Purchase Procedure · FOB

Tank-to-Tank
TTT · Dip and Pay

The safest standard procedure for hydrocarbons trading in Rotterdam and Houston — zero upfront payments until independent inspection confirms product quality and quantity.

FOB Tank-to-Tank Standard Procedure

The trading market for Diesel EN590 10PPM and Jet A-1 in major hubs like Rotterdam and Houston is plagued with intermediaries and fraudulent offers. To operate simply and safely under the FOB TTT modality, the international industry standard Dip and Pay procedure must be applied — specifically designed to financially shield the buyer. The buyer does not pay a single dollar upfront until an independent inspector (SGS or Saybolt) validates the existence and quality of the product inside the seller's tanks.

01
Intent and Commercial Invoice

The transaction begins with formal documentation from both parties establishing identity, intent and product specifications.

  • Buyer: Issues an ICPO (Irrevocable Corporate Purchase Order) along with Company Profile (CIS) and a copy of their current TSA (Tank Storage Agreement) at the port of loading — Rotterdam or Houston.
  • Seller: Evaluates the buyer and issues the Commercial Invoice (CI). The buyer reviews, signs and formally returns it.
02
Partial Proof of Product (PPOP)

The seller must prove the fuel is real before the buyer moves any logistics. The following PPOP documents must be issued by the seller:

  • UDTA: Unconditional Dip Test Authorization — permits inspection of seller's tanks.
  • TSR: Tank Storage Receipt — receipt of the seller's tanks.
  • ATSC: Authorization to Sell and Collect.
  • Certificate of Origin and product passport (technical specifications).
03
Quality Verification — Dip Test

The buyer hires and pays directly the international inspection entity at the corresponding port. The inspectors enter the seller's tanks, take samples and issue a fresh Quality and Quantity (Q&Q) report — not older than 48 hours.

  • Inspection must be contracted directly by the buyer — never through the seller.
  • Approved inspectors: SGS or Saybolt.
  • Report validity: maximum 48 hours from issuance.
04
Product Injection — TTT Process

Once the SGS report is positive and matches the CI specifications, the injection phase begins.

  • Buyer provides ATI (Authorization to Inject) with connection data for their tanks.
  • Seller pumps the fuel directly from seller's tanks into the tanks leased by the buyer.
  • Terminal operator issues the Injection Report confirming volume transferred.
05
Payment and Title Transfer — Dip and Pay

Payment is executed only after confirming full volume delivery. Title transfers upon receipt of funds.

  • Buyer: Confirms total agreed volume is in their tanks, then executes 100% payment via MT103 / TT (Telegraphic Transfer).
  • Seller: Upon receiving funds, formally transfers the Title of Ownership and delivers final export documentation.

The 4 Golden Rules to Avoid Scams

Zero Upfront Payments

Never accept paying "tank extension fees", "injection insurance" or "advance customs costs". If the seller asks for money before SGS verifies the fuel, walk away — it is a scam.

Protect Your TSA Data

Never share your Tank Storage Agreement unprotected. Only deliver your TSA once the seller has issued a binding Commercial Invoice. Scammers use TSA data to charge storage invoices under your name.

Direct SGS Verification

The SGS report must be commissioned and paid by you, or verified directly with SGS in Houston or Rotterdam using the barcode/report number. Never trust a PDF sent by the seller without independent verification.

Certificate of Origin Control

Following international sanctions, ensure the Certificate of Origin is legitimate — frequently from Kazakhstan or non-sanctioned origins in Rotterdam, or Gulf Coast refineries in Houston.

Fake Refineries Warning

Many scammers send documents that appear real — a UDTA or TSR bearing logos of legitimate tank companies in Rotterdam (Vopak, Eurotank) or Houston (Kinder Morgan). Before sending SGS to perform the Dip Test, contact the storage terminal independently to verify that the tank number in the CI actually exists and is registered to the seller. Never use the phone numbers or emails printed in the seller's documents — look up the official contacts of the terminal directly.

Applicable Products & Key Variations

This procedure applies to all liquid refined hydrocarbon products. However, critical variations exist in logistics, volumes and viability depending on the product.

Jet Fuel A-1 & Diesel EN590

Highest rotation and liquidity products in Rotterdam and Houston. TTT or TTV works perfectly — both ports have massive dedicated infrastructure for these clean distillates.

⚠ If offered at more than 10% below Platt's price — it is a scam in 99% of cases.

Heavy Fuel Oil / D6

Heavy residual fuel requiring tanks with constant heating systems to maintain viscosity and allow pumping. Buyer must prove their tanks have the necessary thermal infrastructure.

⚠ Storage costs are significantly higher than for distillates.

D2 Gasoil

Traditional D2 with old specifications (Russian GOST) is virtually obsolete in regulated Western markets. Modern standard in Houston and Rotterdam is EN590 (10PPM) or ULSD.

⚠ Active offers of D2 under old specs are a major red flag of fraudulent activity.

Ready to Initiate a Transaction?

Contact our trading team to begin the ICPO process and discuss your specific product and volume requirements.

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