Cargo sampling is the taking and retaining of true representative samples of

commodity In economics, a commodity is an economic goods, good, usually a resource, that specifically has full or substantial fungibility: that is, the Market (economics), market treats instances of the good as equivalent or nearly so with no regard to w ...

products, usually to facilitate payment to a shipper for cargo leaving its port of loading. Samples may be taken from all points in the

supply chain A supply chain is a complex logistics system that consists of facilities that convert raw materials into finished products and distribute them to end consumers or end customers, while supply chain management deals with the flow of goods in distri ...

, from warehouses, terminals, barges,

ships A ship is a large vessel that travels the world's oceans and other navigable waterways, carrying cargo or passengers, or in support of specialized missions, such as defense, research and fishing. Ships are generally distinguished from boats, ...

pipelines A pipeline is a system of pipes for long-distance transportation of a liquid or gas, typically to a market area for consumption. The latest data from 2014 gives a total of slightly less than of pipeline in 120 countries around the world. The Un ...

or service stations. Accurately taken and labeled samples with an unequivocal

chain of custody Chain of custody (CoC), in legal contexts, is the chronological documentation or paper trail that records the sequence of custody, control, transfer, analysis, and disposition of materials, including physical or electronic evidence. Of particul ...

are essential to all operations. Effective and consistent cargo sampling requires a specialized staff of trained individuals who are responsible for taking such samples and transporting them to the corresponding testing laboratories.

References

{{Reflist Freight transport