Proof of Product (POP): What Is Real, What Is Fake, What Is Illegal
How to verify EN590 & Jet A1 without getting scammed, blacklisted, or exposed.
Introduction — POP Is Where Most Buyers Lose the Deal
In theory, Proof of Product (POP) sounds simple: the seller proves the fuel exists.
In reality, POP is the #1 scam zone in EN590, Jet A1, and ULSD trading.
Every week, buyers are:
- Shown fake documents
- Asked for illegal confirmations
- Tricked into revealing bank details
- Rejected by real sellers without knowing why
Understanding what POP is, what it is not, and what is illegal to request is the difference between closing a deal and getting burned.
1. What Proof of Product (POP) Really Means
Real POP answers only one question:
Does the seller currently control the fuel?
POP is not marketing. POP is not persuasion. POP is not a promise.
Legitimate POP proves:
- Product exists
- Product is in a recognized terminal
- Seller has legal title or lifting rights
- Product is available for the stated delivery method
2. What Real POP Looks Like (Seller-Accepted)
Real sellers accept only limited, controlled POP.
Acceptable POP Examples
- Redacted Tank Storage Receipt (TSR)
- Terminal Confirmation Letter (TC)
- Recent SGS / Intertek report (terminal-issued)
- Product passport with terminal reference
Key characteristics of real POP:
- Names partially redacted
- No buyer exposure
- Issued by terminals or inspectors, not brokers
- Verifiable after SPA is signed
If it looks boring, controlled, and limited — it is probably real.
3. Fake POP: The Documents That Kill Deals
Most POP shown online is fake, recycled, or misused.
Common Fake POP Documents
- Unredacted SGS reports
- Old test results with no terminal link
- “POP certificates” (not a real document)
- Photos of tanks with no terminal name
- Editable PDFs with copied logos
If a seller sends:
- Too much information
- Immediately, without SPA
- Without restrictions
It is almost always fake.
4. Illegal POP Requests Buyers Don’t Realize Are Illegal
Many buyers unknowingly ask for documents that are legally prohibited.
Illegal or Prohibited POP Requests
- Unredacted Tank Storage Receipt
- Seller bank coordinates
- Terminal login screenshots
- Authority to Sell (ATS)
- Allocation letters
Requesting these:
- Violates terminal confidentiality
- Triggers seller rejection
- Gets buyers flagged or blacklisted
Real sellers will walk away immediately.
5. Why Brokers Mislead Buyers About POP
Brokers often promise POP because:
- They don’t control product
- They confuse marketing with execution
- They reuse old documents to look legitimate
If a broker says:
“POP will be issued before contract”
You are not dealing with a real seller.
6. How Real Sellers Protect POP
Real sellers protect POP because it is sensitive.
They release POP:
- Only after SPA is signed
- Only against buyer seriousness
- Only through official channels
POP is verification — not persuasion.
7. How to Verify EN590 & Jet A1 Without POP Traps
Smart buyers verify without demanding illegal documents.
Correct Verification Path
- Seller credibility check
- Terminal location consistency
- Delivery method realism (TTT, TTV, CIF)
- SPA structure review
- Post-contract inspection via SGS / Intertek
Verification happens through process — not PDFs.
8. Why Real Sellers Don’t Need to Prove Anything Early
Real sellers:
- Already have buyers
- Already have bank lines
- Already pass terminal compliance
They don’t chase buyers with documents.
Buyers who demand excessive POP signal inexperience.
FAQ — Proof of Product Explained
- Is POP mandatory?
Yes — but only at the correct stage. - Should POP be issued before SPA?
No. That is a red flag. - Are SGS reports always real?
No. Many are recycled or altered. - Is ATS a real document?
No. It is commonly used in scams. - How do real buyers verify product?
Through contracts, terminals, and inspectors — not emails.
Conclusion — POP Is a Filter, Not a Gift
Proof of Product is designed to protect sellers — not convince buyers.
Buyers who understand this:
- Avoid scams
- Avoid rejection
- Close real deals
Those who chase illegal or fake POP expose themselves immediately.
In fuel trading, the fastest way to lose credibility is to ask for the wrong proof.
