Home Uncategorized AN EXAMPLE TO ILLUSTRATE SUB-ARTICLE 30 (C) – TOLERANCE

AN EXAMPLE TO ILLUSTRATE SUB-ARTICLE 30 (C) – TOLERANCE

4 min read
9
0
6,303


QUERY FROM LEO

Hi,

I find it hard to understand Article 30 (c) of UCP 600, which states that:
Even when partial shipments are not allowed, a tolerance not to exceed 5% less than the amount of the credit is allowed, provided that the quantity of the goods, if stated in the credit, is shipped in full and a unit price, if stated in the credit, is not reduced or that sub-article 30 (b) is not applicable. This tolerance does not apply when the credit stipulates a specific tolerance or uses the expressions referred to in sub-article 30 (a).

Could you please elaborate on this?
Regards,
Leo
——-

COMMENT

Hi Leo,

Reinhard Längerich writes in his book “Documentary credits in practice”:

The situation is described in Article 39 (c), which states that a tolerance of 5% less in the amount of the drawing is permissible, always provided that the credit prohibits partial shipments and that the entire quantity covered by the credit has been shipped. The purpose of this provision is to ensure that a reduction in, for instance, the cost of freight or the insurance premium does not prevent the honouring of documents under the credit.

ICC Official Opinion R367 says:
Sub-article 39 (c) covers the situation where the terms are CFR or CIF and the price quotation is based on a hypothetical or soft quotation on the insurance premium and/or the freight charges. Upon presentation of the documents, the beneficiary invoices for the actual insurance and freight costs, which conceivably are less than those quoted originally in the purchase order. Therefore, a 5% tolerance is allowed in the beneficiary's invoice, always provided that the quantity of the goods, if stipulated in the credit, is shipped in full, and a unit price, if stipulated in the credit, is not reduced.
Note: UCP 500 sub-article 39 (c) = UCP 600 sub-article 30 (c)

I just give an example to illustrate the point:

• LC details:
Credit amount: Not exceeding USD150,000
Goods: 10 trucks
Unit price: USD12,000/unit
Delivery term: CFR Da Nang Port, Vietnam
Freight charges as per actual freight invoice but not exceeding USD30,000

• Invoice presented:
Goods: 10 trucks
Unit price: USD12,000/unit
Freight charges: USD23,000.
Total invoice amount: USD143,000 CFR Da Nang Port, Vietnam

• Conclusion:
Draft drawn for USD143,000 is acceptable as per UCP 600 sub-article 30 (c).

Hope it is helpful.
Best regards,
Nguyen Huu Duc

9 Comments

  1. anonymous

    September 27, 2010 at 2:09 pm

    Ravi Nair writes:sirThank you for your article giving such informations for those dealing in export and import LCs. I have a doubt, our banker standard chartered bank giving percentage of tolerance 06/02 in field 39A saying that the liability of interest on 2 percent is on their account till the payment on 120 usance LC. Secondly they says that usance period is 4 months and thats why 4 months usance period charges plus 2 percent lolerance are for our account for LC opening.Kindly give me your advise on this priroirty basis.Thank youRavi [email protected][email protected]

    Reply

  2. mroldmanvcb

    September 27, 2010 at 3:09 pm

    Ravi, I m on business. I ll answer yr question later.

    Reply

  3. mroldmanvcb

    September 28, 2010 at 5:09 pm

    Hi,To tell the truth I do not understand what they mean. The below quoted from SWIFT Standard Release 2008 may be helpful. QUOTEField 39A: Percentage Credit Amount ToleranceDEFINITIONThis field specifies the tolerance relative to the documentary credit amount as a percentage plus and/or minus that amount.USAGE RULESTolerance 1 specifies a positive tolerance, the Tolerance 2 specifies a negative tolerance.Field 39B: Maximum Credit AmountDEFINITIONThis field further qualifies the documentary credit amount.CODESThe following code must be used (Error code(s): T01):NOT EXCEEDING Qualifies the documentary credit amount.Field 39C: Additional Amounts CoveredDEFINITIONThis field specifies any additional amounts available to the beneficiary under the terms of the credit, such as insurance, freight, interest, etc.UNQUOTEBest regards,Mr. Old Man

    Reply

  4. anonymous

    June 28, 2011 at 6:06 pm

    Anonymous writes:what do u exactly mean by – percentage credit tolerance 10/10 in a LC Thank you

    Reply

  5. mroldmanvcb

    June 28, 2011 at 10:06 pm

    A tolerance 10/10 means that a tolerance not to exceed 10% more or 10% less than the L/C amount is allowed/acceptable.For example, an L/C is issued with details as follows:Field 32B (Currency code, Amount): USD100,000 Field 39A (Percentage Credit Amount Tolerance): 10/10The L/C can be drawn for any amount within the range of USD90,000 to USD110,000 (i.e., USD100,000 +/-10%).

    Reply

  6. anonymous

    June 29, 2011 at 12:06 pm

    Anonymous writes:thank you so much ….. made it easy to understand .

    Reply

  7. Sam

    February 23, 2017 at 5:30 pm

    Hi the above example was very clear to explain tolerance could u explain if it’s 5 % more with example

    Reply

  8. Dawn

    March 29, 2023 at 7:05 pm

    Could you explain if partial shipments not allowed, full goods quantity shipped for full L/C value and unit price quoted. L/C tolerance is 00/00. The value of docs is less than the l/ value. Are the docs discrepancy for l/c underdrawn as the last sentence in art 30c states the 5% tolerance does not apply if there is a tolerance in the l/c

    Reply

    • Mr Old Man

      April 1, 2023 at 2:01 pm

      As the LC stipulates tolerance as 00/00, the drawn value which is less than the LC value is considered underdrawn.

      Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  • AN EXAMPLE TO ILLUSTRATE SUB-ARTICLE 30 (C) – TOLERANCE

    QUESTION Hi, I find it hard to understand Article 30 (c) of UCP 600, which states that: Ev…
Load More Related Articles
Load More By Mr Old Man
Load More In Uncategorized

Check Also

WHO PAYS THE DISCOUNTING CHARGES IN A DEFERRED PAYMENT LC?

QUESTION Hi, An LC for USD 1,000,000 is issued with these key terms: Usance LC: 180 days f…