Introduction — The Real Risk Behind Requesting a Trial Cargo

Buyers want a trial shipment to verify:

• Product quality (Q&Q / SGS)

• Seller legitimacy

• Operational capability

• Logistics reliability

• Financial performance

But refineries and real title holders are often reluctant because:

• Buyers who request “trial first” are usually inexperienced

• 95% of these requests come from intermediaries, not real buyers

• Fraudulent buyers use trials to access POP

• Buyers try to avoid bank instruments (LC/SBLC)

• Trial shipments require full logistics coordination

For buyers, the fear is the opposite:

• Losing money on fake DIP test

• Losing funds on a fraudulent trial

• Paying inspection fees without product

• Losing the MT103

• Being stuck in the wrong terminal

The goal of this article:

✔ Explain how to request a trial cargo professionally
✔ Use only safe, bank-recognized methods
✔ Avoid the classic traps
✔ Follow refinery-approved compliance
✔ Protect your funds 100%

This is the official, compliant, zero-loss method for 2025.

SECTION 1 — Understanding the Context: Why Trial Shipments Are Risky for Both Parties

1.1 From the Seller’s Perspective

A trial requires:

• Tank or vessel preparation

• Refinery allocation confirmation

• Terminal scheduling

• SGS/Saybolt/Intertek inspectors

• Legal SPA or TSA activation

• POP release

This costs money before the buyer pays.
Thus sellers need bank security.

1.2 From the Buyer’s Perspective

A buyer risks:

• Paying inspection on fake tanks

• Sending MT103 to fraudulent sellers

• Paying for vessel nomination without certainty

• Losing the full trial amount if seller disappears

• POP manipulation scams

The solution?
👉 Use banking instruments that protect both sides.

1.3 Why Most Trial Requests Fail

Because buyers ask:

• “Can we test 10,000 MT first?”

• “Can we do trial without POF?”

• “Can you send POP before SPA?”

• “Can you let us DIP before contract?”

Real refineries and title holders reject immediately.

SECTION 2 — The 100% Safe Method for Trial Shipment: Fully Explained (A–Z)

Here is the ONLY institutional model accepted in 2025.

2.1 Step 1 — Buyer Provides Full KYC + Corporate Profile

A trial is a real contract.
Thus buyer must submit:

• Company registration

• Passport + UBO details

• Corporate profile (2–6 pages)

• LOA (if mandate)

• Tank/storage or vessel details (if applicable)

Without this → trial impossible.

2.2 Step 2 — Procedure Alignment (Most Important Part)

Buyer must agree to:

• Seller’s procedure

• Refinery’s compliance sequence

• POP issuance order

• DTA requirements

• Payment terms

You cannot negotiate a refinery’s internal protocol.

2.3 Step 3 — SPA for Trial Cargo Only (Mini-Contract)

A proper trial follows a Trial SPA with:

• Quantity (10,000–50,000 MT typical)

• Price

• Terminal (Rotterdam/Houston/Fujairah/Jurong)

• Inspection rules

• Payment method

• POP release

• Timelines

• Liability clauses

Trial SPA = professional, enforceable.

2.4 Step 4 — SAFE POF Method (Critical)

To avoid losing money, use ONLY these methods:

Option A — MT799 (Proof of Funds – Readiness)

Bank-to-bank message.
No money moves.
Buyer risk = ZERO.

Option B — SBLC MT760 (Safest For Large Deals)

Funds stay in buyer’s bank.
Only a guarantee is issued.
Seller performs trial → buyer pays after SGS.

Option C — LC MT700 (For CIF Trials)

Payment ONLY after documents and delivery.
Zero risk.

Option D — Escrow (Rare but Sometimes Accepted)

Using Lloyds, Ocorian, Nordic Trustee.
Funds released ONLY AFTER SGS.

❌ Never pay upfront fees
❌ Never pay before POP
❌ Never send unsecured MT103
❌ Never pay for tank numbers

2.5 Step 5 — POP Release (Partial, Legally Accepted)

A real seller provides at minimum:

1. Q&Q certificate

2. Refinery injection report

3. Tank storage receipt (redacted)

4. SGS/Saybolt quality report

5. CPA/ATV confirmation

This is the POP required for a trial.

2.6 Step 6 — DTA → DIP Test → Q&Q (Standard Process)

✔ DTA (Dip Test Authorization)

Allows SGS to test the product in tank/vessel.

✔ Dip Test (SGS)

Proves the product exists, is real, and is the correct specification.

✔ Q&Q Report

Verifies the density, sulfur, flashpoint, and Euro classification.

This protects the buyer 100%.

2.7 Step 7 — Only After SGS → Buyer Pays with MT103

The safest method:

✔ DIP passed → buyer issues MT103
✔ Seller releases full POP (7 docs)
✔ Product is injected/loaded
✔ Deal is complete

Buyer loses zero money.

SECTION 3 — NNRV Expert Analysis: Mistakes Buyers Must Avoid to Stay Safe

3.1 The Buyer Asks for Trial Without POF

Instant rejection.
Refineries view this as unserious behavior.

3.2 Buyer Wants POP Before Any Compliance

Real refineries never do this.

3.3 Buyer Refuses to Sign Trial SPA

No contract = no trial.

3.4 Buyer Wants 5,000 MT Trial

Too small → viewed as non-institutional.

Minimum acceptable quantities:

• EN590: 10,000–50,000 MT

• Jet A1: 1M–2M barrels

Anything below → amateur buyer.

3.5 Buyer Does Not Understand Incoterms

If you mix FOB, CIF, TTT in one request → you fail compliance.

3.6 Buyer Uses Gmail/Yahoo

Refineries reject instantly.

Use only:

📧 @companydomain.com

SECTION 4 — The Step-by-Step Safe Trial Method (Day-by-Day Timeline)

📅 Day 1–2 – Buyer submits KYC + Corporate Profile

Compliance begins.

📅 Day 2–4 – Seller reviews + offers Trial SPA

Buyer reviews → signs.

📅 Day 4–6 – Buyer’s Bank sends MT799 / SBLC / LC

Zero-risk POF.

📅 Day 6–8 – Seller issues partial POP

Legal preliminary documents.

📅 Day 8–12 – SGS DIP Test / Q&Q

Buyer pays SGS or cost is included.

📅 Day 12–14 – Buyer issues MT103

Only after quality confirmed.

📅 Day 14–20 – Injection / Loading / Delivery

Trial is complete.

SECTION 5 — Buyer Questions vs Seller Questions (20 Total)

10 Buyer Questions

1. How do I avoid losing money in trial shipment?

2. Should I ever send upfront fees? (No)

3. What POF protects me? (MT799/SBLC/LC)

4. What is a safe trial quantity?

5. Can I request POP before SPA? (No)

6. Who pays SGS for trial?

7. Why must I sign a Trial SPA?

8. Can I refuse refinery procedure? (No)

9. When do I pay MT103?

10. Can NNRV structure the entire process? (Yes)

10 Seller Questions

1. Should I accept buyers who want trial but no POF? (No)

2. What documents should I release before trial?

3. How do I protect my allocation?

4. Who pays tank farm fees?

5. When should I issue DTA?

6. How do I avoid broker chains?

7. Should I allow CIF trial?

8. What POF is safest for seller? (SBLC MT760)

9. When do I release POP?

10. Can NNRV vet buyers for me? (Yes)

SECTION 6 — Institutional Proof: Why This Is the Only Safe Method

The method complies with:

• FATF AML/CTF rules

• ICC Incoterms 2020

• Basel III Banking Framework

• OFAC/EU sanctions law

• SGS/Intertek/Saybolt Q&Q standards

• Refinery KYC policy

• Terminal security requirements (ISPS)

Used by:

• Vitol

• Trafigura

• Gunvor

• Shell

• Mercuria

• BP

• TotalEnergies

This is the institutional gold standard for buyers.

SECTION 7 — Professional CTA

📌 Need a 100% Safe Trial Shipment? NNRV Secures Everything for You.

NNRV Trade Partners provides:

• Trial SPA structuring

• Secure POF setup (MT799/SBLC/LC)

• Buyer KYC preparation

• Seller verification

• POP compliance

• SGS coordination

• SWIFT procedure oversight

You get a zero-risk, refinery-compliant trial shipment.

📩 info@nnrvtradepartners.com
🌐 www.nnrvtradepartners.com

Mini FAQ (5 Key Questions)

1. Is a trial possible without POF?
   No — impossible.

2. Is upfront payment required?
   Never.

3. What POF protects me 100%?
   MT799 or SBLC MT760.

4. What is a realistic trial quantity?
   10,000–50,000 MT EN590.

5. Can NNRV structure a safe trial?
   Yes — fully.

Why Choose NNRV Trade Partners?

• Institutional petroleum compliance

• SWIFT procedure mastery

• Full transparency and security

• Zero-fraud trial architecture

• Capability to support large buyers

• Global supply chain expertise