A letter of credit includes terminology similar to “documents must be presented within 10 days after the bill of lading date but within the validity of the letter of credit.” For example, if the shipment took place on January 1, documents must be presented no later than January 11 or the expiration date if earlier.
How to Apply for a Letter of Credit. The exporter and their bank must be satisfied with the creditworthiness of the importer's bank. Once the Sales Agreement is completed, the importer applies to their bank to open a Letter of Credit in favor of the exporter.
Here are the professional steps for a banker to check the documents under an LC: Review the Letter of Credit. Examine Each Document Carefully. Verify the Bill of Lading (B/L) ... Check the Commercial Invoice. Inspect Other Required Documents. Look for Discrepancies. Communicate with the Involved Parties. Decision Making.
The Letter of Credit (LC) process starts with the buyer and seller in a trade agreeing upon the initial contract. The buyer then request their bank to issue an LC. The buyer's bank issues the LC to the seller's bank.
FROM :( NAME & ADDRESS OF OPENING BANK) TO :( NAME & ADDRESS OF NEGOTIATING BANK) 40A TYPE OF L/C: IRREVOCABLE. 20 L/C Number.
A letter of credit is usually a short-term instrument often expiring within 90 days. A standby letter of credit is a long-term instrument usually remaining valid for a year. Letters of credit are the most frequently used trade finance.
The International rules for letters of credit, known as the Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits (UCP), state, “A credit must state an expiry date for presentation” (Article 6d). It is relatively easy to find the expiry date in the letter of credit.
Revolving credit remains open until the lender or borrower closes the account. A line of credit, on the other hand, can have an end date or terms for a time period when you can make payments but not withdrawals.
Letter of Credit Maturity Dates In the case of an auto-renewal letter of credit, if a bank or credit union does not otherwise notify the seller within a specified time prior to the letter's maturity date, the seller considers the letter of credit automatically renewed.