"Proof of Product" — POP — is one of the most requested and most abused concepts in oil trading. Buyers want assurance the product exists; scammers exploit that desire. This guide explains what legitimate POP looks like and what to refuse.
What POP means
Proof of Product is documentation evidencing that the seller controls a real, available parcel of the product on offer. Depending on the deal and Incoterm, it can include items such as a commercial invoice, a certificate of origin, a quality/analysis certificate, tank storage documentation, or an inspection report from a body like SGS.
The catch: POP is a negotiation, not a giveaway
Genuine sellers do not hand a complete document package to an unvetted stranger, because those documents can be misused. Equally, genuine buyers do not release full banking instruments to an unproven seller. Legitimate POP is exchanged step by step, against reciprocal commitments, usually after KYC and once a contract framework exists.
What is NOT proof of product
- An MT199 or MT799 SWIFT message — these are text messages between banks, not proof of funds or product.
- An "allocation letter" purporting to come from a national oil company, with no verifiable chain.
- Any document that arrives only after you pay an upfront "POP release" fee.
The single most reliable proof in practice is independent SGS/Intertek inspection of the actual parcel, which is built into our trading procedures.
How LinkPort handles POP
We evidence product per the contract and confirm it through independent inspection, in a defined sequence with KYC on both sides — never against an upfront fee. If a counterparty’s "POP" demand feels backwards, check it against our scam red-flags guide.
Frequently asked questions
Should a seller send full POP before contract?
No. Full documentation is exchanged step by step against reciprocal commitments, typically after KYC and within a contract framework. Demanding complete POP up front — or paying a fee to "release" it — is a red flag.
Is an SGS report proof of product?
An independent SGS/Intertek inspection of the actual parcel is the most reliable practical proof, which is why we build it into every deal.