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 Institute Cargo Clauses (A) or (Air), as Applicable – Does It Meet an LC Requirement for Institute All Risks? Questions relating to insurance documents continue to generate a surprising number of discrepancies under letters of credit. One area that occasionally causes uncertainty is whether an insurance docum… Read More
Should Banks Check Both Beneficiary Name and Account Number in Incoming Transfers? 29 Sep 2025 In cross-border payments, one recurring issue is whether receiving banks should credit funds solely based on the account number in the payment order, or whether they must also verify that the beneficiary name matches the account holder. Practices differ across countries, and the consequences are serious — especially in fraud cases. QUESTION Dear Mr. Old Man, In Korea, before remittances …
Confirmed vs. Unconfirmed LC – What’s the Difference? 28 Sep 2025 Letters of credit (LCs) can sometimes feel like a maze of terminology. Among the first distinctions every LC learner comes across is between a confirmed LC and an unconfirmed LC. The difference may sound simple, but it has big implications for the beneficiary’s security of payment. Many students also wonder if the advising bank is always the one confirming the …
Can These Special Conditions Be Accepted in an LC? 28 Sep 2025 When applicants ask for “special clauses” in their credits, bankers often face a balancing act: accommodating commercial realities while safeguarding the credit’s integrity. Some requests are harmless, some are risky, and a few are downright dangerous. A reader from the Middle East recently sent me a list of such clauses proposed by his customer, asking which ones can be accepted, …
Can the Beneficiary Be Both Shipper and Agent for the Carrier? 26 Sep 2025 In documentary credit practice, it is not uncommon to see situations where the same party appears in more than one capacity on a bill of lading. A recent reader raised the question whether a seller under an LC (the beneficiary) could also act as the shipper and at the same time sign the bill of lading as agent for the …
When the Shipper is Also the Carrier’s Agent 25 Sep 2025 One of the quirks of transport documents under a letter of credit is that the same party may sometimes wear two hats — appearing as shipper of the goods and also signing the bill of lading as agent for the carrier. Does this raise a red flag under UCP 600? A reader recently asked for clarification. QUESTION Dear Mr. Old …
Sub-article 31(b) UCP 600 – And Why the Same Ship Can Have Multiple Sets of Transport Documents 25 Sep 2025 Intro Sub-article 31(b) of UCP 600 often puzzles practitioners. On the one hand, it explains when multiple transport documents are not to be treated as partial shipments; on the other, it raises the practical question: how can the same ship and the same voyage end up with more than one set of bills of lading? Let’s unpack both sides. QUESTION …
Institute Cargo Clauses (A) or (Air), as Applicable – Does It Meet an LC Requirement for Institute All Risks? Questions relating to insurance documents continue to generate a surprising number of discrepancies under letters of credit. One area that occasionally causes uncertainty is whether an insurance document must expressly state “All Risks” when the credit requires such coverage. In the following case, the LC called for insurance covering “Institute All Risks”, while the presented insurance document referred to “Institute … Read More
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
Mr Old Man Institute Cargo Clauses (A) or (Air), as Applicable – Does It Meet an LC Requirement for Institute All Risks? Questions relating to insurance documents continue to generate a surprising number of discrepancies under letters of credit. One area that occasionally causes uncertainty is whether an insurance docum… 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 Institute Cargo Clauses (A) or (Air), as Applicable – Does It Meet an LC Requirement for Institute All Risks? Questions relating to insurance documents continue to generate a surprising number of discrepancies under letters of credit. One area that occasionally causes uncertainty is whether an insurance docum… Read More
Does a Longer L/C Expiry Date Mean Greater Risk? And Is the Word “Clean” Really Necessary on a Bill of Lading?
Institute Cargo Clauses (A) or (Air), as Applicable – Does It Meet an LC Requirement for Institute All Risks? Questions relating to insurance documents continue to generate a surprising number of discrepancies under letters of credit. One area that occasionally causes uncertainty is whether an insurance document must expressly state “All Risks” when the credit requires such coverage. In the following case, the LC called for insurance covering “Institute All Risks”, while the presented insurance document referred to “Institute … Read More
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
Mr Old Man Institute Cargo Clauses (A) or (Air), as Applicable – Does It Meet an LC Requirement for Institute All Risks? Questions relating to insurance documents continue to generate a surprising number of discrepancies under letters of credit. One area that occasionally causes uncertainty is whether an insurance docum… 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 Institute Cargo Clauses (A) or (Air), as Applicable – Does It Meet an LC Requirement for Institute All Risks? Questions relating to insurance documents continue to generate a surprising number of discrepancies under letters of credit. One area that occasionally causes uncertainty is whether an insurance docum… 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 Institute Cargo Clauses (A) or (Air), as Applicable – Does It Meet an LC Requirement for Institute All Risks? Questions relating to insurance documents continue to generate a surprising number of discrepancies under letters of credit. One area that occasionally causes uncertainty is whether an insurance docum… 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 Institute Cargo Clauses (A) or (Air), as Applicable – Does It Meet an LC Requirement for Institute All Risks? Questions relating to insurance documents continue to generate a surprising number of discrepancies under letters of credit. One area that occasionally causes uncertainty is whether an insurance docum… Read More
Does a Longer L/C Expiry Date Mean Greater Risk? And Is the Word “Clean” Really Necessary on a Bill of Lading?
Institute Cargo Clauses (A) or (Air), as Applicable – Does It Meet an LC Requirement for Institute All Risks? 7 Jun 2026 Questions relating to insurance documents continue to generate a surprising number of discrepancies under letters of credit. One area that occasionally causes uncertainty is whether an insurance document must expressly state “All Risks” when the credit requires such coverage. In the following case, the LC called for insurance covering “Institute All Risks”, while the presented insurance document referred to “Institute …
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 …
Institute Cargo Clauses (A) or (Air), as Applicable – Does It Meet an LC Requirement for Institute All Risks?
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 Institute Cargo Clauses (A) or (Air), as Applicable – Does It Meet an LC Requirement for Institute All Risks? Questions relating to insurance documents continue to generate a surprising number of discrepancies under letters of credit. One area that occasionally causes uncertainty is whether an insurance docum… 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 Institute Cargo Clauses (A) or (Air), as Applicable – Does It Meet an LC Requirement for Institute All Risks? Questions relating to insurance documents continue to generate a surprising number of discrepancies under letters of credit. One area that occasionally causes uncertainty is whether an insurance docum… Read More
Does a Longer L/C Expiry Date Mean Greater Risk? And Is the Word “Clean” Really Necessary on a Bill of Lading?
Institute Cargo Clauses (A) or (Air), as Applicable – Does It Meet an LC Requirement for Institute All Risks?
Institute Cargo Clauses (A) or (Air), as Applicable – Does It Meet an LC Requirement for Institute All Risks?