Quality & compliance

Quality Assurance & Pre-Shipment Inspection

Protect your fertilizer procurement with specification verification, COA review, independent inspection, sampling and quantity checks before cargo leaves origin.

  • COA Verification
  • SGS / Intertek Coordination
  • Sampling & Testing
  • Weight Verification
  • Pre-Shipment Inspection

What We Help Verify

Quality verification is arranged against your contracted specification and inspection requirements.

SGS & Intertek inspection guide
  • Nutrient Content

    N, P₂O₅, K₂O or other contracted parameters.

  • Moisture

    Verified against the contractual maximum where applicable.

  • Granule Size

    Size distribution checked for granular fertilizers.

  • Appearance

    Colour, physical condition and visible contamination.

  • 1 MT

    Quantity

    Bag count, weighing or draft survey depending on shipment type.

  • 50 kg50 kg50 kg50 kg50 kg

    Packaging & Marking

    Bag size, labels, batch marks and packaging condition.

From Specification to Certificate

A clear process from agreement to final documentation.

  1. 01

    Agree Specification

    Grade, nutrient parameters, physical characteristics and tolerances confirmed before offer and contract.

  2. 02

    Review Producer COA

    The certificate of analysis is reviewed against the contracted specification.

  3. 03

    Appoint Inspection

    An independent inspection company is coordinated where required.

  4. 04

    Sample & Test

    Representative samples collected and tested according to the agreed scope.

  5. 05

    Verify Quantity

    Bag count, weight verification or draft survey, depending on cargo type.

  6. 06

    Issue Documentation

    COA and inspection documents coordinated with the shipment file.

Final specifications are confirmed by supplier COA, inspection certificate, and contract terms. Typical values shown are indicative and vary by origin and production batch.

COA and Independent Inspection Are Not the Same Thing

Both play an important role in international fertilizer trade — and many buyers require both.

Certificate of Analysis (COA)

Usually supplied by the producer or a laboratory. Records the measured characteristics of the fertilizer batch or lot.

Typical information

  • Nutrient content (N, P₂O₅, K₂O)
  • Moisture
  • Granule size
  • Appearance
  • Other relevant chemical / physical parameters
Port cranes loading a cargo vessel

Independent Inspection Certificate

Issued by the agreed inspection company after it performs the contracted inspection scope.

May cover

  • Quantity verification
  • Sampling and laboratory testing
  • Packaging and marking
  • Loading supervision
  • Vessel / container condition
  • Other agreed checks
Learn about export documentation
Gloved hands pipetting samples for laboratory analysis

From Cargo Sample to Test Result

Sampling and testing are coordinated according to your inspection requirements.

  1. 1. Sampling

    Representative material collected according to the agreed inspection method.

  2. 2. Sealing & Identification

    Samples identified, sealed and secured.

  3. 3. Laboratory Testing

    Applicable contractual parameters tested.

  4. 4. Results

    Findings compared with the agreed specification.

The exact inspection and testing scope is agreed before inspection and may vary by fertilizer, origin, shipment method and contract.

Inspection by Shipment Type

Inspection scope depends on product, packaging, shipment method and contract requirements.

  • 50 kg50 kg50 kg50 kg50 kg50 kg50 kg50 kg50 kg50 kg50 kg50 kg

    Bagged Container Cargo

    • Bag count
    • Packaging condition
    • Markings and labelling
    • Container condition
    • Sampling where agreed
    • Loading supervision
  • 1 MT

    Jumbo Bag / FIBC Cargo

    • Bag count
    • Weight documentation
    • Bag condition
    • Markings
    • Sampling and testing
    • Loading checks
  • Bulk Vessel Cargo

    • Draft survey where applicable
    • Hold inspection
    • Representative sampling
    • Laboratory testing
    • Loading supervision
    • Quantity certification

Independent Inspection When Required

Depending on the contract, buyer preference and destination requirements, inspection may be performed by SGS, Intertek or another mutually accepted independent inspection company.

  1. G & E coordinates

    Supplier access, timing, documentation and shipment information.

  2. Inspection company verifies

    The agreed independent inspection scope, and issues its own certificate.

  3. Buyer receives documentation

    Inspection certificate and supporting documents for shipment and clearance.

Verify, Document, Ship

Quality, documentation and logistics work together on every shipment.

  1. 1. Verify the cargo

    Quality & Inspection

    Specification, COA review, sampling and quantity checks.

    You are here
  2. 2. Document the transaction

    Export Documentation

    Invoice, COA, certificate of origin, B/L and destination documents.

    Go to Export Documentation
  3. 3. Move the cargo

    Packaging & Shipment

    Bags, jumbo bags, containers and bulk vessels on FOB/CFR/CIF.

    Go to Packaging & Shipment

Quality & Inspection FAQ

What is a COA?
Do you provide SGS or Intertek inspection?
We coordinate independent pre-shipment inspection through SGS, Intertek or another agreed agency at the load port when requested. The inspection itself is performed and certified by the inspection company. Its scope — quality, quantity, sampling, draft survey — is agreed and written into the contract.
What is the difference between a COA and an inspection certificate?
A certificate of analysis (COA) is issued by the producer or a laboratory and records the measured specification of a production batch or lot. An independent inspection certificate is issued by a third-party agency such as SGS or Intertek, which draws its own samples and verifies quality and/or quantity at the time of loading. Many buyers require both.
Who pays for independent inspection?
Inspection cost is agreed between buyer and seller and depends on the Incoterm and the scope. It is common for the party requesting the inspection to bear the cost; the arrangement is confirmed in the contract before shipment.
Can the buyer appoint their own inspector?
Yes. If you prefer a specific agency or your own nominated surveyor, we can accommodate it at the load port, subject to access, safety rules and loading schedule. The nominated agency should be agreed before contracting.
What fertilizer parameters can be tested?
Typically nitrogen (N), phosphate (P₂O₅) and potash (K₂O) content, biuret for urea, moisture, particle size or granulometry, and appearance. Other parameters — such as sulphur, heavy metals or specific destination requirements — can be added. The exact parameters follow the contract specification.
How are samples collected?
The inspection company collects representative samples according to the agreed method — for example from bags or jumbo bags during stuffing, or from the conveyor or holds during bulk loading. Samples are sealed and identified, with retained samples kept where the contract requires them.
Can quantity be verified before shipment?
Yes. Depending on the cargo, quantity can be verified by bag count and weighing for bagged and jumbo-bag cargo, or by draft survey for bulk vessel shipments. The method and tolerance are set in the contract.
Can container loading be inspected?
Yes. Inspection can cover container condition before stuffing, bag count, marking, sampling during stuffing and sealing of the container, with seal numbers recorded on the inspection report.
Can bulk-vessel loading be supervised?
Yes. For bulk cargo the inspection scope can include hold cleanliness inspection, loading supervision, representative sampling, laboratory analysis and draft survey for quantity certification.
When is the inspection certificate issued?
The inspection company issues its certificate after completing the agreed scope — usually once loading and laboratory analysis are finished — so it can travel with the shipping documents or be presented under a letter of credit.

Product availability, pricing, origin, documentation, and shipment terms are subject to supplier confirmation, destination regulations, sanctions screening, and contract agreement.

Quality assurance & inspection

Need Inspection Support for a Fertilizer Shipment?

Tell us your product, quantity, origin, destination and required inspection scope. We'll coordinate available inspection, documentation and shipment requirements with your fertilizer supply inquiry.

Wholesale only · COA review · Independent inspection coordination · International shipments