How to verify an SGS or inspection report
By the Vanguard Verify desk · Published 2026-10-23 · Updated 2026-11-04
Short answer: contact the inspection company directly, using contact details from its official website (not from the document), and ask it to confirm the report or certificate number, date, product, quantity and the client name.
Steps
- Find the report or certificate number, issue date and issuing office on the document.
- Use the inspection company’s official verification channel or local office from its official website.
- Confirm: report exists, issued to the company named in your offer, for the same product, quantity, port and dates.
- Check that the product spec in the report matches the FCO (e.g. ICUMSA value, moisture, sulphur, Blaine fineness for cement).
Red flags
- Report older than the stock could realistically be stored.
- Client name differs from the seller in your offer.
- Quality numbers copied word-for-word into many offers.
- Seller refuses an inspection appointed by the buyer at load port.
Related: How to verify a commodity supplier.
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FAQ
How do I verify an SGS test report?
Find the SGS office named on the report through sgs.com (not the e-mail or phone on the document), quote the report number and ask them to confirm it was issued for that client, cargo, quantity and date.
Can an SGS report be faked?
Yes. A scanned PDF is easy to edit or copy from a real job. Only the issuing office can confirm a report, so never rely on the document alone.
Does an SGS report prove the seller owns the goods?
No. It records an inspection of a lot at a place and time. Ownership and availability are shown by other documents and by checking the seller itself.
Who pays for inspection?
It is agreed in the contract. Commonly the seller pays load-port inspection and the buyer may appoint its own inspector.
Vanguard Verify is run by Vanguard Trade Capital Goods Wholesalers DWC-LLC, Dubai South, Licence 14282. This answer is general information, not legal or financial advice.