Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits

                                            (1993 Revision)
 
 
The Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits, 1993 Revision, ICC Publication No. 500, shall apply to all documentary Credits (including to the extent to which they may be applicable, Standby Letter(s) of Credit) where they are incorporated into the text of the Credit. They are binding on all parties thereto, unless otherwise expressly stipulated in the Credit.
 
For the purposes of these Articles, the expressions "Documentary Credit (s)" and "Standby Letter(s) of Credit" (hereinafter referred to as "Credit (s) "), rmean any arrangement, however named or described, whereby a bank(the "Issuing Bank") acting at the request and on the instructions of a customer (the "Applicant") or on its own behalf,
  i) is to make a payment to or to the order of a third party(the "Beneficiary"), or is to accept and pay bills of exchange(Draft(s)) drawn by the Beneficiary, or
  ii) authorises another bank to effect such payment, or to accept and pay such bills of exchange(Draft(s)), or
  iii) authorises another bank to negotiate, against stipulated document(s), provided that the terms and conditions of the Credit are complied with. For the purposes of these Articles, branches of a bank in different countreis are considered another bank.
a. Credits, by their nature, are separate transactions from the sales or other contract(s) on which they may be based and banks are in no way concerned with or bound by such contract(s), even if any reference whatsoever to such contract(s) is included in the Credit. Consequently, the undertaking of a bank to pay, accept and pay Draft(s) or negotiate and/or to fulfil any other obligation under the Credit, is not subject to claims or defences by the Applicant resulting from his relationships with the Issuing Bank or the Beneficiary.
b. A Beneficiary can in no case avail himself of the contractual relationships existing between the banks or between the Applicant and the Issuing Bank.
 
Article 4. Documents v. Goods/Services/Performances
In Credit operations all parties concerned deal with documents, and not with goods, services and/or other performances to which the documents may relate.
 
Article 5. Instructions to Issue/Amend Credits
a. Instructions for the issuance of a Credit, the Credit itself, instructions for an amendment thereto, and the amendment itself, must be complete and precise. In order to guard against confusion and misunderstanding, banks should discourage any attempt
  i) to include excessive detail in the Credit or in any amendment thereto;
  ii) to give instructions to issue, advise or confirm a Credit by reference to a Credit previously issued (similar Credit) where such previous Credit has been subject to accepted amendment(s), and/or unaccepted amendment(s),
b. All instructions for the issuance of a Credit and the Credit itself and, where applicable, all instructions for an amendment thereto and the amendment itself, must state precisely the document(s) against which payment, acceptance or negotiation is to be made.
 
 
 
 
Article 6. Revocable v. Irrevocable Credits
a. A Credit may be either
  i) revocable, or
  ii) irrevocable.
b. The Credit, therefore, should clearly indicate whether it is revocable or irrevocable.
c. In the absence of such indication the Credit shall be deemed to be irrevocable.
 
Article 7. Advising Bank's Liability
a. A Credit may be advised to a Beneficiary through another bank(the "Advising Bank") without engagement on the part of the Advising Bank, but that bank, if it elects to advise the Credit, shall take reasonable care to check the apparent authenticity of the Credit which it advises. If the bank elects not to advise the Credit, it must so inform the Issuing Bank without delay.
b. If the Advising Bank cannot establish such apparent authenticity it must inform, without delay, the bank from which the instructions appear to have been received that it has been unable to establish the authenticity of the Credit and if it elects nonetheless to advise the Credit it must inform the Beneficiary that it has not been able to establish the authen, ticity of the Credit.
 
Article 8. Revocation of a Credit
a. A revocable Credit may be amended or cancelled by the Issuing Bank at any moment and without prior notice to the Beneficiary.
b. However, the Issuing Bank must:
  i) reimburse another bank with which a revocable Credit has been made available for sight payment, acceptance or negotiation-for any payment, acceptance or negotiation made by such bank-prior to receipt by it of notice of amendment or cancellation, against documents which appear on their face to be in compliance with the terms and conditions of the Credit,
   ii) reimburse another bank with which a revocable Credit has been made available for deferred payment, if such a bank has, prior to receipt by it of notice of amendment or cancellation, taken up documents which appear on their face to be in compliance with the terms and conditions of the Credit.
 
Article 9. Liability of Issuing and Confirming Banks
a. An irrevocable Credit constitutes a definite undertaking of the Issuing Bank, provided that the stipulated documents are presented to the Nominated Bank or to the Issuing Bank and that the terms and conditions of the Credit are complied with:
  i) if the Credit provides for sight payment-to pay at sight;
 ii) if the Credit provides for deferred payment-to pay on the maturity date(s) determinable in accordance with the stipulations of the Credit;
  iii) if the Credit provides for acceptance;
    (a) by the Issuing Bank-to accept Draft(s) drawn by the Beneficiarq on the Issuing Bank and pay them at maturity, or
    (b) by another drawee bank-to accept and pay at maturity Draft(s) drawn by the Beneficiary on the Issuing Bank in the event the drawee bank stipulated in the Credit does not accept Draft(s) drawn on it, or to pay Draft(s) accepted but not paid by such drawee bank at maturity;
  iv) if the Credit provides for negotiation-to pay without recourse to drawers and/or bona fide holders, Draft(s) drawn by the Benefici ary and/or document(s) presented under the Credit. A Credit should not be issued available by Draft(s) on the Applicant. If the Credit nevertheless calls for Draft(s) on the Applicant, banks will consider such Draft(s) as an additional document(s).
b. A confirmation of an irrevocable Credit by another bank (the"Confirminn Bank") upon the authorisation or request of the Issuing Bank, constitutes a definite undertaking of the Confirming Bank, in addition to that of the Issuing Bank, provided that the stipulated documents are presented to the Confirming Bank or to any other Nominated Bank and that the terms and conditions of the Credit are complied with:
  i) if the Credit provides for sight payment-to pay at sight;
  ii) if the Credit provides for deferred payment-to pay on the maturity date(s) determinable in accordance with the stipulations of the Credit;
  iii) if the Credit provides for acceptance:
    (a) by the Confirming Bank-to accept Draft(s) drawn by the Beneficiary on the Confirming Bank and pay them at maturity, or
    (b) by another drawee bank-to accept and pay at maturity Draft(s) drawn by the Beneficiary on the Confirming Bank, in the event the drawee bank stipulated in the Credit does not accept Draft(s) drawn on it, or to pay Draft(s) accepted but not paid by such drawee bank at maturity;
  iv) if the Credit provides for negotiation-to negotiate without recourse to drawers and/or bonafide holders, Draft(s) drawn by the Beneficiary and/or document(s) presented under the Credit. A Credit should not be issued available by Draft(s) on the Applicant. If the Credit nevertheless calls for Draft(s) on the Applicant, banks will consider such Draft(s) as an additional document(s).
c. i) If another bank is authorised or requested by the Issuing Bank to add its confirmation to a Credit but is not prepared to do so, it must so inform the Issuing Bank without delay.
  ii) Unless the Issuing Bank specifies otherwise in its authorisation or request to add confirmation, the Advising Bank may advise the Credit to the Beneficiary without adding its confirmation.
d. i) Except as otherwise provided by Article 48, an Irrevocable Credit can neither be amended nor cancelled without the agreement of the Issuing Bank, the Confirming Bank, if any, and the Beneficiary.
  ii) The Issuing Bank shall be irrevocably bound by an amendment(s) issued by it from the time of the issuance of such amendment(s). A Confirming Bank may extend its confirmation to an amendment and shall be irrevocably bound as of the time of its advice of the amendment. A Confirming Bank may, however, choose to advise an amendment to the Beneficiary without extending its confirmation and if so, must inform the Issuing Bank and the Beneficiary without delay.
  iii) The terms of the original Credit(or a Credit incorporating previously accepted amendment(s)) will remain in force for the Beneficiary until the Beneficiary communicates his acceptance of the amendment to the bank that advised such amendment. The Beneficiary should give notification of acceptance or rejection of amendment (s). If the Beneficiary fails to give such notification, the tender of documents to the Nominated Bank or Issuing Bank, that conform to the Credit and to not yet accepted amendment(s), will be deemed to be notification of acceptance by the Beneficiary of such amendment(s) and as of that moment the Credit will be amended.
  iv) Partial acceptance of amendments contained in one and the same advice of amendment is not allowed and consequently will not be given any effect.
 
Article 10. Types of Credit
a. All Credits must clearly indicate whether they are available by sight payment, by deferred payment, by acceptance or by negotiation.
b. i) Unless the Credit stipulates that it is available only with the Issuing Bank, all Credits must nominate the bank(the "Nominated Bank") which is authorised to pay, to incur a deferred payment undertaking, to accept Draft(s) or to negotiate. In a freely negotiabe Credit, any bank is a Nominated Bank Presentation of documents must be made to the Issuing Bank or the Confirming Bank, if any, or any other Nominated Bank. Negotiation means the giving of value for Draft(s) and/or document(s) by the bank authorised to negotiate. Mere examination of the documents without giving of value does not constitute a negotiation.
c. Unless the Nominated Bank is the Confirming Bank, nomination by the Issuing Bank does not constitute any undertaking by the Nominated Bank to pay, to incur a deferred payment undertaking, to accept Draft (s), or to negotiate. Except where expressly agreed to by the Nominated Bank and so communicated to the Beneficiary, the Nominated Bank's receipt of and/or examination and/or forwarding of the documents does not make that bank liable to pay, to incur a deferred payment undertaking, to accept Draft(s), or to negotiate.
d. By nominating another bank, or by allowing for negotiation by any bank, or by authorising or requesting another bank to add its confirmation, the Issuing Bank authorises such bank to pay, accept Draft(s) or negotiate as the case may be, against documents which appear on their face to be in compliance with the terms and conditions of the Credit and undertakes to reimburse such bank in accordance with the provisions of these Articles.
 
Article 11. Teletransmitted and Pre-Advised Credits
a. i) When an Issuing Bank instructs an Advising Bank by an authenticated teletransmission to advise a Credit or an amendment to a Credit, the teletransmission will be deemed to be the operative Credit instrument or the operative amendment, and no mail confirmation should be sent. Should a mail confirmation nevertheless be sent, it will have no effect and the Advising Bank will have no obligation to check such mail confirmation against the operative Credit instrument or the operative amendment received by teletransmission.
  ii) If the teletransmission states "full details to follow"(or words of similar effect) or states that the mail confirmation is to be the operative Credit instrument or the operative amendment, then the teletransmission will not be deemed to be the operative Credit instrument or the operative amendment. The Issuing Bank must forward the operative Credit instrument or the operative amendment to such Advising Bank without delay.
b. If a bank uses the services of an Advising Bank to have the Credit advised to the Beneficiary, it must also use the services of the same bank for advising an amendment(s)
c. A preliminary advice of the issuance or amendment of an irrevocable Credit(pre-advice), shall only be given by an Issuing Bank if such bank is prepared to issue-the operative Credit instrument or the operative amendment thereto. Unless otherwise stated in such preliminary advice by the Issuing Bank, an Issuing Bank having given such pre-advice shall be irrevocably committed to issue or amend the Credit, in terms not inconsistent with the pre-advice, without delay.
 
Article 12. Incomplete or Unclear Instructions
If incomplete or unclear instructions are received to advise, confirm of amend a Credit, the bank requested to act on such instructions may give preliminary notification to the Beneficiary for information only and without responsibility. This preliminary notification should state clearly that the notification is provided for information only and without the responsibility oif the Advising Bank. In any event, the Advising Bank must inform the Issuing Bank of the action taken and request it to provide the necessary informatioin.
The Issuing Bank must provide the necessary information without delay. The Credit will be advised, confirmed or amended, only when complete and clear instructions have been received and if the Advising Bank is then prepared to act on the instructions.
 
 
 
 
Article 13. Standard for Examination of Documents
a. Banks must examine all documents stipulated in the Credit with reasonable care, to ascertain whether or not they appear, on their face, to be in compliance with the terms and conditions of the Credit. Compliance of the stipulated documents on their face with the terms and conditions of the Credit, shall be determined by international standard banking practice as reflected in these Articles. Documents which appear on their face to be inconsistent with one another will be considered as not appearing on their face to be in compliance with the terms and conditions of the Credit.
Documents not stipulated in the Credit will not be examined by banks. If they receive such documents, they shall return them to the presenter or pass them on without responsibility.
b. The Issuing Bank, the Confirming Bank, if any, or a Nominated Bank acting on their behalf, shall each have a reasonable time, not to exceed seven banking days following the day of receipt of the documents, to examine the documents and determine whether to take up or refuse the documents and to inform the party from which it received the documents accordingly.
c. If a Credit contains conditions without stating the document(s) to be presented in compliance therewith, banks will deem such conditions as not stated and will disregard them.
 
Article 14. Discrepant Documents and Notice
a. When the Issuing Bank authorises another bank to pay, incur a deferred payment undertaking, accept Draft(s), or negotiate against documents which appear on their face to be in compliance with the terms and conditions of the Credit, the Issuing Bank and the Confirming Bank, if any, are bound:
  i) to reimburse the Nominated Bank which has paid, incurred a deferred payment undertaking, accepted Draft(s), or negotiated,
  ii) to take up the documents.
b. Upon receipt of the documents the Issuing Bank and/or Confirming Bank, if any, or a Nominated Bank acting on their behalf, must determine on the basis of the documents alone whether or not they appear on their face to be in compliance with the terms and conditions of the Credit. If the documents appear on their face not to be in compliance with the terms and conditions of the Credit, such banks may refuse to take up the documents.
c. If the Issuing Bank determines that the documents appear on their face not to be in compliance with the terms and conditions of the Credit, it may in its sole judgment approach the Applicant for a waiver of the discrepancy(ies). This does not, however, extend the period mentioned in sub-Article 13(b).
d. i) If the Issuing Bank and/or Confirming Bank, if any, or a Nominated Bank acting on their behalf, decides to refuse the documents, it must give notice to that effect by telecommunication or, if that is not possible, by other expeditious means, without delay but no later than the close of the seventh banking day following the day of receipt of the documents. Such notice shall be given to the bank from which it received the documents, or to the Beneficiary, if it received the documents directly from him.
  ii) Such notice must state all discrepancies in respect of which the bank refuses the documents and must also state whether it is holding the documents at the disposal of, or is returning them to, the presenter.
  iii) The Issuing Bank and/or Confirming Bank, if any, shall then be entitled to claim from the remitting bank refund, with interest, of any reimbursement which has been made to that bank.
e. If the Issuing Bank and/or Confirming Bank, if any, fails to act in accordance with the provisions of this Article and/or fails to hold the documents at the disposal of, or return them to the presenter, the Issuing Bank and/or Confirming Bank, if any, shall be precluded from claiming that the documents are not in compliance with the terms and conditions of the Credit.
f. If the remitting bank draws the attention of the Issuing and/or Confirming Bank, if any, to any discrepancy(ies) in the document(s) or advises such banks that it has paid, incurred a deferred payment undertaking, accepted Draft(s) or negotiated under reserve or against an indemnity in respect of such discrepancy(ies), the Issuing Bank and/or Confirming Bank, if any, shall not be therebu relieved from any of their obligations under any provision of this Article. Such reserve or indemnity concerns only the relations between the remitting bank and the party towards whom the reserve was made, or from whom, or on whose behalf, the indemnity was obtained.
 
Article 15. Disclaimer on Effectiveness of Documents
Banks assume no liability or responsibility for the form, sufficiency, accu racy, genuineness, falsification or legal effect of any document(s), or for the general and/or particular conditions stipulated in the document(s) or superimposed thereon; nor do they assume any liability or responsibility for the description, quantity, weight, quality, condition, packing, delivery, value or existence of the goods represented by any document(s), or for the good faith or acts and/or omissions, solvency, performance or standing of the consignors, the carriers, the forwarders, the consignees or the insurers of the goods, or any other person whomsover.
 
Article 16. Disclaimer on the Transmission of Messages
Banks assume no liability or responsibility for the consequences arising out of delay and/or loss in transit of any message(s), letter(s) or document(s), or for delay, multilation or other error(s) arising in the transmission of any telecommunication. Banks assume no liability or responsibility for errors in translation and/or interpretation of technical terms, and reserve the right to transmit Credit terms without translating them.
 
Article 17. Force Maieure
Banks assume no liability or responsibility for the consequences arising out of the interruption of their business by Acts of God, riots, civil commotions, insurrections, wars or any other causes beyond their control, or by any strikes or lockouts. Unless specifically authorised, banks will not, upon resumption of their business, pay, incur a deferred payment undertaking, accept Draft(s) or negotiate under Credits which expired during such interruption of their business.
 
Article 18. Disclaimer for Acts of in Instructed Party
a. Banks utilizing the services of another bank or other banks for the purpose of giving effect to the instructions of the Applicant do so for the account and at the risk of such Applicant.
b. Banks assume no liability or responsibility should the instructions they transmit not be carried out, even if they have themselves taken the initiative in the choice of such other bank(s),
c. i) A party instructing another party ot perform services is liable for any charges, including commissions, fees, costs or expenses incurred by the instructed party in connections with its instructions.
  ii) Where a Credit stipulates that such charges are for the account of a party other than the instructing party, and charges cannot be collected, the instructing party remains ultimately liable for the payment thereof.
d. The Applicant shall be bound by and liable to indemnify the banks against all obligations and responsibilities imposed by foreign laws and usuages.
 
Article 19. Bank-to-Bank Reimbursement Arrangementsl
a. If an Issuing Bank intends that the reimbursement to which a paying, accepting or negotiating bank is entitled, shall be obtained by such bank (the"Claiming Bank"), claiming on another party (the"Reimbursing Bank"), it shall provide such Reimbursing Bank in good time with the proper instructions or authorisation to honour such reimbursement claims.
b. Issuing Banks shall not require a Claiming Bank to supply a certificate of compliance with the terms and conditions of the Credit to the Reimbursing Bank.
c. An Issuing Bank shall not be relieved from any of its obligations to provide reimbursement if and when reimbursement is not received by the Claiming Bank from the Reimbursing Bank.
d. The Issuing Bank shall be responsible to the Claiming Bank for any loss of interest if reimbursement is not provided by the Reimbursing Bank on first demand, or as otherwise specified in the Credit, or mutually agreed, as the case may be.
e. The reimbursing Bank's charges should be for the account of the Issuing Bank. However, in cases where the charges are for the account of another party, it is the responsibility of the Issuing Banks to so indicate in the original Credit and in the reimbursement authorisation. In cases where the Reimbursing Bank's charges are for the account of another party they shall be collected from the Claiming Bank when the Credit is drawn under. In cases where the Credit is not drawn under, the Reimbursing Bank's charges remain the obligation of the Issuing Bank.
 
 
 
 
Article 20. Ambiguity as to the Issuers of Documents
a. Terms such as "first class," "well known," "qualified," "independent," "official," "competent," "local" and the like, shall not be used to describe the issuers of any document(s) to be presented under a Credit. If such terms are incorporated in the Credit, banks will accept the relative document(s) as presented, provided that it appears on its face to be in compliance with the other terms and conditions of the Credit and not to have been issued by the Beneficiary.
b. Unless otherwise stipulated in the Credit, banks will also accept as an original document(s), a document(s) produced or appearing to have been produced:
  i) by reprographic, automated or computerized systems;
  ii) as carbon copies;
     provided that it is marked as original and, where necessary, appears to be signed. A document may be signed by handwriting, by facsi mile signature, by perforated signature, by stamp, by symbol, or by any other mechanical or electronic method of authentication.
c. i) Unless otherwise stipulated in the Credit, banks will accept as a copy ties), a document(s) either labelled copy or not marked as an original-a copy(ies) need not be signed.
  ii) Credits that require multiple document(s) such as "duplicate," "two fold," "two copies" and the like, will be satisfied by the presentation of one original and the remaining number in copies except where the document itself indicates otherwise.
d. Unless otherwise stipulated in the Credit, a condition under a Credit calling for a document to be authenticated, validated, legalized, visaed, certified or indicating a similar requirement, will be satisfied by any signature, mark, stamp or label on such document that on its face appears to satisfy the above condition.
 
Article 21. Unspecified Issuers or Contents of Documents
When documents other than transport documents, insurance documents and commercial invoices are called for, the Credit should stipulate by whom such documents are to be issued and their wording or data content. If the Credit does not so stipulate, banks will accept such documents as presented, provided that their data content is not inconsistent with any other stipulated document presented.
 
Article 22. Issuance Date of Documents v. Credit Date
Unless otherwise stipulated in the Credit, banks will accept a document bearing a date of issuance prior to that of the Credit, subject to such document being presented within the time limits set out in the Credit and in these Articles.
 
Article 23. Marine/Ocean Bill of Lading
a. If a Credit calls for a bill of lading covering a port-to-port shipment, banks will, unless otherwise stipulated in the Credit, accept a document, however named, which:
  i) appears on its face to indicate the name of the carrier and to have been signed or otherwise authenticated by:
    - the carrier or a named agent for or on behalf of the carrier, or
    - the master or a named agent for or on behalf of the master.
Any signature or authentication of the carrier or master must be identified as carrier or master, as the case may be. An agent signing or authenticating for the carrier or master must also indicate the name and the capacity of the paryt, i.e. carrier or master, on whose behalf that agent is acting, and
  ii) indicates that the goods have been loaded on board, or shipped on a named vessel. Loading on board or shipment on a named vessel may be indicated by pre-printed wording on the bill of lading that the goods have been loaded on board a named vessel or shipped on a named vessel, in which case the date of issuance of the bill of lading will be deemed to be the date of loading on board and the date of shipment. In all other cases loading on board a named vessel must be evidenced by a notation on the bill of lading which gives the date on which the goods have been loaded on board, in which case the date of the on board notation will be deemed to be the date of shipment. If the bill of lading contains the indication "intended vessel," or similar qualification in relation to the vessel, loading on board a named vessel must be evidenced by an on board notation on the bill of lading which, in addition to the date on which the goods have been loaded on board, also includes the name of the vessel on which the goods have been loaded, even if they have been loaded on the vessel named as the "intended vessel". If the bill of lading indicates a place of receipt or taking in charge different from the port of loading, the on board notation must also include the port of loading stipulated in the Credit and the name of the vessel on which the goods have been loaded, even if they have been loaded on the vessel named in the bill of lading. This provision also applies whenever loading on board the vessel is indicated by pre-printed wording on the bill of lading, and
  iii) indicates the port of loading and the port of discharge stipulated in the credit, notwithstanding that it:
    (a) indicates a place of taking in charge different from the port of loading, and/or a place of final destination different from the port of discharge, and/or
    (b) contains the indication "intended" or similar qualification in relation to the port of loading and/or port of discharge, as long as the document also states the ports of loading and/or discharge stipulated in the Credit, and
  iv) consists of a sole original bill of lading, or if issued in more than one original, the full set as so issued, and
  v) appears to contain all of the terms and conditions of carriage, or some of such terms and conditions by reference to a source or document other than the bill of lading(short form/blank back bill of lading), banks will not examine the contents of such terms and conditions, and
  vi) contains no indication that it is subject to a charter party and/or no indication that the carrying vessel is propelled by sail only, and
  vii) in all other respects meets the stipulations of the Credit.
b. For the purpose of this Article, transhipment means unloading and reloading from one vessel to another vessel during the course of ocean carriage from the port of loading to the port of discharge stipulated in the Credit.
c. Unless transhipment is prohibited by the terms of the Credit, banks will accept a bill of lading which indicates that the goods will be transhipped, provided that the entire ocean carriage is covered by one and the same bill of lading.
d. Even if the Credit prohibits transhipment, banks will accept a bill of lading which:
  i) indicates that transhipment will take place as long as the relevant cargo is shipped in Container (s) , Trailer(s) and/or "LASH" barge (s) as evidenced by the bill of lading, provided that the entire ocean carriage is covered by one and the same bill of lading, and/or
  ii) incorporates clauses stating that the carrier reserves the right to tranship.
 
Article 24. Non-Negotiable Sea Waybill
a. If a Credit calls for a non-negotiable sea waybill covering a port-to-port shipment, banks will, unless otherwise stipulated in the Credit, accept a document, however named, which:
i) appears on its face to indicate the name of the carrier and to have been signed or otherwise authenticated by:
  - the carrier or a named agent for or on behalf of the carrier, or
  - the master or a named agent for or on behalf of the master.
Any signature or authentication of the carrier or master must be identified as carrier or master, as the case may be. An agent signing or authenticating for the carrier or master must also indicate the name and the capacity of the party, i.e. carrier or master, on whose behalf that agent is acting, and
  ii) indicates that the goods have been loaded on board, or shipped on a named vessel. Loading on board or shipment on a named vessel may be indicated by pre-printed wording on the non-negotiable sea waybill that the goods have been loaded on board a named vessel or shipped on a named vessel, in which case the date of issuance of the non-negotiable sea waybill will be deemed to be the date of loading on board and the date of shipment. In all other cases loading on board a named vessel must be evidenced by a notation on the non-negotiable sea way bill which gives the date on which the goods have been loaded on board, in which case the date of the on board notation will be deemed to be the date of shipment.
If the non-negotiable sea waybill contains the indication "intended vessel," or similar qualification in relation to the vessel, loading on board a named vessel must be evidenced by an on board notation on the non-negotiable sea waybill which, in addition to the date on which the goods have been loaded on board, includes the name of the vessel on which the goods have been loaded, even if they have been loaded on the vessel named as the "intended vessel." If the non-negotiable sea waybill indicates a place of receipt or taking in charge different from the port of loading, the on board notation must also include the port of loading stipulated in the Credit and the name of the vessel on which the goods have been loaded, even if they have been loaded on a vessel named in the non-negotiable sea waybill. This provision also applies whenever load, ing on board the vessel is indicated by pre-printed wording on the non-negotiable sea waybill, and
  iii) indicates the port of loading and the port of discharge stipulated in the Credit, notwithstanding that it:
    (a) indicates a place of taking in charge different from the port of loading, and/or a place of final destination different from the port discharge, and/or
    (b) contains the indication "intended" or similar qualification in relation to the port of loading and/or port of discharge, as long as the document also states the pot;ts of loading and/or discharge stipulated in the Credit, and
  iv) consists of a sole original non-negotiable sea waybill, or if issued in more than one original, the full set as so issued, and
  v) appears to contain all of the terms and conditions of carriage, or some of such terms and conditions by reference to a source or document other than the non-negotiablesea waybill(short forml blank back non-negotiable sea waybill); banks will not examine the contents of such terms and conditions, and
  vi) contains no indication that it is subject to a charter party and/or no indication that the carrying vessel is propelled by sail only, and
  vii) in all other respects meets the stipulations of the Credit.
b. For the purpose of this Article, transhipment means unloading and reloading from one vessel to another vessel during the course of ocean carriage from the port of loading to the port of discharge stipulated in the Credit.
c. Unless transhipment is prohibited by the terms of the Credit, banks will accept a non-negotiable sea waybill which indicates that the goods will be transhipped, provided that the entire ocean carriage is covered by one and the same non-negotiable sea waybill.
d. Even if the Credit prohibits transhipment, banks will accept a non-negotiable sea waybill which:
  i) indicates that transhipment will take place as long as the relevant cargo is shipped in Container (s) , Trailer (s) and/or "LASH" barge (s) as evidenced by the non-negotiable sea waybill, provided that the entire ocean carriage is covered by one and the same non-negotiable sea waybill, and/or
  ii) incorporates clauses stating that the carrier reserves the right to tranship.
 
Article 25. Charter Party Bill of Lading
a. If a Credit calls for or permits a charter party bill of lading, banks will, unless otherwise stipulated in the Credit, accept a document, however named, which:
  i) contains any indication that it is subject to a charter party, and
  ii) appears on its face to have been signed or otherwise authenticated by:
    - the master or a named agent for or on behalf of the master, or
    - the owner or a named agent for or on behalf of the owner.
Any signature or authentication of the master or owner must be identified as master or owner as the case may be. An agent signing or authenticating for the master or owner must also indicate the name and the capacity of the party, i.e. master or owner, on whose behalf that agent is acting, and
  iii) does or does not indicate the name of the carrier, and
  iv) indicates that the goods have been loaded on board or shipped on a named vessel. Loading on board or shipment on a named vessel may be indicated by pre-printed wording on the bill of lading that the goods have been loaded on board a named vessel or shipped on a named vessel, in which case the date of issuance of the bill of lading will be deemed to be the date of loading on board and the date of shipment.
In all other cases loading on board a named vessel must be evidenced by a notation on the bill of lading which gives the date on which the goods have been loaded on board, in which case the date of the on board notation will be deemed to be the date of shipment, and
  v) indicates the port of loading and the port of discharge stipulated in the Credit, and
  vi) consists of a sole original bill of lading or, if issued in more than one original, the full set as so issued, and
  vii) contains no indication that the carrying vessel is propelled by sail only, and
  viii) in all other respects meets the stipulations of the Credit.
b. Even if the Credit requires the presentation of a charter party contract in connection with a charter party bill of lading, banks will not examine such charter party contract, but will pass it on without responsibility on their part.
 
Article 26. Multimodal Transport Document
a. If a Credit calls for a transport document covering at least two different modes of transport(multimodal transport), banks will, unless otherwise stipulated in the Credit, accept a document, however named, which:
  i) appears on its face to indicate the name of the carrier or multimodal transport operator and to have been signed or otherwise authenticated by:
    - the carrier or multimodal transport operator or a named agent for or on behalf of the carrier or multimodal transport operator,
    - the master or a named agent for or on behalf of the master.
Any signature or authentication of the carrier, multimodal transport operator or master must be identified as carrier, multimodal transport operator or master, as the case may be. An agent signing or authenticating for the carrier, multimodal transport operator or master must also indicate the name and the capacity of the party, i.e. carrier, multimodal transport operator or master, on whose behalf that agent is acting, and
  ii) indicates that the goods have been dispatched, taken in charge or loaded on board. Dispatch, taking in charge or loading on board may be indicated by wording to that effect on the multimodal transport document and the date of issuance will be deemed to be the date of dispatch, taking in charge or loading on board and the date of shipment. However, if the document indicates, by stamp or otherwise, a date of dispatch, taking in charge or loading on board, such date will be deemed to be the date of shipment, and
  iii) (a) indicates the place of taking in charge stipulated in the Credit which may be different from the port, airport or place of loading, and the place of final destination stipulated in the Credit which may be different from the port, airport or place of discharge, and/or
    (b) contains the indication "intended" or similar qualification in relation to the vessel and/or port of loading and/or port of discharge, and
  iv) consists of a sole original multimodal transport document or, if issued in more than one original, the full set as so issued, and
  v) appears to contain all of the terms and conditions of carriage, or some of such terms and conditions by reference to a source or document other than the multimodal transport document(short form/blank back multimodal transport document); banks will not examine the contents of such terms and conditions, and
  vi) contains no indication that it is subject to a charter party and/or no indication that the carrying vessel is propelled by sail only, and
  vii) in all other respects meets the stipulations of the Credit.
b.Even if the Credit prohibits transhipment, banks will accept a multimodal transport document which indicates that transhipment will or may take place, provided that the entire carriage is covered by one and the same multimodal transport document.
 
Article 27. Air Transport Document
a. If a Credit calls for an air transport document, banks will, unless otherwise stipulated in the Credit, accept a document, however named, which:
  i) appears on its face to indicate the name of the carrier and to have been signed or otherwise authenticated by:
    - the carrier, or
    - a named agent for or on behalf of the carrier;
Any signature or authentication of the carrier must be identified as carrier. An agent signing or authenticating for the carrier must also indicate the name and the capacity of the party, i.e. carrier, on whose behalf that agent is acting, and
  ii) indicates that the goods have been accepted for carriage, and
  iii) where the Credit calls for an actual date of dispatch, indicates a specific notation of such date, the date of dispatch so indicated on the air transport document will be deemed to be the date of shipment.
For the purpose of this Article, the information appearing in the box on the air transport document(marked "For Carrier Use Only" or similar expression) relative to the flight number and date will not be considered as a specific notation of such date of dispatch. In all other cases, the date of issuance of the air transport document will be deemed to be the date of shipment, and
  iv) indicates the airport of departure and the airport of destination stipulated in the Credit, and
  v) appears to be the original for consignor/shipper even if the Credit stipulates a full set of originals, or similar expressions, and
  vi) appears to contain all of the terms and conditions of carriage, or some of such terms and conditons, by reference to a source or document other than the air transport document; banks will not examine the contents of such terms and conditions, and
  vii) in all other respects meets the stipulations of the Credit.
b. For the purpose of this Article, transhipment means unloading and reloading from one aircraft to another aircraft during the course of carriage from the airport of departure to the airport of destination stipulated in the Credit.
c. Even if the Credit prohibits transhipment, banks will accept an air transport document which indicates that transhipment will or may take place, provided that the entire carriage is covered by one and the same air transport document.
 
Article 28. Road, Rail or Inland Waterway Transport Documents
a. If a Credit calls for a road, rail, or inland waterway transport document, banks will, unless otherwise stipulated in the Credit, accept a document of the type called for, however named, which:
  i) appears on its face to indicate the name of the carrier and to have been signed or otherwise authenticated by the carrier or a named agent for or on behalf of the carrier and/or to bear a reception stamp or other indication of receipt by the carrier or a named agent for or on behalf of the carrier.
Any signature, authentication, reception stamp or other indication of receipt of the carrier, must be identified on its face as that of the carrier. An agent signing or authenticating for the carrier, must also indicate the name and the capacity of the party, i.e. carrier, on whose behalf that agent is acting, and
  ii) indicates that the goods have been received for shipment, dispatch or carriage or wording to this effect. The date of issuance will be deemed to be the date of shipment unless the transport document contains a reception stamp, in which case the date of the reception stamp will be deemed to be the date of shipment, and
  iii) indicates the place of shipment and the place of destination stipulated in the Credit, and
  iv) in all other respects meets the stipulations of the Credit.
b. In the absence of any indication on the transport document as to the numbers issued, banks will accept the transport document(s) presented as constituting a full set. Banks will accept as original(s) the transport document(s) whether marked as original(s) or not.
c. For the purpose of this Article, transhipment means unloading and reloading from one means of conveyance to another means of convey. ance, in different modes of transport, during the course of carriage from the place of shipment to the place of destination stipulated in the Credit.
d. Even if the Credit prohibits transhipment, banks will accept a road, rail, or inland waterway transport document which indicates that transhipment will or may take place, provided that the entire carriage is covered by one and the same transport document and within the same mode of transport.
 
Article 29. Courier and Post Receipts
a. If a Credit calls for a post receipt or certificate of posting, banks will, unless otherwise stipulated in the Credit, accept a post receipt or certificate of posting which:
  i) appears on its face to have been stamped or otherwise authenticated and dated in the place from which the Credit stipulates the goods are to be shipped or dispatched and such date will be deemed to be the date of shipment or dispatch, and
  ii) in all other respects meets the stipulations of the Credit.
b. If a Credit calls for a document issued by a courier or expedited delivery service evidencing receipt of the goods for delivery, banks will, unless otherwise stipulated in the Credit, accept a document, however named, which:
  i) appears on its face to indicate the name of the courier/service, and to have been stamped, signed or otherwise authenticated by such named courier/service (unless the Credit specifically calls for a document issued by a named Courier/Service, banks will accept a document issued by any Courier/Service), and
  ii) indicates a date of pick-up or of receipt or wording to this effect, such date being deemed to be the date of shipment or dispatch, and
  iii) in all other respects meets the stipulations of the Credit.
 
Article 30. Transport Documents issued by Freight Forwarders
Unless otherwise authorised in the Credit, banks will only accept a transport document issued by a freight forwarder if it appears on its face to indicate:
  i) the name of the freight forwarder as a carrier or multimodal transport operator and to have been signed or otherwise authenticated by the freight forwarder as carrier or multimodal transport operator, or
  ii) the name of the carrier or multimodal transport operator and to have been signed or otherwise authenticated by the freight forwarder as a named agent for or on behalf of the carrier or multimodal transport operator.
 
Articie 31. "On Deck,'""Shipper's Load and Count," Name of Consignor
Unless otherwise stipulated in the Credit, banks will accept a transport document which:
  i) does not indicate, in the case of carriage by sea or by more than one means of conveyance including carriage by sea, that the goods are or will be loaded on deck. Nevertheless, banks will accept a transport document which contains a provision that the goods may be carried on deck, provided that it does not specifically state that they are or will be loaded on deck, and/or
  ii) bears a clause on the face thereof such as "shipper's load and count" or "said by shipper to contain" or words of similar effect, and/or
  iii) indicates as the consignor of the goods a party other than the beneficiary of the Credit.
 
Article 32. Clean Transport Documents
a. A clean transport document is one which bears no clause or notation which expressly declares a defective condition of the goods and/or the packaging.
b. Banks will not accept transport documents bearing such clauses or notations unless the Credit expressly stipulates the clauses or notations which may be accepted.
c. Banks will regard a requirement in a Credit for a transport document to bear the clause "clean on board" as complied with if such transport document meets the requirements of this Article and of Articles 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 or 30.
 
Article 33. Freight Payable/Prepaid Transport Documents
a. Unless otherwise stipulated in the Credit, or inconsistent with any of the documents presented under the Credit, banks will accept transport documents stating that freight or transportaion charges(hereafter referred to as "freight") have still to be paid.
b. If a Credit stipulates that the transport document has to indicate that freight has been paid or prepaid, banks will accept a transport document on which words clearly indicating payment or prepayment of freight appear by stamp or otherwise, or on which payment or prepayment of freight is indicated by other means. If the Credit requires courier charges to be paid or prepaid banks will also accept a transport document issued by a courier or expedited delivery service evidencing that courier charges are for the account of a party other than the consignee.
c. The words "freight prepayable" or "freight to be prepaid" or words of similar effect, if appearing on transport documents, will not be accepted as constituting evidence of the payment of freight. d. Banks will accept transport documents bearing reference by stamp or otherwise to costs additional to the freight, such as costs of, or disbursements incurred in connection with, loading, unloading or similar operations, unless the conditions of the credit specifically prohibit such reference.
 
Article 34. Insurance Documents
a. Insurance documents must appear on their face to be issued and signed by insurance companies or underwriters or their agents.
b. If the insurance document indicates that it has been issued in more than one original, all the originals must be presented unless otherwise authorised in the Credit.
c. Cover notes issued by brokers will not be accepted, unless specifically authorised in the Credit. d. Unless otherwise stipulated in the Credit, banks will accept an insurance certificate or a declaration under an open cover pre-signed by insurance companies or underwriters or their agents. If a Credit specifically calls for an insurance certificate or a declaration under an open cover, banks will accept, in lieu thereof, an insurance policy.
e. Unless otherwise stipulated in the Credit, or unless it appears from the insurance document that the cover is effective at the latest from the date of loading on board or dispatch or taking in charge of the goods, banks will not accept an insurance document which bears a date of issuance later than the date of loading on board or dispatch or taking in charge as indicated in such transport document.
f. i) Unless otherwise stipulated in the Credit, the insurance document must be expressed in the same currency as the Credit.
  ii) Unless otherwise stipulated in the Credit, the minimum amount for which the insurance document must indicate the insurance cover to have been effected is the CIF(cost, insurance and freight("named port of destination")) or CIP(carriage and insurance paid to("named place of destination")) value of the goods, as the case may be, plus 10%, but only when the CIF or CIP value can be determined from the documents on their face. Otherwise, banks will accept as such minimum amount 110% of the amount for which payment, accep- tance or negotiation is requested under the Credit, or 110% of the gross amount of the invoice, whichever is the greater.
 
Article 35. Type of Insurance Cover
a. Credits should stipulate the type of insurance required and, if any, the additional risks which are to be covered. Imprecise terms such as "usual risks" or "customary risks" shall not be used, if they are used, banks will accept insurance documents as presented, without responsibility for any risks not being covered.
b. Failing specific stipulations in the Credit, banks will accept insurance documents as presented, without responsibility for any risks not being covered.
c. Unless otherwise stipulated in the Credit, banks will accept an insurance document which indicates that the cover is subject to a franchise or on excess (deductible).
 
Article 36. All Risks Insurance Cover
There a Credit stipulates "insurance against all risks", banks will accept an insurance document which contains any "all risks" notation or clause, whether or not bearing the heading "all risks", even if the insurance document indicates that certain risks are excluded, without responsibility for any risk(s) not being covered.
 
Article 37. Commercial Invoices
a. Unless otherwise stipulated in the Credit, commercial invoices;
  i) must appear on their face to be issued by the Beneficiary named in the Credit(except as provided in Article 48), and
  ii) must be made out in the name of the Applicant(except as provided in sub-Article 48(h)), and
  iii) need not be signed.
b. Unless otherwise stipulated in the Credit, banks may refuse commercial invoices issued for amounts in excess of the amount permitted by the Credit. Nevertheless, if a bank authorised to pay, incur a deferred payment undertaking, accept Draft(s), or negotiate under a Credit accepts such invoices, its decision will be binding upon all parties, provided that such bank has not paid, incurred a deferred payment undertaking, accepted Draft(s) or negotiated for an amount in excess of that permitted by the Credit.
c. The description of the goods in the commercial invoice must correspond with the description in the Credit. In all other documents, the goods may be described in general terms not inconsistent with the description of the goods in the Credit.
 
Article 38. Other Documents
If a Credit calls for an attestation or certification of weight in the case of transport other than by sea, bank will accept a weight stamp or declaration of weight which appears to have been superimposed on the transport document by the carrier or his agent unless the Credit specifically stipulates that the attestation or certification of weight must be by means of a separate document.
 
 
 
 
Article 39. Allowances in Credit Amount, Quantity and Unit Price
a. The words "about," "approximately," "circa" or similar expressions used in connection with the amount of the Credit or the quantity or the unit price stated in the Credit are to be construed as allowing a difference not to exceed 10% more or 10% less than the amount or the quantity or the unit price to which they refer.
b. Unless a Credit stipulates that the quantity of the goods specified must not be exceeded or reduced, a tolerance of 5% more or 5% less will be permissible, always provided that the amount of the drawings does not exceed the amount of the Credit. This tolerance does not apply when the Credit stipulates the quantity in terms of a stated number of packing units or individual items.
c. Unless a Credit which prohibits partial shipments stipulates otherwise, or unless sub-Article(b) above is applicable, a tolerance of 5% less in the amount of the drawing will be permissible, provided that if the Credit stipulates the quantity of the goods, such quantity of goods is shipped in full, and if the Credit stipulates a unit price, such price is not reduced. This provision does not apply when expressions referred to in sub-Article(a) above are used in the Credit.
 
Article 40. Partial Shipments/Drawings
a. Partial drawings and/or shipments are allowed, unless the Credit stipulates otherwise.
b. Transpart documents which appear on their face to indicate that shipment has been made on the same means of conveyance and for the same journey, provided they indicate the same destination, will not be regard. ed as covering partial shipments, even if the transport documents indicate different dates of shipment and/or different ports of loading, places of taking in charge, or despatch.
c. Shipments made by post or by courier will not be regarded as partial shipments if the post receipts or certificates of posting or courier's receipts or dispatch notes appear to have been stamped, signed or otherwise authenticated in the place from which the Credit stipulates the goods are to be dispatched, and on the same date.
 
Article 41. Instalment Shipments/Drawings
If drawings and/or shipments by instalments within given periods are stipulated in the Credit and any instalment is not drawn and/or shipped within the period allowed for that instalment, the Credit ceases to be available for that and any subsequent instalments, unless otherwise stipulated in the Credit.
 
Article 42. Expiry Date and Place for Presentation of Documents
a. All Credits must stipulate an expiry date and a place for presentation of documents for payment, acceptance, or with the exception of freely negotiable Credits, a place for presentation of documents for negotia tion. An expiry date stipulated for payment, acceptance or negotiation will be construed to express an expiry date for presentation of documents.
b. Except as provided in sub-Article 44(a), documents must be presented on or before such expiry date.
c. If an Issuing Bank states that the Credit is to be available "for one month," "for six months," or the like, but does not specify the date from which the time is to run, the date of issuance of the Credit by the Issuing Bank will be deemed to be the first day from which such time is to run. Banks should discourage indication of the expiry date of the Credit in this manner.
 
Article 43. Limitation on the Expiry Date
a. In addition to stipulating an expiry date for presentation of documents, every Credit which calls for a transport document(s) should also stipulate a specified period of time after the date of shipment during which presentation must be made in compliance with the terms and conditions of the Credit. Tf no such period of time is stipulated, banks will not accept documents presented to them later than 21 days after the date of shipment. In any event, documents must be presented not later than the expiry date of the Credit.
b. In cases in which sub-Article 40(b) applies, the date of shipment will be considered to be the latest shipment date on any of the transport documents presented.
 
Article 44. Extension of Expiry Date
a. If the expiry date of the Credit and/or the last day of the period of time for presentation of documents stipulated by the Credit or applicable by virtue of Article 43 falls on a day on which the bank to which presentation has to be made is closed for reasons other than those referred to in Article 17, the stipulated expiry date and/or the last day of the period of time after the date of shipment for presentation of documents, as the case may be, shall be extended to the first following day on which such bank is open.
b. The latest date for shipment shall not be extended by reason of the extension of the expiry date and/or the period of time after the date of shipment for presentation of documents in accordance with sub-Article (a) above. If no such latest date for shipment is stipulated in the Cred