Introduction — Why Most Buyers Misunderstand DTA (and Lose the Deal Before POP)

In 2025, one of the most misunderstood documents in petroleum transactions—EN590, Jet A1, Crude, D2, etc.—is the DTA (Dip Test Authorization).

Buyers constantly ask:

• “Why can’t I get DTA before POP?”

• “Why must SPA come first?”

• “Why does seller control DTA?”

• “Why do some sellers refuse to issue DTA early?”

• “Why do brokers think DTA = POP?”

The truth:

👉 DTA is a post-POP operational document that opens the terminal door to SGS.
👉 It cannot be issued casually.
👉 It is controlled by the terminal operator, not the seller.

This article explains:

• What DTA really is

• The institutional process behind it

• Why real sellers protect DTA

• Why fake sellers misuse DTA

• When DTA is issued in real procedures

• The compliance risks for both parties

• What buyers MUST understand before signing

This is the 2025 authoritative guide.

SECTION 1 — Understanding the Industry Context (Macro + Compliance)

1.1 Terminal Access Is Heavily Regulated

All major petroleum terminals—Rotterdam, Fujairah, Houston, Jurong—operate under:

• ISPS Port Security

• Terminal regulatory protocols

• Tank farm safety procedures

• KYC + AML

• Pre-registered inspection scheduling

• Coordination with SGS/Intertek/Saybolt

• Insurance + liability guidelines

Because of these requirements:

👉 Terminal access cannot be given without formal authorization
👉 DTA must be issued only after compliance & SPA

Any deviation is a red flag.

1.2 DIP Test Authorization = Legal Access to Seller’s Tank

DTA is NOT:

• POP

• Proof of product

• Title transfer

• Guarantee of availability

• Tank ownership document

DTA only authorizes buyer’s inspector (SGS) to:

• Enter the tank

• Perform DIP test

• Conduct Q&Q

• Verify density & sulfur

• Confirm the product exists

A real DTA includes:

• Tank number

• Tank farm name

• Terminal address

• Seller’s authorization code

• Time window for inspection

• Inspector name

• Buyer company name

• SPA reference

Terminals NEVER allow access without it.

1.3 Why DTA Cannot Come Before POP

POP includes:

• TSR (Tank Storage Receipt)

• ATV / CPA

• SGS Q&Q

• Injection reports

• Terminal operator confirmation

POP proves the product exists.
DTA allows inspection of the product already proven.

Sequence matters:

1️⃣ POP → product exists
2️⃣ DTA → go inspect it

Fake sellers reverse the order because they have no POP.

SECTION 2 — Explanation From A to Z: How DTA Works

2.1 What DTA Is (Real Definition)

DTA (Dip Test Authorization) is a legally binding document issued by the tank farm or terminal operator confirming:

• The buyer’s inspector is authorized

• The tank contains the agreed product

• The terminal approves the inspection

• The seller has paid tank fees

• The seller is in good operational standing

There is NO DTA without active tank lease.

2.2 Who Issues DTA?

Not the seller.

DTA is issued by:

✔ Tank farm operator (Vopak, Oiltanking, VTTI, Koole)
✔ Terminal operations department
✔ Sometimes via seller’s logistics coordinator

The seller only requests DTA from the terminal.

2.3 When DTA Is Issued (Correct Timing)

The correct institutional workflow:

1. ICPO

2. SCO

3. NCNDA/IMFPA

4. SPA signing

5. Partial POP issued

6. Buyer sends MT799 or proof of financial readiness

7. Terminal issues DTA

8. DIP test / Q&Q conducted

9. Buyer pays MT103

10. Injection/Loading

Any seller offering DTA before SPA or POP is fake.

2.4 Why Sellers Cannot Release DTA Early

Operational reason:
Terminal will not allow DTA without SPA + compliance.

Legal reason:
DTA exposes tank identity and product location.

Financial reason:
Revealing DTA early risks tank poaching attempts.

Security reason:
Terminals must prevent unauthorized access.

2.5 Types of DTA

1. Pre-Authorized DTA (Rare)

Issued only when seller has long-term contracts.

2. Standard DTA (Common)

Issued after POP + MT799.

3. Conditional DTA

Subject to terminal scheduling.

4. Buyer-specific DTA

Includes the name and passport of the buyer’s inspector.

SECTION 3 — NNRV Expert Analysis: The Hidden Risks Buyers Ignore

3.1 DTA Is the Most Sensitive Document in the Transaction

When you receive DTA, you know:

• Tank number

• Tank farm

• Product location

• Operational schedule

• Injection status

• Real Q&Q

This is why scammers NEVER provide real DTA.

3.2 Why Fake Sellers Push for “DTA First”

Because they have:

• No tank

• No allocation

• No refinery connection

• No POP

• No operational rights

They try to convince buyers that:

“DTA before POP is normal.”

It is NOT.

3.3 Why Serious Buyers Must Accept DTA Timeline

Buyers often lose deals because they demand:

“DTA before MT799.”

This is impossible.

Real sellers require:

• SPA signed

• Buyer’s POF

• Compliance clearance

• Terminal coordination

Then and ONLY then → DTA.

3.4 NNRV’s Warning to Buyers

If a seller offers:

• DTA before POP

• DTA without SPA

• DTA without terminal reference

• Editable DTA

• DTA sent via Word/PDF without watermark

• DTA without tank farm code

You should walk away immediately.

SECTION 4 — Step-by-Step Timeline (Day 1–30)

📅 Day 1–3

Buyer sends ICPO + KYC.

📅 Day 3–5

Seller sends SCO.
Brokers align IMFPA.

📅 Day 5–10

SPA negotiated and signed.

📅 Day 10–14

Seller issues Partial POP (TSR, Q&Q, CPA/ATV).

📅 Day 14–20

Buyer sends MT799 / RWA / BCL (as per SPA).

📅 Day 18–25

Terminal issues DTA (Dip Test Authorization).

📅 Day 22–28

SGS/Intertek conducts Q&Q + DIP test.

📅 Day 25–30

CI issued → Buyer pays MT103.

📅 Day 30

Injection or loading begins.

SECTION 5 — Buyer & Seller Questions (20 Total)

10 Buyer Questions

1. Why can’t DTA come before POP?

2. Why must SPA be signed before DTA?

3. Can DTA be sent before MT799?

4. Can I verify tank without DTA?

5. Why must terminal approve my inspector?

6. Can buyer negotiate DTA format?

7. Is early DTA possible? (Rare)

8. Can a fake seller create fake DTA? (Yes, very often)

9. Can DTA be reversed by terminal? (Yes)

10. Can NNRV verify DTA authenticity? (Yes)

10 Seller Questions

1. Should I send DTA early to please the buyer? (Never)

2. When should DTA be generated?

3. Must I show tank number?

4. Must I reveal storage contract?

5. What is the liability of issuing DTA too early?

6. What if buyer demands “DTA first”?

7. How to protect against tank poaching?

8. Does DTA contain sensitive information?

9. Can terminal block DTA?

10. How to handle buyer’s inspector?

SECTION 6 — Institutional Proof & Credibility

DTA procedures follow the operational rules of:

• Vopak

• Koole

• Oiltanking

• VTTI

• Gunvor terminals

• Shell terminals

• Rotterdam Port Authority

• Jurong Island Regulation Authority

Supported by compliance frameworks:

✔ SGS / Saybolt / Intertek Q&Q protocols
✔ ISPS port code
✔ FATF AML & CFT compliance
✔ Basel III bank rules
✔ Refinery allocation procedures

This is the international petroleum standard.

SECTION 7 — Professional Call to Action (CTA)

📌 Need to Verify DTA, POP, or Seller Legitimacy?

NNRV Trade Partners provides:

• Full DTA verification

• POP authenticity checks

• Tank farm validation

• Seller due diligence

• Buyer procedure restructuring

• SPA drafting support

• Compliance & SWIFT coordination

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

Mini FAQ (5 Key Questions)

1. Is DTA the same as POP?
   No — DTA authorizes inspection; POP proves existence.

2. Can a fake seller produce DTA?
   Yes — 90% are fake PDFs.

3. Does terminal always confirm DTA?
   Yes — only terminal can validate.

4. Can I demand DTA before POF?
   No — impossible in real transactions.

5. Who pays for DIP test?
   Seller pays; buyer pays nothing before MT103.

Why Choose NNRV Trade Partners?

• Deep expertise in terminal operations

• Institutional petroleum compliance

• Access to refinery-aligned sellers

• Buyer & seller protection services

• Zero-fraud negotiation structures

• Complete transaction management

• Confidential & secure