Unless the parties choose another governing law, a contract with an Indian company is read under the Indian Contract Act 1872. A good contract sets out specifications, inspection, shipping terms, payment security and dispute resolution. Since Iraq joined the New York Convention in 2021, an arbitration clause seated in a convenient Convention country gives Iraqi buyers an enforceable remedy in India.
- Document route
- Iraqi notary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs legalisation, then Indian mission attestation
- Time difference
- IST is 2h30 ahead of Iraq all year
- Core law
- Indian Contract Act 1872
- Foreign awards
- Part II, Arbitration Act 1996
Commercial Contracts from Iraq: how it works
We draft and review supply contracts for rice, pharmaceuticals, meat, machinery and vehicles, focusing on quality specifications, pre-shipment inspection, Indian export licensing and certificates, Incoterms, payment by letter of credit or staged advances, and remedies for short or defective delivery.
For pharmaceuticals and food, we make sure registration and certification responsibilities are clearly allocated, since these often cause delays at Iraqi ports.
For long-term relationships, we add price review and reconciliation clauses, so that disputes over running accounts can be settled before they grow.
Iraqi importers often require Indian exporters to meet Iraqi standards and pre-shipment inspection by an approved agency; we write these requirements into the contract with the consequences of failure.
What clients in Iraq should know
- Use letters of credit for new suppliers.
- Specify inspection by an independent agency.
- Specify both the seat and the arbitral institution.
Step by step from Iraq
Video consultation
A call at a time that suits Iraq, after we have read your documents.
Documents signed in Iraq
Iraqi notary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs legalisation, then Indian mission attestation
Work in India
Our team files, appears and follows up in India, and shares scans of everything filed.
Result and handover
Certified copies and originals are couriered to you in Iraq where needed.
The full guide
This page covers what changes when you are in Iraq. For the law, the documents and the step-by-step procedure, read our main page on Commercial Contracts, or see all services for clients in Iraq and the Doing Business in India practice area.
Questions from clients in Iraq
Should we pay advances?
Only with security such as a bank guarantee.
Can you check the Indian exporter?
Yes, we check company records and litigation history.
Should we use arbitration?
Yes, it is now enforceable in India for Iraqi parties.
Who bears the cost of pre-shipment inspection?
Whoever the contract says; we make it explicit.