Mr Old Man Payment Q&A Same Bank or Different Bank? A Practical UCP 600 Puzzle on Branches and Presentation By Mr Old Man Posted on 2 days ago 5 min read 0 0 26 Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Google+ Share on Reddit Share on Pinterest Share on Linkedin Share on Tumblr In documentary credit practice, what looks obvious on paper can become surprisingly tricky in real life — especially when documents are presented at the “wrong” branch of the “right” bank. This case raises two classic questions under UCP 600 Article 3 and Article 14: Are branches in the same country the same bank? If documents are presented at a different branch, is the presentation still valid? Let’s walk through it. ___ Question Hello Sir, Hope everything is going well. Assistance required for troubleshooting on credit availability followed by document examination: Issue 1 As per UCP 600 Article 3: “Branches of a bank in different countries are considered to be separate banks.” Can it therefore be inferred that: Branches of a bank in the same country are considered to be the same bank? Issue 2 Credit available with: SCB, Ningbo Branch, China Shipment date: 01 April 2026 Period of presentation: 21 days Documents presented to: SCB, Shanghai Branch, China on: 22 April 2026 Delivered to SCB, Ningbo Branch, China on: 23 April 2026 Queries: Is this a late presentation? When does document examination start (23 April or 24 April)? Thanks in advance. Regards, Khandakar _______ Answer Dear Khandakar, Thank you for your well-structured and practical question. This scenario goes right to the heart of how UCP 600 is applied in day-to-day operations. Are branches in the same country considered the same bank? UCP 600 Article 3 states: “Branches of a bank in different countries are considered to be separate banks.” By implication — and in established practice — branches of the same bank within the same country are treated as the same bank, unless the credit expressly provides otherwise. Late presentation & commencement of examination 2.1 Is it a late presentation? Under UCP 600 Article 14(c): A presentation must be made not later than 21 calendar days after the date of shipment, but in any event not later than the expiry date of the credit. Shipment date: 01 April 2026 Last day for presentation: 22 April 2026 Documents were presented to SCB Shanghai Branch on 22 April 2026. Both: SCB Shanghai Branch, and SCB Ningbo Branch are branches of the same bank in China and therefore considered the same bank. Accordingly, the presentation on 22 April 2026 is timely. ✅ No late presentation. (Regarding this point, there may be a different view that documents must be presented to the Ningbo Branch within the presentation period, as it could be considered a specifically required place of presentation. Interested to hear your views.) 2.2 When does document examination start? Under UCP 600 Article 14(b): A nominated bank acting on its nomination, a confirming bank, if any, and the issuing bank shall each have a maximum of five banking days following the day of presentation to determine if a presentation is complying. Date of presentation: 22 April 2026 Therefore: The bank may begin examination on 22 April 2026 The 5 banking day period starts on 23 April 2026 Assuming all are banking days: Latest deadline to issue a notice of refusal: 27 April 2026 Conclusion (Quick Take) ✅ Presentation date: 22 April 2026 ✅ No late presentation ✅ Examination may start: 22 April 2026 ✅ 5 banking day period starts: 23 April 2026 ✅ Latest refusal deadline: 27 April 2026 Best regards, Mr. Old Man