DETAILS OF L/C

CA Sanat Pyne (F.C.A. & M.COM) (20102 Points)

23 September 2010  

DETAILS OF LETTER OF CREDIT

Letter of Credit is one of the most popular and more secured of method of payment in recent times as compared to other methods of payment. A L/C Letter of Credit ) refers to the documents representing the goods and not the goods themselves. Banks are not in the business of examining the goods on behalf of the customers. Typical documents, which are required includes commercial invoice, transport document such as Bill of lading or Airway bill, an insurance documents etc. L/C deals in documents and not goods.

DEFINITION:

A Letter of Credit can be defined as “an undertaking by importer’s bank stating that payment will be made to the exporter if the required documents are presented to the bank within the validity of the L/C”.

PARTIES INVOLVED IN LETTER OF CREDIT:

  1. Applicant: The buyer or importer of goods
  2. Issuing bank: Importer’s bank, who issues the L/C
  3. Beneficiary: The party to whom the L/C is addressed. The Seller or supplier of goods.
  4. Advising bank: Issuing bank’s branch or correspondent bank in the exporter’s country to whom the L/C is send for onward transmission to the beneficiary.
  5. Confirming bank: The bank in beneficiary’s country, which guarantees the credit on the request of the issuing bank.
  6. Negotiating bank: The bank to whom the beneficiary presents his documents for payment under L/C

A Letter of Credit contains these elements:

  • A payment undertaking given by the bank (issuing bank) on behalf of the buyer (applicant)
  • To pay a seller (beneficiary) a given amount of money          on presentation of specified documents representing the supply of goods within specific time limits
  • These documents conforming to terms and conditions set out in the letter of credit
  • Documents to be presented at a specified place.

In simple words, the Issuing Bank’s role is twofold:

  • To guarantee to the seller that if complete documents are presented, the bank will pay the seller the amount due. This offers security to the seller – the bank says in effect “We will pay you if you present documents (XYZ)”
  • To examine the documents and only pay if these comply with the terms and conditions set out in the letter of credit. This protects the buyer’s interests – the bank says “We will only pay your supplier on your behalf if they present documents (XYZ) that you have asked for”

ADVANTAGES OF LETTER OF CREDIT

Advantages to the Exporter:

  • No blocking of funds.
  • Clearance of import regulations.
  • Free from liability.
  • Pre- shipment finance.
  • Non-refusal by importer.
  • Reduction in bad-debts.

Advantages to the Importer:

  • Better terms of trade.
  • Assurance of shipment of goods.
  • Overdraft facility.
  • No blocking of funds.
  • Delivery on time.
  • Better relations.

DISADVANTAGES OF LETTER OF CREDIT:

  • Lacks flexibility.
  • Complex method
  • Expensive for importer
  • Problem of revocable L/C

Sample Document: Letter of Credit (Documentary Credit)

THE MOON BANK

INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS

5 MOONLIGHT BLVD.,

EXPORT-CITY AND POSTAL CODE

EXPORT-COUNTRY

OUR ADVICE NO.

MB-5432

ISSUING BANK REF. NO. & DATE

SBRE-777     January 26, 2005

To,

UVW Exports

88 Prosperity Street East, Suite 707

Export-City and Postal Code

Dear Sirs:

We have been requested by The Sun Bank, Sunlight City, Import-Country to advise that they have opened with us their irrevocable documentary credit number SB-87654

For account of DEF Imports, 7 Sunshine Street, Sunlight City, Import-Country in your favor for the amount of not exceeding Twenty Five Thousand U.S. Dollars (US$25,000.00) available by your draft(s) drawn on us  at sight for full invoice value

Accompanied by the following documents:

  1. Signed commercial invoice in five (5) copies indicating the buyer’s

    Purchase Order No. DEF-101 dated January 10, 2005
  2. Packing list in five (5) copies.
  3. . Full set 3/3 clean on board ocean bill of lading, plus two (2) non-negotiable copies, issued to order of The Sun Bank, Sunlight City, Import-Country, notify the above accountee, marked “freight Prepaid”, dated latest March 19, 2005, and showing documentary credit number.
  4. Insurance policy in duplicate for 110% CIF value covering Institute Cargo Clauses (A), Institute War and Strike Clauses, evidencing that claims are payable in Import-Country.

Covering:     100 Sets ‘ABC’ Brand Pneumatic Tools, 1/2″ drive,

complete with hose and quick couplings, CIF Sunny Port

Shipment from:

Moonbeam Port, Export-Country to Sunny Port, Import-Country

Partial shipment

Prohibited

Tran-shipment

Permitted

Special conditions:

  1. All documents indicating the Import License No. IP/123456 dated January 18, 2005.
  2. All charges outside the Import-Country are on beneficiary’s account

Documents must be presented for payment within 15 days after the date of shipment.

Draft(s) drawn under this credit must be marked

Drawn under documentary credit No. SB-87654 of The Sun Bank,

Sunlight City, Import-Country, dated January 26, 2005

We confirm this credit and hereby undertake that all drafts drawn under and in conformity with the terms of this credit will be duly honored upon delivery of documents as specified, if presented at this office on or before     March 26, 2005

Very truly yours,

__________________________

Authorized Signature

Unless otherwise expressly stated, this Credit is subject to the Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits, 1993 Revision, International Chamber of Commerce Publication No. 500.

 

Source : https://www.mbaknol.com/international-finance/letter-of-credit/