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Money transfer procedure in sea transport -The documentary credit system

The "documentary credit system" is a money transfer system commonly used in overseas trade to enable sellers to obtain early payment, i.e. soon after shipment of the goods.

- relies heavily on documents, which are carefully checked by the banks involved before they make payment.
- operates with the procedure in the following example, which assumes a Seller in the UK and a Buyer in New Zealand.

1. Seller and Buyer conclude their sales contract, specifying payment by documentary credit.

2. Buyer instructs his bank in NZ to open a Credit in favour of Seller.

3. Buyer’s NZ bank verifies Buyer’s credit-worthiness and issues a Letter of Credit (LOC) containing terms of the Credit (i.e. stringent requirements regarding use of CIF terms, documents, time of loading, etc. Buyer’s bank sends LOC to Seller’s bank.

4. Seller’s bank checks LOC requirements, then sends LOC to Seller.

5. Seller despatches goods, assembles documents required by LOC (usually invoice, insurance certificate, full set of “clean on board” bills of lading made “to order” which are obtained once goods are shipped). Seller presents all shipping documents to his bank and asks for his payment.

6. Seller’s bank checks documents against LOC requirements. If they comply (including “clean” bills of lading), Seller’s bank pays Seller and sends documents to Buyer’s bank.

7. Buyer’s bank checks documents against LOC. If they comply, Buyer’s bank releases documents to Buyer against payment, then reimburses Seller’s bank.

8. Buyer receives documents, enabling him to obtain release of goods from ship.


Note: A problem will arise when a bank is instructed by the Letter of Credit to pay only on production of a full set of “clean on board” bills of lading, whereas the bills of lading have been claused in respect of some defect or shortage

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Purpose of CIF ( Cost, Insurance and Freight ) used in international trade terms (INCOTERMS)





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