Mr Old Man Payment Q&A Understanding Quantity Tolerance under UCP 600 Article 30(b): Practical Examples By Mr Old Man Posted on February 16, 2013 5 min read 8 0 5,057 Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Google+ Share on Reddit Share on Pinterest Share on Linkedin Share on Tumblr Intro Questions about quantity tolerance appear frequently in practice, especially when credits state quantities in different ways — by number, by packing units, or by weight and volume. Sub-article 30(b) of UCP 600 is straightforward in principle, but its application becomes clearer when seen through practical examples. ⸻ ✅ QUESTION Dear Mr. Old Man, I’ve found your answer concerning sub-article 30(c) UCP 600 very useful. I urgently need some detailed examples of the same article but for sub-article (b), namely where the credit does not state the quantity in terms of: • a stipulated number of packing units; or • individual items. Please give some examples (10,000 kg, 100 MT, 100 cars, 120 bales, 100,000 envelopes) and others. Are these related to countable and uncountable nouns or what? Thanks, Pitman ⸻ ✅ ANSWER Dear Pitman, Thank you for your question. To understand sub-article 30(b), it helps first to distinguish between three ways in which quantity may be expressed in a credit. 1️⃣ Quantity expressed as individual items Examples: • 2,000 wristwatches • 1,500 computers • 100 cars • 100,000 envelopes These are individual items. Each unit is counted separately. 2️⃣ Quantity expressed as packing units Examples: • 12,000 boxes • 1,000 pallets • 5,000 bales • 500 barrels These refer to packing units, even though the contents inside may be bulk goods. 3️⃣ Quantity expressed as bulk or measurable quantities Examples: • 10,000 MT of urea fertilizer • 15,000 gallons of oil • 5,000 MT of rice • 25,000 kilograms of sugar These are quantities measured by weight or volume, not by counting units. ⸻ How Article 30(b) applies Sub-article 30(b) UCP 600 provides that a tolerance of up to 5% more or less than the stipulated quantity is allowed only when: • the credit does not state the quantity in terms of a stipulated number of individual items or packing units; and • the drawing does not exceed the credit amount. Therefore: • If a credit calls for 100 cars → tolerance under 30(b) does not apply. • If a credit calls for 5,000 bales of cotton → tolerance under 30(b) does not apply. • If a credit calls for 10,000 MT of rice → tolerance under 30(b) may apply, subject to the credit amount not being exceeded. The rationale is practical: With bulk goods measured by weight or volume, small variations are normal in trade and transport. With counted units or packing units, the expectation is usually exact shipment unless the credit states otherwise. ⸻ About countable and uncountable nouns From a language perspective, individual items are naturally countable, while bulk goods such as oil or grain are typically measured rather than counted. However, Article 30(b) is based on commercial practice and measurement methods, not grammar. The linguistic distinction may help understanding. ⸻ Closing remark Article 30(b) is a good example of how UCP 600 reflects the realities of trade. Where goods are measured in bulk, tolerance is built into the rules; where goods are counted, precision is expected unless the credit itself provides flexibility. Best regards, Mr. Old Man