn’t India, the selected country is automatically added to the Country of Origin field. Tap Importer Information and fill out these additional fields:
      1. Name of Importer: The legal entity name of the importer.
      2. Importer Address: The operational address of the importer.
        3. Note: If the item is a non-physical good sold in India, such as a service, please select Not applicable in the Country of Origin field.
      3. Tap Done.
  6. Use the free text box to enter any other information that’s required under applicable law(s).
  7. Tap Save.
The product item information will be reviewed. Once it’s approved, your customers will see it on your profile.
If a user requests WhatsApp to provide additional information about you after a purchase, WhatsApp may reach out to you for additional Business information, including:
  • the principle geographic address of your headquarters and all branches
  • the name and details of your website
  • your email address
  • any other information that may be necessary for the user’s communication with you

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