For those working in documentary credits, there has always been an unspoken rhythm: roughly every decade, a new version of UCP comes along. From its early days to UCP 600, revisions have followed a fairly regular cycle. But this time feels different. Nearly 20 years have passed — and UCP 600 remains untouched. No draft revision. No clear signal of …

This article is inspired by “Documentary credits and the illusion of certainty – resolving the real problem” by David Meynell. □ We tend to think of letters of credit as a “safe” method of payment. As long as documents comply with the terms of the credit and UCP 600, payment should follow. Banks examine documents, not goods. They do not …

Bài này được viết lại lấy cảm hứng từ bài viết “Documentary credits and the illusion of certainty – resolving the real problem” của Dave Meynell – chuyên gia ICC. Ai muốn đọc bản gốc tiếng Anh thì xem ở đây: https://www.tradefinance.training/blog/articles/documentary-credits-and-the-illusion-of-certainty–resolving-the-real-problem/ Còn muốn dễ tiêu hóa thì đọc bản tiếng Việt này nhé. Tín dụng chứng từ: Tưởng chắc …

Every trade finance practitioner has seen this moment—or at least worried about it. A nominated bank gives its word. It incurs a deferred payment undertaking, or accepts a draft. Then maturity arrives… and nothing happens. No payment. No honour. So the uncomfortable question arises: Is the beneficiary now exposed? The Rule Is Clear—Even If Reality Isn’t Under UCP 600 sub-articles …

A familiar situation in documentary credits: a few kilograms short, a few dollars less—and suddenly, Article 30(b) becomes the center of discussion. Does tolerance quietly apply, or does the LC still demand strict compliance? QUESTION Dear Mr. Old Man, Hope you are doing well. Request you to clarify below queries: Case Details: 1 LC allows 5/5 tolerance in LC Value. …

Introduction Most documentary collections behave themselves. Roles are clear, risks are understood, and the collecting bank stays where it belongs—in the middle, passing documents, not carrying obligations. But occasionally, a small detail slips through. A draft is drawn on the wrong party. Nothing looks dramatic, yet the legal position changes completely. And just like that, the collecting bank may find …

Intro In back-to-back LC transactions, questions about Incoterms often come not from the rules—but from the bank’s sense of risk. This case is a good example: what is legally allowed, and what is operationally wise, are not always the same thing. Question Hello Sir, We are doing back-to-back LC and our shipment is under charter party. Import is on FOB …

Intro: At first glance, UCP 600 article 24 (a)(i) seems straightforward. Yet the small word “or” often raises a practical question: must a transport document be both signed and indicate receipt of goods—or is one enough? The answer lies in reading the structure carefully, and in understanding how ISBP 821 complements (but does not change) the rule. Question Hi Sir, …

Intro MT999 is often used as a free format SWIFT message between banks. It looks simple and convenient. But when it is not authenticated, especially in documentary credit transactions, it may create risks that are not always clearly understood. QUESTION Dear Mr. Old Man, We would be interested to know how your bank treats non-authenticated SWIFT message MT999: How are …

Intro A small but recurring point of confusion in practice: when a credit is available by deferred payment, do we still need a bill of exchange—and if yes, who should it be drawn on? The answer is straightforward in principle, but often misunderstood in execution. Question Dear Sir, Good day! The LC shows: Available with: XYZ Bank Drawee: XYZ Bank …