Mr Old Man PARTIAL SHIPMENTS UNDER SUB-ARTICLE 31 (B) QUESTION Dear Mr. Old Man, LC does not allow partial shipments. Documents were presented to the issuing bank in two separate covering schedules. The first set reached the issuing bank’s counter on 5 O… Read More
Mr Old Man Does an Insurance Document Need to State “Effective Date” Exactly? One of the most common issues in the examination of insurance documents under letters of credit arises when the insurance policy or certificate is issued after the shipment date. ISBP 821 requires the… Read More
A Bad Job with a Good Boss – Still Better Than a Good Job with a Bad Boss? 30 Oct 2025 There’s a saying I’ve always liked: “A bad job with a good boss is better than a good job with a bad boss.” Sounds like a meme, but it’s one of those truths you only really understand after a few rounds in the workplace ring. A young friend from Saigon wrote to me recently — her job is decent, the …
Công việc tệ với sếp tốt – vẫn hơn công việc tốt với sếp tệ? 30 Oct 2025 (A bad job with a good boss is better than a good job with a bad boss?) Mặc dù chỉ chuyên tư vấn về nghiệp vụ thanh toán quốc tế và tài trợ thương mại, thỉnh thoảng Mr. Old Man cũng nhận được những câu hỏi về định hướng nghề nghiệp. Chẳng hạn như câu hỏi của bạn X. ở …
One Set of Documents Presented under Two Separate LCs – The “Combined Drawing” Dilemma 29 Oct 2025 Every now and then, exporters face a tricky situation — two letters of credit, same buyer, same goods, same vessel, and the urge to save time by presenting one combined set of documents. Sounds harmless enough, right? Not quite. What looks like a paperwork shortcut can easily turn into a “combined drawing” discrepancy — a frequent headache for both beneficiaries …
Confirmation with a Side Agreement? And When the Confirming Bank Doubles as Reimbursing Bank! 28 Oct 2025 Intro Our friend Thomas from a Korean bank brought up two rather unusual LC situations that would make even the most seasoned trade finance professional pause for a sip of coffee. In the first, the confirming bank adds its confirmation but signs a side agreement with the beneficiary — allowing recourse if the issuing bank refuses payment due to discrepancies. …
Chat GPT – My Perfect Match 28 Oct 2025 For almost 20 years, I’ve spent part of everyday answering a few questions about international payments, sent in by readers from both home and abroad. In the old days, I had to do everything on my own. But now, I’ve got a clever companion — Chat GPT — who helps double-check facts and polish my English until it sounds as …
Chat GPT – người bạn hợp cạ của Mr. Old Man 28 Oct 2025 Suốt gần 20 năm nay, ngày nào Mr. Old Man cũng bận rộn trả lời dăm ba câu hỏi liên quan đến nghiệp vụ thanh toán quốc tế, từ bạn đọc trong và ngoài nước. Nếu như trước đây Mr. Old Man phải tự mình làm tất cả, thì bây giờ đã có anh bạn Chat GPT cùng đồng hành – …
Does an Insurance Document Need to State “Effective Date” Exactly? One of the most common issues in the examination of insurance documents under letters of credit arises when the insurance policy or certificate is issued after the shipment date. ISBP 821 requires the insurance document to evidence that coverage was effective no later than the shipment date. But does the document need to use the exact wording “Effective Date”? What … Read More
From Negotiation to Payment: What’s Behind the Confirming Bank’s Request? Not all L/C amendments are about shipment dates, amounts, or documents. Sometimes, a confirming bank requests changes that appear quite technical, such as changing a credit from “available by negotiation” to “available by payment” or moving the place of expiry from one country to another. Are such amendments merely operational preferences, or do they have legal and risk implications for … Read More
Nomophobia – A New Word, A Familiar Feeling This morning, while enjoying a cup of coffee and scrolling through Facebook, Mr. Old Man came across a word he had never seen before: Nomophobia. The word refers to the fear or anxiety of being without a mobile phone or being unable to use it. When Mr. Old Man was studying English some decades ago, this word did not exist … Read More
Nomophobia – Hội chứng sợ không có điện thoại bên mình Hôm nay lướt Facebook, Mr. Old Man bắt gặp một từ tiếng Anh khá lạ: nomophobia. Ví dụ minh họa đi kèm rất dễ hiểu: “Many teenagers experience nomophobia when they forget their phones at home.” Tạm dịch: “Nhiều bạn trẻ trải qua hội chứng sợ không có điện thoại khi để quên điện thoại ở nhà.” Nomophobia được hiểu … Read More
Tắm Vitamin D (phần 2): Thay đổi quan điểm Hồi đầu tháng 5, Mr. Old Man từng viết bài “Tắm Vitamin D”, kể lại cảnh buổi sáng ở bãi biển Thanh Khê có nhiều cô chú lớn tuổi vùi mình dưới cát, nằm phơi nắng để “nạp Vitamin D” – theo cách nói vui của các cô chú là để tăng sức đề kháng, giảm đau lưng, đau chân, … Read More
Can an Issuing Bank Advise an LC Directly to the Beneficiary? One of the fundamental safeguards in documentary credits is the authentication process performed by an advising bank. But what happens if an issuing bank sends the LC directly to the beneficiary without involving an advising bank? Is this permissible under UCP 600, and what risks should the parties consider? Let’s look at a question from Gerson Mário. Question Dear Mr. … Read More
Does a Longer L/C Expiry Date Mean Greater Risk? And Is the Word “Clean” Really Necessary on a Bill of Lading? In international trade, many disputes arise not because parties misunderstand UCP 600, but because they mix up legal requirements with commercial practices. A reader recently asked Mr. Old Man about two common concerns in timber imports from Africa: whether the L/C expiry date must be linked to the shipping transit time, and whether removing the word “Clean” from “Clean On … Read More
Does Field 39A Cover Quantity Tolerance? A reader recently sent Mr. Old Man an interesting question about quantity tolerance under an L/C. The issue sounds simple at first glance, but in practice it often creates confusion between sales contract terms, the wording of the credit, and the application of UCP 600 Article 30. Here is the question and discussion. Question Dear Mr. Old Man, I would … Read More
CAN A COMMERCIAL INVOICE EXCEED THE LC AMOUNT? One area that occasionally causes confusion under UCP 600 is the relationship between Article 18(b) and Article 30(a). Many practitioners assume that a commercial invoice may exceed the LC amount only where the credit expressly allows a tolerance, or where the words “about” or “approximately” are used in connection with the credit amount under Article 30(a). However, Article 18(b) provides … Read More
Đừng để “ngoại ngữ” thành… “ngại ngữ” Hôm nay một bạn hiện đang định cư ở Mỹ đăng tút khoe đang tập nói tiếng Anh. Bạn lớn tuổi rồi mới bắt đầu học nói nên giọng còn ngọng nghịu, nghe chưa rõ lắm. Nhưng Mr. Old Man thấy vậy lại quý. Ở tuổi đó mà vẫn chịu khó mở miệng học cái mới đã đáng nể rồi. … Read More
Mr Old Man Does an Insurance Document Need to State “Effective Date” Exactly? One of the most common issues in the examination of insurance documents under letters of credit arises when the insurance policy or certificate is issued after the shipment date. ISBP 821 requires the… Read More
Does a Longer L/C Expiry Date Mean Greater Risk? And Is the Word “Clean” Really Necessary on a Bill of Lading?
Mr Old Man Does an Insurance Document Need to State “Effective Date” Exactly? One of the most common issues in the examination of insurance documents under letters of credit arises when the insurance policy or certificate is issued after the shipment date. ISBP 821 requires the… Read More
Does a Longer L/C Expiry Date Mean Greater Risk? And Is the Word “Clean” Really Necessary on a Bill of Lading?
Does an Insurance Document Need to State “Effective Date” Exactly? One of the most common issues in the examination of insurance documents under letters of credit arises when the insurance policy or certificate is issued after the shipment date. ISBP 821 requires the insurance document to evidence that coverage was effective no later than the shipment date. But does the document need to use the exact wording “Effective Date”? What … Read More
From Negotiation to Payment: What’s Behind the Confirming Bank’s Request? Not all L/C amendments are about shipment dates, amounts, or documents. Sometimes, a confirming bank requests changes that appear quite technical, such as changing a credit from “available by negotiation” to “available by payment” or moving the place of expiry from one country to another. Are such amendments merely operational preferences, or do they have legal and risk implications for … Read More
Nomophobia – A New Word, A Familiar Feeling This morning, while enjoying a cup of coffee and scrolling through Facebook, Mr. Old Man came across a word he had never seen before: Nomophobia. The word refers to the fear or anxiety of being without a mobile phone or being unable to use it. When Mr. Old Man was studying English some decades ago, this word did not exist … Read More
Nomophobia – Hội chứng sợ không có điện thoại bên mình Hôm nay lướt Facebook, Mr. Old Man bắt gặp một từ tiếng Anh khá lạ: nomophobia. Ví dụ minh họa đi kèm rất dễ hiểu: “Many teenagers experience nomophobia when they forget their phones at home.” Tạm dịch: “Nhiều bạn trẻ trải qua hội chứng sợ không có điện thoại khi để quên điện thoại ở nhà.” Nomophobia được hiểu … Read More
Tắm Vitamin D (phần 2): Thay đổi quan điểm Hồi đầu tháng 5, Mr. Old Man từng viết bài “Tắm Vitamin D”, kể lại cảnh buổi sáng ở bãi biển Thanh Khê có nhiều cô chú lớn tuổi vùi mình dưới cát, nằm phơi nắng để “nạp Vitamin D” – theo cách nói vui của các cô chú là để tăng sức đề kháng, giảm đau lưng, đau chân, … Read More
Can an Issuing Bank Advise an LC Directly to the Beneficiary? One of the fundamental safeguards in documentary credits is the authentication process performed by an advising bank. But what happens if an issuing bank sends the LC directly to the beneficiary without involving an advising bank? Is this permissible under UCP 600, and what risks should the parties consider? Let’s look at a question from Gerson Mário. Question Dear Mr. … Read More
Does a Longer L/C Expiry Date Mean Greater Risk? And Is the Word “Clean” Really Necessary on a Bill of Lading? In international trade, many disputes arise not because parties misunderstand UCP 600, but because they mix up legal requirements with commercial practices. A reader recently asked Mr. Old Man about two common concerns in timber imports from Africa: whether the L/C expiry date must be linked to the shipping transit time, and whether removing the word “Clean” from “Clean On … Read More
Does Field 39A Cover Quantity Tolerance? A reader recently sent Mr. Old Man an interesting question about quantity tolerance under an L/C. The issue sounds simple at first glance, but in practice it often creates confusion between sales contract terms, the wording of the credit, and the application of UCP 600 Article 30. Here is the question and discussion. Question Dear Mr. Old Man, I would … Read More
CAN A COMMERCIAL INVOICE EXCEED THE LC AMOUNT? One area that occasionally causes confusion under UCP 600 is the relationship between Article 18(b) and Article 30(a). Many practitioners assume that a commercial invoice may exceed the LC amount only where the credit expressly allows a tolerance, or where the words “about” or “approximately” are used in connection with the credit amount under Article 30(a). However, Article 18(b) provides … Read More
Đừng để “ngoại ngữ” thành… “ngại ngữ” Hôm nay một bạn hiện đang định cư ở Mỹ đăng tút khoe đang tập nói tiếng Anh. Bạn lớn tuổi rồi mới bắt đầu học nói nên giọng còn ngọng nghịu, nghe chưa rõ lắm. Nhưng Mr. Old Man thấy vậy lại quý. Ở tuổi đó mà vẫn chịu khó mở miệng học cái mới đã đáng nể rồi. … Read More
Mr Old Man Does an Insurance Document Need to State “Effective Date” Exactly? One of the most common issues in the examination of insurance documents under letters of credit arises when the insurance policy or certificate is issued after the shipment date. ISBP 821 requires the… Read More
Does a Longer L/C Expiry Date Mean Greater Risk? And Is the Word “Clean” Really Necessary on a Bill of Lading?
Mr Old Man Does an Insurance Document Need to State “Effective Date” Exactly? One of the most common issues in the examination of insurance documents under letters of credit arises when the insurance policy or certificate is issued after the shipment date. ISBP 821 requires the… Read More
Does a Longer L/C Expiry Date Mean Greater Risk? And Is the Word “Clean” Really Necessary on a Bill of Lading?
Mr Old Man Does an Insurance Document Need to State “Effective Date” Exactly? One of the most common issues in the examination of insurance documents under letters of credit arises when the insurance policy or certificate is issued after the shipment date. ISBP 821 requires the… Read More
Does a Longer L/C Expiry Date Mean Greater Risk? And Is the Word “Clean” Really Necessary on a Bill of Lading?
Mr Old Man Does an Insurance Document Need to State “Effective Date” Exactly? One of the most common issues in the examination of insurance documents under letters of credit arises when the insurance policy or certificate is issued after the shipment date. ISBP 821 requires the… Read More
Does a Longer L/C Expiry Date Mean Greater Risk? And Is the Word “Clean” Really Necessary on a Bill of Lading?
Does an Insurance Document Need to State “Effective Date” Exactly? 7 Jun 2026 One of the most common issues in the examination of insurance documents under letters of credit arises when the insurance policy or certificate is issued after the shipment date. ISBP 821 requires the insurance document to evidence that coverage was effective no later than the shipment date. But does the document need to use the exact wording “Effective Date”? What …
From Negotiation to Payment: What’s Behind the Confirming Bank’s Request? 6 Jun 2026 Not all L/C amendments are about shipment dates, amounts, or documents. Sometimes, a confirming bank requests changes that appear quite technical, such as changing a credit from “available by negotiation” to “available by payment” or moving the place of expiry from one country to another. Are such amendments merely operational preferences, or do they have legal and risk implications for …
Nomophobia – A New Word, A Familiar Feeling 5 Jun 2026 This morning, while enjoying a cup of coffee and scrolling through Facebook, Mr. Old Man came across a word he had never seen before: Nomophobia. The word refers to the fear or anxiety of being without a mobile phone or being unable to use it. When Mr. Old Man was studying English some decades ago, this word did not exist …
Nomophobia – Hội chứng sợ không có điện thoại bên mình 5 Jun 2026 Hôm nay lướt Facebook, Mr. Old Man bắt gặp một từ tiếng Anh khá lạ: nomophobia. Ví dụ minh họa đi kèm rất dễ hiểu: “Many teenagers experience nomophobia when they forget their phones at home.” Tạm dịch: “Nhiều bạn trẻ trải qua hội chứng sợ không có điện thoại khi để quên điện thoại ở nhà.” Nomophobia được hiểu …
Tắm Vitamin D (phần 2): Thay đổi quan điểm 5 Jun 2026 Hồi đầu tháng 5, Mr. Old Man từng viết bài “Tắm Vitamin D”, kể lại cảnh buổi sáng ở bãi biển Thanh Khê có nhiều cô chú lớn tuổi vùi mình dưới cát, nằm phơi nắng để “nạp Vitamin D” – theo cách nói vui của các cô chú là để tăng sức đề kháng, giảm đau lưng, đau chân, …
Can an Issuing Bank Advise an LC Directly to the Beneficiary? 4 Jun 2026 One of the fundamental safeguards in documentary credits is the authentication process performed by an advising bank. But what happens if an issuing bank sends the LC directly to the beneficiary without involving an advising bank? Is this permissible under UCP 600, and what risks should the parties consider? Let’s look at a question from Gerson Mário. Question Dear Mr. …
Does a Longer L/C Expiry Date Mean Greater Risk? And Is the Word “Clean” Really Necessary on a Bill of Lading? 3 Jun 2026 In international trade, many disputes arise not because parties misunderstand UCP 600, but because they mix up legal requirements with commercial practices. A reader recently asked Mr. Old Man about two common concerns in timber imports from Africa: whether the L/C expiry date must be linked to the shipping transit time, and whether removing the word “Clean” from “Clean On …
Does Field 39A Cover Quantity Tolerance? 3 Jun 2026 A reader recently sent Mr. Old Man an interesting question about quantity tolerance under an L/C. The issue sounds simple at first glance, but in practice it often creates confusion between sales contract terms, the wording of the credit, and the application of UCP 600 Article 30. Here is the question and discussion. Question Dear Mr. Old Man, I would …
CAN A COMMERCIAL INVOICE EXCEED THE LC AMOUNT? 3 Jun 2026 One area that occasionally causes confusion under UCP 600 is the relationship between Article 18(b) and Article 30(a). Many practitioners assume that a commercial invoice may exceed the LC amount only where the credit expressly allows a tolerance, or where the words “about” or “approximately” are used in connection with the credit amount under Article 30(a). However, Article 18(b) provides …
Đừng để “ngoại ngữ” thành… “ngại ngữ” 3 Jun 2026 Hôm nay một bạn hiện đang định cư ở Mỹ đăng tút khoe đang tập nói tiếng Anh. Bạn lớn tuổi rồi mới bắt đầu học nói nên giọng còn ngọng nghịu, nghe chưa rõ lắm. Nhưng Mr. Old Man thấy vậy lại quý. Ở tuổi đó mà vẫn chịu khó mở miệng học cái mới đã đáng nể rồi. …
Does a Longer L/C Expiry Date Mean Greater Risk? And Is the Word “Clean” Really Necessary on a Bill of Lading?
Mr Old Man Does an Insurance Document Need to State “Effective Date” Exactly? One of the most common issues in the examination of insurance documents under letters of credit arises when the insurance policy or certificate is issued after the shipment date. ISBP 821 requires the… Read More
Does a Longer L/C Expiry Date Mean Greater Risk? And Is the Word “Clean” Really Necessary on a Bill of Lading?
Mr Old Man Does an Insurance Document Need to State “Effective Date” Exactly? One of the most common issues in the examination of insurance documents under letters of credit arises when the insurance policy or certificate is issued after the shipment date. ISBP 821 requires the… Read More
Does a Longer L/C Expiry Date Mean Greater Risk? And Is the Word “Clean” Really Necessary on a Bill of Lading?