- A Letter of Credit is also known as Documentary Credit
- A Letter of Credit is a primary means of payment in an international trade transaction
- By default a Letter of Credit is irrevocable
Many of you would have come across the term Letter of Credit (L/C)..
If you are a shipping line, you would have heard this term from various customers asking you to expedite the draft bill of lading for checking by the bank or for the release of the bill of lading to be expedited because the shipment is under L/C..
If you a freight forwarder or agent, you may have been put under pressure by the BCO to get all the documents required by the L/C sent to them in time..
If you are a BCO, you may have been told by your bank that the documents submitted do not match the requirements of the L/C and some of the documentation may need to be redone..
So what exactly is a Letter of Credit, what is the need for a letter of credit, who issues it and how does it work..
What is the need for a Letter of Credit and how does a Letter of Credit work..??
Well, in the beginning, there is a seller and a buyer who want to conclude a business transaction..
They may or may not know each other or may or may not be comfortable with each other as far as financial obligations and payments is concerned..
Because of the time it takes for cargoes shipped from foreign ports to reach their destination, importers have to find a way of guaranteeing payment to exporters before the goods are received..
As discussed in the Beginner’s Guide to Importing, there are several forms of payments each with its own element of risk..
A graphical representation of the element of risk in relation to the buyer and seller is shown below..
A Letter of Credit seems to be a popular method of payment transaction among sellers and buyers because these transactions go through a bank and that offers a level of comfort for both the buyer and the seller..
Letter of Credit
A Letter of Credit or Documentary Credit is a promise by a bank on behalf of the buyer (applicant/importer) to pay the seller (beneficiary/exporter) a specified sum in the agreed currency, provided that the seller submits the required documents by a predetermined deadline..
A Letter of Credit is governed by UCP600 (Uniform Customs and Practice) which is an international code of practice (voluntary set of rules) drawn up by the International Chamber of Commerce..
It is essentially an instruction by the importer’s bank to the overseas bank of the seller outlining various aspects relating to the particular trade including payment of funds to the seller..
The buyer (Applicant) sets a list of terms and conditions under which he would like to buy and ship the cargo from the seller (Beneficiary)..
This list generally has
- description of the goods he wants to buy from the seller ;
- quantity of the goods ;
- technical description if any ;
- documentary requirements ;
- bills of lading ;
- commercial invoice ;
- packing list ;
- certificate of origin ;
- analysis reports ;
- other documents
- who the bill of lading must be consigned to – in the case of L/C, generally the issuing bank will be shown as the consignee and they will have control of the cargo until such time they receive the money from the buyer ;
- details of who must be notified of the arrival of the shipment ;
- the latest date of shipment ;
- sometimes the buyer also nominates and specifies on the L/C the shipping line that is to be used ;
- which port pairs to be used (POL/POD) are to be used ;
- what mode of transport is to be used
This L/C is then issued by the buyer’s bank (known as issuing bank) and is sent to the seller and his bank (known as the nominated bank).. There could also be a “confirming bank” requested by the seller.. The confirming bank performs a check that the issued L/C is valid and is usually a bank in the seller’s country..
This additional confirmation of the L/C means that the confirming bank guarantees payment even if the issuing bank fails to make it..
The seller then proceeds to prepare his goods and documents based on the L/C.. Once the shipment has been accomplished, the seller will provide the copies of all the documents as per the instructions on the L/C to his bank..
His bank checks the veracity and correctness of the submitted documents against the L/C specifications.. Remember though that banks do not actually verify if the cargo has been loaded on the vessel or not.. They only verify documents..
One of the main documents in this submission is the Bill of Lading as that is the Document of Title to the goods exchanged in return for the delivery of the goods.. Usually Bills of Lading involved in L/C transactions will be “Negotiable Bills of Lading”..
Once the bank is satisfied that the docs and shipment are in accordance with the L/C, they pay the seller the money that is due to him as per the price agreed between him and the buyer..
The nominated bank, then sends all the docs to the issuing bank who cross verifies the details against the L/C conditions and once they are satisfied with the conditions, they reimburse the receiving bank the money that they paid to the seller..
The issuing bank then advises the buyer that the shipment has been effected and that they are in possession of all the documents.. The buyer then arranges to pay the issuing bank the money that has been paid by them to the receiving bank..
Upon receipt of these funds, the issuing bank then endorses the bill of lading to the buyer so that the cargo can be released to the buyer..
So begins and ends the process of a Letter of Credit..
L/C Extension
If there is a requirement for an L/C to be extended for whatever reason, the seller has to contact the buyer who opened the L/C and they will have to in turn contact the issuing bank with valid reasons for the extension.. Based on this reason the L/C may or may not be extended..
Usual reasons for L/C extension requests could be :
- delay in the export material being ready
- delay in the carrying vessel – due to weather or issues from the shipping line’s side
- if there are any unprecedented customs stop on the export cargo
- non-availability of a suitable container
- cargo inspection certificates not ready
- non-availability of a vessel during the time frame required
Types of Letter of Credit
There are a few different types of letter of credit with different uses.. The most popular types are :
Irrevocable
- The instructions or terms on this type of L/C cannot be amended or cancelled without the agreement of the beneficiary and the confirming bank.. By default, a L/C is irrevocable even if it is not indicated anywhere, so take this as the default setting..
Revocable
- This type of L/C can be amended or cancelled by the issuing bank at any time and therefore attention needs to be paid to this type of L/C.. Although this type is not covered in UCP600, this can be issued if such terms are incorporated into the credit and this could happen occasionally, possibly due to ignorance, but banks generally do not confirm a revocable documentary credit.. Let this be in the back of your mind..
Confirmed
- This is type of L/C involves a confirming bank.. The role of the confirming bank is to ensure (at the behest of the beneficiary) that the L/C issued by the issuing bank is valid and to ensure that the issuing bank has the ability to honour its financial undertaking and the country that the issuing bank is based in is not facing any financial risk..
Revolving
- In order to avoid credit that has been partially utilised, a revolving credit may be used for the value of the credit to be restored… These revolving credits can be in terms of
- Cumulative (any sum not utilised can be carried forward to the next month) ;
- Non-cumulative (specific shipment each month) ; or
- Reinstated each time a shipment is made
- This type of credit is useful when there are repetitive shipments between the same parties regularly
Silent Confirmation
- Is when the advising bank adds a conditional guarantee of payment to the beneficiary without the knowledge of the issuing bank because in some cases the issuing bank may consider themselves creditworthy enough and do not see the need for a confirming bank..
Transferable
- In this type, the seller is allowed to transfer the credit either fully or partially to one or more parties provided the L/C clearly states that it is transferable..
Back to Back
- Some transactions require the use of middle-men or brokers in which case two different credits are issued because a transferable L/C may be unsuitable.. The two credits are a Master credit (to the broker) and a Back to Back credit (to the supplier)..
Standby letter of credit
- Is basically a credit assurance from a bank that a buyer is able to pay a seller.. But, this credit is considered to be a secondary credit covering only default and if there is non-performance.. Such credit is usually used to cover the risks that can occur in finalising a contract between a buyer and seller..
Red Clause
- Is a type of credit containing special Red Clauses (due to the colour of the ink used in writing this clause) which allows the beneficiary to access the credit even prior to the shipment of goods and/or presentation of documents.. A Clean Red Clause allows this access with the required documents but does not include the evidence of goods whereas a Documentary Red Clause allows this access against presentation of warehouse receipts along with the beneficiary’s undertaking to deliver the required documents upon shipment..
Green Clause
- Is a type of credit containing special Green Clauses (due to the colour of the ink used in writing this clause) which allows the beneficiary to access the credit even prior to the shipment of goods and/or presentation of documents.. Using the Green Clause, the beneficiary can get advance payment but by lodging the goods under storage in the name of the bank as security..
Conclusion
Letter of credit is basically an arrangement entered into between banks, on how the payments in an international commercial transaction can be settled while ensuring the security of both the parties involved..
A letter of credit is autonomous in nature which means, it has its own terms and conditions and is not reliant on the terms or performance of the sales contract or the contract of carriage..
Payments secured through Letter of Credits are based on documents only and not on the goods or services covered by sales or commercial contracts and the receipt of goods or payment is conditional upon the beneficiary’s compliance in the presentation of the required/listed documents..
This autonomy makes the Letter of Credit a primary means of payment in an international trade transaction where a documentary credit is involved..
Article republished with updates
Thanks for sharing! I have been browsing since earlier to see a letter of credit sample.
We are the supplier we received LC from the customer . in LC issuing bank and BL bank name is different .
Now we have submitted LC to our bank. Our bank LC shipping documents couriered to issuing bank.
Now I am getting confuse after courier the LC documents to issuing bank how seller knows buyer received LC documents or not.
Hi Sir, We are a broker/middle man for buyer. Buyer have open the LC to us and we have open LC to seller. This cargo is shipped from Malaysia port to Bangladesh port . Please guide us what are the procedure and shipping documentation we need to prepare on this 2 LC ? and this 2 LC only have one MBL with 2 HBL(1 HBL is for seller and other HLB is for buyer.
Hi, I want to know whether LCs with multiple POL and POD can be issued by Banks in respect of multiple consignments between the seller and buyer covering multiple cities in the same LC.
We have one customer with the following issue, hope you could help to advise.
Export from Vietnam to Bangladesh: Buyer/Receiver takes long clearance time cause increasing fee on Demurrage & Detention fee. Is there any kind of L/C for this case, our customer wants to open L/C at sight for about 10 days of Demurrage & Detention fee. How does it work? Which documents are necessary for it? Thank you.
buyer can issue deferred payment LC, which will be valid for 90 days after sight and usance period will be 90 days. we can help you with third party lC from HK based banks.
As, per our banker the gap between LATEST DATE OF SHIPMENT AND LC EXPIRY DATE should not be more than 30 days. Whether this statement is correct and whether this is applicable for all LC.
Dear Sir,
I found this site very useful and responsive with correct reply.
We are exporting copper millberry to a Chinese from Belgium. Seller is from India and arranging the goods from Belgium and doing MTT. Chinese buyer is ready to open a DLCMT700.Payment is after the goods come to the destination Port and carrying out the SGS Inspection(Which is the requirement of Buyer for which he is only paying).Buyers Bank consider this destination Inspection report is part of export document and It has to be submitted to them with in 21 days of BL date. In 21 days cargo is in high sea so inspection is not possible. So they changed the condition of submitting the document after carrying out destination SGS inspection and sending the report through courier to the seller so that he can include it in the other documents. Now the issue is that Can the buyer release the goods from shipping line/custom for sgs inspection with copy of BL? Kindly advise a solution how to go about it. Thank you Sir
Hi, good day ! I wish to know if one LC can be issued to a supplier for a product to be delivered to two different consignees (different quantity) to same destination, ? In this case, should it be done by special additional clauses ? or any other ?
Great!
Can Customer cancel the LC before the Shipment ? Is there is any issue to beneficiary if customer cancelled the LC ?
Hi, I would like to know in a EXW Transferable LC whether I can request from the Main Applicant not to include Packing List, Insurance, Country of Origin, and Beneficiary’s Certificate as Terms & Conditions to the LC? Thanks.
is LC will effect clearance of goods? thank you
The topic is so good and educative ,Please continue
Regards
Dan
bill of lading of a cargo is stocked somewhere as a result of covid 19 problem and there is urgent need to release cargo at destination and the liner is requesting destination office to release a cargo that has TO ORDER OF AA LTD as consignee, What are the requirements for this kind of cargo release?
X is the buyer, Y is the seller , and the amount of the goods to be shipped is 1’000’000.0 USD , the last shipment date is for example after 1 month from the L/C issuance, and in case of irrevocable L/C and to avoid the Y delay the shipping the goods on time( usually they always ask additional 1 month extension to the last shipment date) or disregards the shipment ( for his own benefit) which will cause loss to X to go to another seller and additional time for manufacturing
>>>can i request a delay damages (penalty) to be inserted in the L/c from my bank before the issuance of the L/C or any method to gurantee that at the end of the last shipment day a penalty to be applied to the seller Y
Hi one way to cover your loss in case of non shipment is that you can negotiate a performance bond or guarantee, usually its 2% of full invoice value, in most cases, if seller is ready to provide you this 2% PB/PG, then the possibility of default against non delivery is mostly zero.
Hello Everyone,
Thank you very much for this edition.
I have a consignment to be shipped from Kolkata to Dhaka. The products were imported from USA. I have paid the customs duty and also added a few more products that we manufacture. This entire consignment (newly packed) needs to be shipped to Dhaka. Where should the country of origin certificate be from?
Hello.
I am new in shipping business. I want to be verified on a certain issue.
The buyer wants to issue DLC and the seller has never done the DLC. However, the seller wants the buyer to pay taxes. Is it possible for the buyer to pay taxes using the LC
I placed an order IN Malaysia (palm oil) and the trader is from India, so the LC was sent to my sellers bank in India, the India company is the Beneficiary in the LC, we will release the LC untill we get the docs BL, SGS inspection, Phytosanitary certificate etc.Now he says that he needs his company to be on the BL as the consignee and notify party. My banker says it’s not posible because then we won’t clear costums here,. I told him that my company has to on the bl as consignee and notify, he can be on the shipper bl space with shipper name as trader (“can he?). How can I solve This because he says that if his company name is not on the BL then the refinery will not pay him because they don’t accept LC, we made a SPA contract and he acepted the LC, now he say the refinery won’t take it and the funds will not be released if his company is not on the BL. He is asking me to guarantee fund via NOC or to change the LC for SBLC. What is your advise please.
Hello Sir,
Due to covid-19 can’t fulfill Presentation of Documents term within 15 days (presentation Period) as courier services operating schedule has changed due to Covid-19 situation and as such, there are no direct cargo flights and hence delay in presentation so, what need to do to avoid discrepancy?
Hi Mukund, this is an issue that affects many customers around the world.. However, shipping lines have come to the assistance of many customers in that they have allowed the issuance of original bills at various other locations convenient to the customer other than the POL.. For example if you are shipping from Mumbai to Australia and bank is based in London, then line might allow you to get the bill of lading issued in London to save on the time for the courier.. Alternatively, banks are also allowing some leniency in these cases.. You will have to discuss with your bank/buyer and come to a workable arrangment..
Hi Sir
Just wanted to know if LC expired eg : Shipment is teaching on 16th July my LC expiring on 15 July still we can clear the cargo ? If yes how it works .
2) If LC expired till how many month we can extend the same. Or request the bank to extend for how many months.
Hi Rayan, the expiration of LC does not have any direct connection to your cargo clearance as the LC is required only between the shipper/consignee/banks.. The shipping line, customs, ports etc are not concerned with the LC.. However, any delay in the finalisation of the documents based on the LC could mean that you cannot get the original bill of lading for example and that would mean delay in getting release from the shipping line even if you have done customs clearance..
Extension period of LC will depend on your requirement and status of the shipment and reason for the delay in the first place.. It is very subjective and unique to the shipment..
Hi,
I am Nagaraj and i wanted to know if a BL can be consigned to the actual importer (Consignee and notify party) even though the shipment is under LC?
Thanks
Hi Nagaraj, the L/C will dictate who should be the consignee/notify on the bill of lading, so yes it is possible that it can be consigned to the actual importer..
I believe since UCP500, there is no longer a ‘revocable’ LC, all LC are irrevocable.
Hi Cheng, thanks for raising this point.. Although this type is not covered in UCP600, this can be issued if such terms are incorporated into the credit and this could happen occasionally, possibly due to ignorance, but the banks generally do not confirm a revocable documentary credit.. Have added this point to remind people that this possibility exists so they can keep it in the back of their minds..
Due to Covid-19, is this the risk to send the hard copy of LC documents to issuing bank at oversea country? How to deliver the hard copy of LC documents if buyer bank/issuing bank’s country have been lockdown? Any other solution? thanks.
Hi Liew, since COVID-19 affects everyone, all entities are cautious and am sure with discussions there are some arrangements made like electronic transmission etc..
Thank Sir, very clear info about letter of credit ,
but in case, if the buyer fail to pay money to issuing bank , what will happen , how the money will be recover from buyer , as the bank have documents (B/L) ,bank is the owner of good now , can they take possession or how it will work further.
Issuing Bank replaces importers creditworthiness wit its own and hence will pay to Beneficiary.
Problem arises only when Issuing bank goes insolvent.
Dr M R Aggarwal
This is very useful site.
We have delivered some items 6 moths before whereas customer’s willing to payment through LC as at present they don’t have any money. Is it valuable? What are the documents we have to submit the bank for release of payment as job is already completed? Your kind advise will be highly appreciated.
You may call / contact me. I will prepare Draft CONTRACT and DLC for your transaction that will be UCP600 proof, bank proof and your client proof .
None can win a legal case if you adopt my solution and they choose to tho court
Dr M R Aggarwal CDCS CTFC
So you delivered 6 months ago, your buyer has still not paid you and now they don’t have any money? If that is the case a documentary LC is not going to help you and I would be amazed if the buyer’s bank would agree to issue their LC for a customer who can’t pay them or provide adequate security. You need to be speaking with a lawyer familiar with international trade but from what you’ve said I guess you will just be throwing your money into a bottomless pit, only the lawyers will win.
Dear Mr. Manaadiar,
Thanks so much for walking us through, on how LC works in such a simple and straight forward style.
However, I just have some few points I’ll be pleased to get some clarifications on;
1. Does the nominated bank pays the seller with it’s own fund before turning back to get paid from the Issuing Bank, or vice versa, or it all depends on whichever one the parties pre-agreed on?
2. Does the issuing bank pays the nominated bank with it’s own fund before turning back to request payment from the applicant (the buyer), or vice versa or it all depends on whichever one the parties pre-agreed on?
Thank you
Thanks.
Letter of Credit not received in our exporter bank, but cargo we sent at Nhava Sheva port. is it right?
“A” Consult Ltd ordered a consignment of used clothes and shoes from P Fashions Ltd on a c.i.f. basis. The goods were shipped on 2 May 2013, and the shipping documents were received on 15 May 2013. Although payment was due upon receipt of the shipping documents, “A” Consult Ltd decided to wait for the arrival of the goods before making payment to their bankers, “C” Bank of INDIA, on letters of credit that were opened for the purpose.
The goods arrived at the PORT on 31 May 2013, and upon taking delivery “A” Consult Ltd discovered that more than 50% of the clothes and shoes were too old to be sold. They have therefore refused to pay “C” Bank while they pursue a claim against P Fashion Ltd. Advise “C” Bank on their rights.
is it possible that if the buyer trusts the seller, he asks for least documents as possible…
or
are there some documents which are to be submitted mandately irrespective of the relationship between the buyer and the seller……….
How can buyer protect its interest if Seller ask the Buyer to issue a non revocable LC?
How does payment term come into picture ? Let us say the payment terms between buyer and supplier are 90 days (from the date of bill processing by buyer). In that case , when will the bank pay the seller the money?
For LC mode of payment, the payment terms between Buyer and Seller, usually within 7 days, 14 days and 21 days (maximum).
For 90 days, I suggest you arrange T/T
Good Day tell me how would I protect myself if the seller says he gaurantees goods of the correct qualirty on arrival, can and will he only be paid once I have checked this?
Hello Mark, what is your terms of sale with the seller..?? Have you done business with him before..??
very well explained and it is very clear. Thanks
Dear Hariesh,
how does the issuing bank protects its interests. Consider a case, where the buyer doesnt turn up to receive his cargo, possibly due to a sharp fall in the price of commodity. of course bank can take custody of cargo but the value of goods is less than what bank has paid.
First, i think the buyer will pay the issuing bank together when they issuing the LC.
But, based on article above. The bank can always use his power to get the money back no matter what excuses the buyer gave.
Hi Manaadiar,
You aare really producing fantastic articles. Keep up the good work of educating people in this industry of ours. Once in shipping will remain in shipping. I would like you to comment of an FCA contract if you can. I would be happy if you could also elaborate on procedures or steps to take if i am say, of receiving and despatching a foreign vessel at port.
I have done diploma in shipping from india, but after marriage settle in singapore n busy with housework n kids
almost 10yrs , i need to know some terms again like a revison n u have really provided it so well. as i m thinking to look for a job, but feel i lost confidence.
thanks
Hi Gail, thank you for your comments.. Am glad that i can be of assistance to anyone looking to enter the shipping industry..