Unit 4: Financing international trade Flashcards
What is an open account?
Open account means the exporter ships the goods to the buyer and just waits till a fixed date as agreed in their contract for payment from the buyer.
Normally, the exporter only accepts open account method of payment if he has known the buyer quite well and they have established a long-term and trustworthy business relationship.
Why open account?
Is only used for transactions between exporters and importers which have already established a trust-worthy and long-term business relation
Saving time for both exporter and importer as they deal directly with each other – not much involvement of banks.
Types of open account
Open account with bank guarantee
Open account with export credit insurance
What is documentary letter of credit?
A document issued by a bank, whereby the bank replaces the buyer as the paying party. The exporter is basing his risk of getting paid on the bank rather than on the importer. The bank will have to be reimbursed by the importer.
What is a sight draft?
A draft that has been drawn to be payable at the time of presenting the document
What is a usane draft/time draft/term draft?
A draft that has been drawn to be payable after a specific number of days.
What is banker’s acceptance?
A usance draft drawn on a bank that stamp ACCEPTED across the face, thereby making it a prime obligation of that bank to pay. It is used to finance specified short-term, self-liquidating transaction, including foreign trade.
What are documents required under typical letter of credit?
commercial invoice
transport documents
insurance document
certificate of origins
certificate of inspection
packing list
weight list
What is a commercial invoice?
Must be made out to the applicant for the letter of credit. The amount shown on the invoice should not be more than the amount permitted by the letter of credit; if it is, the bank may refuse to accept the invoice.
What are transport documents?
Sea transport – full set marine bill of lading;
Air transport – air waybill;
Rail transport – railway consignment note;
Road transport – road consignment note;
Combined transport – combined transport bill of lading.
What is an insurance document?
If shipment is made on CIF or CIP terms, the letter of credit will call for an insurance Policy/certificate.
What are parties in the letter of credit?
- Applicant: the buyer – open the letter of credit;
- Beneficiary: The seller – present documents and receive payment;
- Issuing/Opening bank: The bank that the buyer asks to open a letter of credit (open/issue L/C as the buyer’s request);
- Advising bank: The bank notifying the exporter that the letter of credit has been opened (advice L/C to the beneficiary);
- Confirming bank: Commit to pay beneficiary and bear the risk of issuing bank;
- Paying bank;
- Accepting bank;
- Negotiating bank.
What are the principles of letter of credit?
Autonomy and Strict Compliance
What is autonomy?
Autonomy means that the L/C entirely separates from the contract for the sale of goods. This means the bank is obliged to pay – whatever the dispute between the buyer and the exporter.
What is strict compliance?
Strict Compliance means that the exporter must present to the bank shipping documents that comply in all respects with the terms of the credit. Small deviations will result in refusal by the bank to pay.