Someone Has Offered You a Deal. Know What to Ask Before You Pay.

Have you been asked to pay anything at all before seeing and testing the goods?

Including tax, clearance, export fees, documentation, storage or a refundable deposit.

Is payment structured so that funds release only after independent verification?

Escrow, a letter of credit, or payment on assay through a bank.

Can you commission your own assay, at a laboratory you choose?

Would you or your representative control the sampling?

Watching the sample being taken, sealed and transported to the laboratory.

Have you confirmed at least one document directly with the authority that issued it?

Contacting the ministry, registry or agency yourself, not through the seller or a number they supplied.

Does every certificate and licence carry a reference number you could check?

Do the names, spellings and entity details match exactly across every document?

Have you confirmed the company is registered and its licence is current?

Does the licence holder match the person or company you are actually dealing with?

Can you locate the mine, warehouse or facility independently?

Finding it on mapping or in a public register, rather than only through directions they gave you.

Would they accept a visit arranged by you, at a time you choose?

Including an inspector or lawyer you instruct, rather than a tour they organise.

Is there a deadline, an expiring price, or another buyer being mentioned?

Are you free to involve your own lawyer, inspector or bank without resistance?

Has the whole relationship stayed on messaging apps and personal email?

Rather than company domains, registered addresses and formal documentation.

Is the export route lawful and documented end to end?

Export permit, certificate of origin, customs declaration, and a named carrier.