Buying Bulk Jet A-1: A Procurement Checklist

Buying bulk Jet A-1 starts with a clear requirement: the applicable fuel specification, quantity and unit, delivery location, purchase schedule, quality documentation and commercial terms. Establish these points before comparing aviation fuel offers.

This procurement checklist helps importers, distributors, established trading companies and aviation fuel purchasing teams prepare a commercially actionable inquiry. A bulk cargo purchase and an airport into-plane service are different requirements: specify which part of the supply chain your purchase covers.

For a supply discussion, review our Jet A-1 fuel page or submit your Jet A-1 purchasing requirement.

Bulk Jet A-1 procurement checklist

1. Define the Jet A-1 specification

Identify the exact grade and standards required by your receiving operation. Common Jet A-1 specifications include ASTM D1655 and DEF STAN 91-091. State the applicable editions and any additional buyer or destination requirements rather than relying on the words “aviation fuel” alone. Shell’s civil jet fuel guide explains the principal grades and specification references.

Attach your technical specification and have your fuel quality team review the proposed product documentation. Clarify any requirements concerning additives and their documentation. Do not assume that a generic specification sheet demonstrates conformity of a particular shipment.

Can Jet A replace Jet A-1?

Do not treat the grades as automatically interchangeable. They have different specification requirements, including freezing-point limits. If an alternative grade is proposed, obtain a technical assessment and the required acceptance from the relevant operation before changing the purchase requirement.

2. Set the cargo quantity and delivery schedule

State quantity in metric tonnes or another clearly defined unit. If your planning uses litres or barrels while an offer uses mass, agree the conversion basis rather than assuming a fixed conversion.

Separate the initial shipment from any recurring requirement. Include:

• Initial cargo quantity and acceptable tolerance.
• Monthly or periodic requirement, if applicable.
• Proposed contract duration and shipment frequency.
• Required loading or arrival window, stating which.
• Any receiving restrictions affecting timing or cargo size.

A recurring supply request needs an operationally workable schedule as well as a monthly total. Explain whether the schedule is fixed or whether alternative dates can be considered.

3. Confirm the delivery point and receiving arrangements

Name the destination country, port and receiving terminal where known. For a loading-port purchase, identify the preferred shipment location or ask the supplier to propose an option.

Have the receiving operator confirm suitable capacity, fuel acceptance requirements, handling arrangements and access conditions. Identify who is responsible for onward movement from the contractual delivery point.

A bulk Jet A-1 cargo quotation does not by itself include airport storage access, hydrant access or aircraft refuelling. If your requirement includes those services, describe them explicitly and establish which parties will provide them.

4. Review quality documentation and traceability

Agree what quality documents must accompany the product, when they will be available and how they relate to the batch delivered. Ask your technical team to define the required certificates, test reporting and traceability evidence for the proposed supply chain.

Quality assurance extends beyond an initial certificate. Storage, transfers and transport arrangements also require appropriate controls. IATA’s fuel servicing guidance covers fuel specifications, handling and supply-chain quality through delivery into aircraft.

Clarify the required inspection and sampling points, responsibility for appointing inspectors and laboratories, and the process for handling discrepancies. Commercial inspection arrangements should support the agreed quality programme; an inspection company’s name alone does not establish compliance.

5. Establish the commercial delivery basis

Specify the preferred delivery terms, named location and applicable Incoterms® edition. Review Orion’s supply terms and identify your preference for discussion.

For marine shipments, FOB, CFR and CIF allocate responsibilities differently. Under CFR and CIF, the seller pays agreed carriage to the destination, but risk generally transfers when the goods are on board at the shipment port. CIF additionally requires the seller to arrange the specified insurance. ICC explains the distinction between delivery, destination and risk transfer.

Agree the contract’s payment, title-transfer and product-acceptance provisions separately. A delivery term does not establish every commercial condition.

6. Compare Jet A-1 quotations on the same basis

Check specification, quantity, delivery point, timing and included services before comparing headline prices. Ask whether pricing is fixed or formula-based and clarify currency, unit, validity and any applicable reference period.

Identify freight, insurance, terminal charges, inspection and other items included or excluded from the offer. Establish which taxes or duties are for the buyer’s account where relevant. Request clarification of any item whose treatment is unclear.

Distinguish a preliminary price indication from a firm offer, and read all conditions. A quotation should not be treated as confirmation of inventory, allocation or guaranteed delivery beyond its explicit wording.

7. Verify the counterparty and agree next steps

Confirm the registered contracting entity, its role, authorized contacts and relevant commercial capabilities. Verify material changes in contact or payment instructions through an established contact channel.

Agree the applicable documentation, verification and contracting steps for the transaction. Do not assume that a procedure copied from another offer will apply. Initial inquiries should establish the commercial requirement; sensitive verification documents belong in an agreed, appropriate channel.

Copy-and-paste bulk Jet A-1 inquiry template

Replace the bracketed fields and attach the required specification.

Frequently asked questions

What should a bulk Jet A-1 purchase inquiry include?

Provide buyer identity, fuel specification, quantity and unit, destination, delivery schedule, preferred commercial basis and quality-documentation requirements.

Can I request a monthly Jet A-1 supply contract?

Yes. Include monthly demand, shipment frequency, proposed duration and receiving arrangements. A supplier must review whether the programme can be supported.

Does a bulk fuel offer include into-plane services?

Only where explicitly agreed. Clarify whether you need cargo supply, terminal delivery, airport supply or aircraft refuelling, and identify responsibilities for each stage.

Does a specification sheet confirm cargo quality?

A general sheet describes the proposed specification. Your technical team should establish the batch-specific evidence, traceability and acceptance arrangements required for the shipment.

Does submitting an inquiry guarantee availability?

No. It starts a commercial review. Specification, availability, delivery arrangements and contractual conditions require confirmation.