Introduction In practice, the terms negotiation and discounting are often used interchangeably in letter of credit (LC) transactions. However, under UCP 600, they are not the same. This Q&A clarifies the distinction—especially when an LC is available with a nominated bank by negotiation.  QUESTION Hi, I would like to understand the difference between negotiation and discounting, particularly in cases where …

Intro In SWIFT MT 700, Fields 39A and 39B are often referred to as “tolerance Fields”. Although both relate to the credit amount, they serve different purposes and lead to very different practical outcomes. This Q&A explains the distinction and when each Field is typically used. Question Dear Sir, Good day! I have some doubts on Tolerance Field39A and 39B. …

Intro In LC practice, the term “cable negotiation” is sometimes mentioned by beneficiaries and banks, even though it does not appear in UCP 600. This Q&A clarifies what “cable negotiation” means in practice, how it works, and the benefits and risks involved for each party when discrepant documents are presented. QUESTION Dear Mr. Old Man, My name is HY. I …

Intro  Letters of Credit sometimes contain additional conditions that blur the line between presentation by the beneficiary and document handling between banks. When such clauses are poorly drafted, the question inevitably arises: can an issuing bank turn an internal routing instruction into a discrepancy? The following Q&A addresses one such situation involving Fields 47A and 48. QUESTION Dear Sir, LC …

Intro Differences between the amount in words and the amount in figures are among the most common issues encountered in document examination under letters of credit. At first glance, such inconsistencies appear to be straightforward discrepancies. However, practice shows that the answer is not always the same, particularly when a bill of exchange (draft) is involved. While UCP 600 establishes …

INTRO In practice, bank guarantees are often treated as if they must be issued or advised through a local bank in the beneficiary’s country. This assumption frequently leads to confusion between legal possibility and market or tender requirements, especially when physical bank guarantees are involved. The following question raises a simple but important issue: Can a bank issue a physical …

Intro  Time calculations under Letters of Credit often look simple, yet the word “within” continues to cause confusion — especially when readers focus on the example given in ISBP 821 paragraph A14(b)(i) and wonder whether the permitted period should extend both before and after the shipment date.  The following Q&A addresses a very practical question: When an LC requires documents …

Intro From time to time, beneficiaries find themselves facing draft Letters of Credit containing conditions that appear unnecessary, impractical, or even deliberately risky. Are these merely poor drafting practices, or are they “discrepancy traps” waiting to happen?  In the following exchange, Mr. Old Man shares his views on how sellers should respond when confronted with such LCs — and why …

Intro In documentary credit practice, mismatches between Incoterms® rules and LC document requirements are a frequent source of confusion — and disputes. One such classic mismatch arises when a credit issued under EXW Incoterms nevertheless requires the presentation of an air waybill (AWB). Is this automatically wrong? Or merely risky?  A reader raised the issue bluntly — and rightly so. …

(This Q&A is excerpted from a discussion by the Trade Services Update editors (LCM_QUERY 2026-01) Intro In documentary credit practice, the loss of an original bill of lading after a complying presentation has been made often gives rise to confusion between payment obligations under a letter of credit and the practical arrangements required to obtain delivery of the goods. Parties …