Export-Import Information

2011
INFORMATION ON EXPORT-IMPORT
Suresh chaudhary
GOKUL REFOILS &
SOLVENT LTD.
GANDHIDHAM
2/16/2011
EXPORT-IMPORT INFORMATION
INDEX
Sr. no Particulars Page no
1. Payment Methods in Export Import Trade. 3
2. Payments collection methods in Export Import 5
International Trade.
3. Letter of Credit (L/c) Documentary Collection. 9
4. Export Finance and Documentation. 20
5. Export Pre Shipment Finance. 26
6. Export Post Shipment Finance. 32
7. Forfeiting and Factoring. 35
8. Export Bank Guarantees. 38
9. Export International Trade Transport Risk. 41
10. Credit Risk in Export Business. 44
11. Country Political Risk in Export. 47
12. Currency Risk in Export International Trade. 50
13. Export Import (Exim) Policy Benefits for Export 54
Business.
14. Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) for Export 58
Import Foreign Exchange.
15. FEDAI Guidelines for Foreign Exchange. 60
GOKUL REFOILS & SOLVENT LTD, GANDHIDHAM Suresh Chaudhary 2

Payment Methods in Export Import Trade.

There are 3 standard ways of payment methods in the export import trade international trade
market:
1. Clean Payment
2. Collection of Bills
3. Letters of Credit L/c
1. Clean Payments
In clean payment method, all shipping documents, including title documents are handled directly
between the trading partners. The role of banks is limited to clearing amounts as required. Clean
payment method offers a relatively cheap and uncomplicated method of payment for both
importers and exporters.
There are basically two type of clean payments:
Advance Payment
In advance payment method the exporter is trusted to ship the goods after receiving payment
from the importer.
Open Account
In open account method the importer is trusted to pay the exporter after receipt of goods.
The main drawback of open account method is that exporter assumes all the risks while the
importer get the advantage over the delay use of company's cash resources and is also not
responsible for the risk associated with goods.
2. Payment Collection of Bills in International Trade
The Payment Collection of Bills also called “Uniform Rules for Collections” is published by
International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) under the document number 522 (URC522) and is
followed by more than 90% of the world's banks.
In this method of payment in international trade the exporter entrusts the handling of commercial
and often financial documents to banks and gives the banks necessary instructions concerning
the release of these documents to the Importer. It is considered to be one of the cost effective
methods of evidencing a transaction for buyers, where documents are manipulated via the
banking system.
There are two methods of collections of bill :

Documents Against Payment D/P
In this case documents are released to the importer only when the payment has been done.
Documents Against Acceptance D/A
In this case documents are released to the importer only against acceptance of a draft.
3. Letter of Credit L/c
Letter of Credit also known as Documentary Credit is a written undertaking by the importers
bank known as the issuing bank on behalf of its customer, the importer (applicant), promising to
effect payment in favor of the exporter (beneficiary) up to a stated sum of money, within a
prescribed time limit and against stipulated documents. It is published by the International
Chamber of Commerce under the provision of Uniform Custom and Practices (UCP) brochure
number 500.
Various types of L/Cs are :
Revocable & Irrevocable Letter of Credit (L/c)
A Revocable Letter of Credit can be cancelled without the consent of the exporter.
An Irrevocable Letter of Credit cannot be cancelled or amended without the consent of all parties
including the exporter.
Sight & Time Letter of Credit
If payment is to be made at the time of presenting the document then it is referred as the Sight
Letter of Credit. In this case banks are allowed to take the necessary time required to check the
documents.
If payment is to be made after the lapse of a particular time period as stated in the draft then it is
referred as the Term Letter of Credit.
Confirmed Letter of Credit (L/c)
Under a Confirmed Letter of Credit, a bank, called the Confirming Bank, adds its commitment to
that of the issuing bank. By adding its commitment, the Confirming Bank takes the responsibility
of claim under the letter of credit, assuming all terms and conditions of the letter of credit are
met.

Payments collection methods in Export Import International

Trade.
Introduction
Payment Collection Against Bills also known documentary collection as is a payment method
used in international trade all over the world by the exporter for the handling of documents to the
buyer's bank and also gives the banks necessary instructions indicating when and on what
conditions these documents can be released to the importer.
Collection Against Bills is published by International Chambers of Commerce (ICC), Paris,

France. The last updated issue of its rule was published on January 1, 1966 and is know as the
URC 522.
It is different from the letters of credit, in the sense that the bank only acts as a medium for the
transfer of documents but does not make any payment guarantee. However, collection of
documents are subjected to the Uniform Rules for Collections published by the International
Chamber of Commerce (ICC).
Role of Various Parties

Exporter
The seller ships the goods and then hands over the document related to the goods to their banks
with the instruction on how and when the buyer would pay.
Exporter's Bank
The exporter's bank is known as the remitting bank , and they remit the bill for collection with
proper instructions. The role of the remitting bank is to :
 Check that the documents for consistency.

 Send the documents to a bank in the buyer's country with instructions on collecting
payment.
 Pay the exporter when it receives payments from the collecting bank.
Buyer/Importer
The buyer / importer is the drawee of the Bill.

The role of the importer is to :
 Pay the bill as mention in the agreement (or promise to pay later).
 Take the shipping documents (unless it is a clean bill) and clear the goods.

Importer's Bank
This is a bank in the importer's country : usually a branch or correspondent bank of the remitting
bank but any other bank can also be used on the request of exporter.
The collecting bank act as the remitting bank's agent and clearly follows the instructions on the
remitting bank's covering schedule. However the collecting bank does not guarantee payment of
the bills except in very unusual circumstance for undoubted customer , which is called availing.
Importer's bank is known as the collecting / presenting bank. The role of the collecting banks is
to :
 Act as the remitting bank's agent

 Present the bill to the buyer for payment or acceptance.
 Release the documents to the buyer when the exporter's instructions have been followed.
 Remit the proceeds of the bill according to the Remitting Bank's schedule instructions.
If the bill is unpaid / unaccepted, the collecting bank :
 May arrange storage and insurance for the goods as per remitting bank instructions on the
schedule.
 Protests on behalf of the remitting bank (if the Remitting Bank's schedule states Protest)
 Requests further instruction from the remitting bank, if there is a problem that is not
covered by the instructions in the schedule.
 Once payment is received from the importer, the collecting bank remits the proceeds
promptly to the remitting bank less its charges.
Documents Against Payments (D/P)
This is sometimes also referred as Cash against Documents/Cash on Delivery. In effect D/P
means payable at sight (on demand). The collecting bank hands over the shipping documents
including the document of title (bill of lading) only when the importer has paid the bill. The
drawee is usually expected to pay within 3 working days of presentation. The attached
instructions to the shipping documents would show "Release Documents Against Payment"
Risks :
Under D/P terms the exporter keeps control of the goods (through the banks) until the importer
pays. If the importer refuses to pay, the exporter can:
 Protest the bill and take him to court (may be expensive and difficult to control from
another country).
 Find another buyer or arrange a sale by an auction.
With the last two choices, the price obtained may be lower but probably still better than shipping
the goods back, sometimes, the exporter will have a contact or agent in the importer's country
that can help with any arrangements. In such a situation, an agent is often referred to as a

CaseofNeed, means someone who can be contacted in case of need by the collecting bank.
If the importers refuses to pay, the collecting bank can act on the exporter's instructions shown in
the Remitting Bank schedule. These instructions may include:
 Removal of the goods from the port to a warehouse and insure them.
 Contact the case of need who may negotiate with the importer.
 Protesting the bill through the bank's lawyer.
Docuemts Against Aceptance (D/A)
Under Documents Against Acceptance, the Exporter allows credit to Importer, the period of
credit is referred to as Usance, The importer/ drawee is required to accept the bill to make a
signed promise to pay the bill at a set date in the future. When he has signed the bill in
acceptance, he can take the documents and clear his goods.
The payment date is calculated from the term of the bill, which is usually a multiple of 30 days
and start either from sight or form the date of shipment, whichever is stated on the bill of
exchange. The attached instruction would show "Release Documents Against Acceptance".
Risk
Under D/A terms the importer can inspect the documents and , if he is satisfied, accept the bill
for payment o the due date, take the documents and clear the goods; the exporter loses control of
them.
The exporter runs various risk. The importer might refuse to pay on the due date because :
 He finds that the goods are not what he ordered.

 He has not been able to sell the goods.
 He is prepared to cheat the exporter (In cases the exporter can protest the bill and take the
importer to court but this can be expensive).
 The importer might have gone bankrupt, in which case the exporter will probably never
get his money.
Usance D/P Bills
A Usance D/P Bill is an agreement where the buyer accepts the bill payable at a specified date in
future but does not receive the documents until he has actually paid for them. The reason is that
airmailed documents may arrive much earlier than the goods shipped by sea.
The buyer is not responsible to pay the bill before its due date, but he may want to do so, if the
ship arrives before that date. This mode of payments is less usual, but offers more settlement
possibility.
These are still D/P terms so there is no extra risk to the exporter or his bank. As an alternative the
covering scheduled may simply allow acceptance or payments to be deferred awaiting arrival of
carrying vessel.

There are different types of usance D/P bills, some of which do not require acceptance specially
those drawn payable at a fix period after date or drawn payable at a fixed date.
Bills requiring acceptance are those drawn at a fix period after sight, which is necessary to
establish the maturity date. If there are problems regarding storage of goods under a usance D/P
bill, the collecting bank should notify the remitting bank without delay for instructions.
However, it should be noted that it is not necessary for the collecting bank to follow each and
every instructions given by the Remitting Banks.

Letter of Credit(L/c) Documentary Collection.

Introduction
Letter of Credit L/c also known as Documentary Credit is a widely used term to make payment
secure in domestic and international trade. The document is issued by a financial organization at
the buyer request. Buyer also provide the necessary instructions in preparing the document.
The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) in the Uniform Custom and Practice for
Documentary Credit (UCPDC) defines L/C as:
"An 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 :
1. Is to make a payment to or to the order third party ( the beneficiary ) or is to accept bills
of exchange (drafts) drawn by the beneficiary.
2. Authorised another bank to effect such payments or to accept and pay such bills of
exchange (draft).
3. Authorised another bank to negotiate against stipulated documents provided that the
terms are complied with.
A key principle underlying letter of credit (L/C) is that banks deal only in documents and not in
goods. The decision to pay under a letter of credit will be based entirely on whether the
documents presented to the bank appear on their face to be in accordance with the terms and
conditions of the letter of credit.
Parties to Letters of Credit
 Applicant (Opener): Applicant which is also referred to as account party is normally a

buyer or customer of the goods, who has to make payment to beneficiary. LC is initiated
and issued at his request and on the basis of his instructions.
 Issuing Bank (Opening Bank) : The issuing bank is the one which create a letter of
credit and takes the responsibility to make the payments on receipt of the documents from
the beneficiary or through their banker. The payments has to be made to the beneficiary
within seven working days from the date of receipt of documents at their end, provided
the documents are in accordance with the terms and conditions of the letter of credit. If
the documents are discrepant one, the rejection thereof to be communicated within seven
working days from the date of of receipt of documents at their end.
 Beneficiary : Beneficiary is normally stands for a seller of the goods, who has to receive
payment from the applicant. A credit is issued in his favour to enable him or his agent to
obtain payment on surrender of stipulated document and comply with the term and
conditions of the L/c.

If L/c is a transferable one and he transfers the credit to another party, then he is referred
to as the first or original beneficiary.
 Advising Bank : An Advising Bank provides advice to the beneficiary and takes the
responsibility for sending the documents to the issuing bank and is normally located in
the country of the beneficiary.
 Confirming Bank : Confirming bank adds its guarantee to the credit opened by another
bank, thereby undertaking the responsibility of payment/negotiation acceptance under the
credit, in additional to that of the issuing bank. Confirming bank play an important role
where the exporter is not satisfied with the undertaking of only the issuing bank.
 Negotiating Bank: The Negotiating Bank is the bank who negotiates the documents
submitted to them by the beneficiary under the credit either advised through them or
restricted to them for negotiation. On negotiation of the documents they will claim the
reimbursement under the credit and makes the payment to the beneficiary provided the
documents submitted are in accordance with the terms and conditions of the letters of
credit.
 Reimbursing Bank : Reimbursing Bank is the bank authorized to honor the

reimbursement claim in settlement of negotiation/acceptance/payment lodged with it by
the negotiating bank. It is normally the bank with which issuing bank has an account
from which payment has to be made.
 Second Beneficiary : Second Beneficiary is the person who represent the first or original
Beneficiary of credit in his absence. In this case, the credits belonging to the original
beneficiary is transferable. The rights of the transferee are subject to terms of transfer.
Types of Letter of Credit

1. Revocable Letter of Credit L/c
A revocable letter of credit may be revoked or modified for any reason, at any time by the
issuing bank without notification. It is rarely used in international trade and not considered
satisfactory for the exporters but has an advantage over that of the importers and the issuing
bank.
There is no provision for confirming revocable credits as per terms of UCPDC, Hence they
cannot be confirmed. It should be indicated in LC that the credit is revocable. if there is no such
indication the credit will be deemed as irrevocable.
2. Irrevocable Letter of CreditL/c
In this case it is not possible to revoked or amended a credit without the agreement of the issuing
bank, the confirming bank, and the beneficiary. Form an exporters point of view it is believed to
be more beneficial. An irrevocable letter of credit from the issuing bank insures the beneficiary
that if the required documents are presented and the terms and conditions are complied with,
payment will be made.

3. Confirmed Letter of Credit L/c
Confirmed Letter of Credit is a special type of L/c in which another bank apart from the issuing
bank has added its guarantee. Although, the cost of confirming by two banks makes it costlier,
this type of L/c is more beneficial for the beneficiary as it doubles the guarantee.
4. Sight Credit and Usance Credit L/c
Sight credit states that the payments would be made by the issuing bank at sight, on demand or
on presentation. In case of usance credit, draft are drawn on the issuing bank or the
correspondent bank at specified usance period. The credit will indicate whether the usance draft
are to be drawn on the issuing bank or in the case of confirmed credit on the confirming bank.
5. Back to Back Letter of Credit L/c
Back to Back Letter of Credit is also termed as Countervailing Credit. A credit is known as
backtoback credit when a L/c is opened with security of another L/c.
A backtoback credit which can also be referred as credit and countercredit is actually a method
of financing both sides of a transaction in which a middleman buys goods from one customer and
sells them to another.
The parties to a BacktoBack Letter of Credit are:

1. The buyer and his bank as the issuer of the original Letter of Credit.
2. The seller/manufacturer and his bank,
3. The manufacturer's subcontractor and his bank.
The practical use of this Credit is seen when L/c is opened by the ultimate buyer in favour of a
particular beneficiary, who may not be the actual supplier/ manufacturer offering the main credit
with near identical terms in favour as security and will be able to obtain reimbursement by
presenting the documents received under back to back credit under the main L/c.
The need for such credits arise mainly when :
1. The ultimate buyer not ready for a transferable credit

2. The Beneficiary do not want to disclose the source of supply to the openers.
3. The manufacturer demands on payment against documents for goods but the beneficiary
of credit is short of the funds
6. Transferable Letter of Credit L/c
A transferable documentary credit is a type of credit under which the first beneficiary which is
usually a middleman may request the nominated bank to transfer credit in whole or in part to the
second beneficiary.
The L/c does state clearly mentions the margins of the first beneficiary and unless it is specified
the L/c cannot be treated as transferable. It can only be used when the company is selling the

product of a third party and the proper care has to be taken about the exit policy for the money
transactions that take place.
This type of L/c is used in the companies that act as a middle man during the transaction but
don’t have large limit. In the transferable L/c there is a right to substitute the invoice and the
whole value can be transferred to a second beneficiary.
The first beneficiary or middleman has rights to change the following terms and conditions of the
letter of credit:
1. Reduce the amount of the credit.

2. Reduce unit price if it is stated
3. Make shorter the expiry date of the letter of credit.
4. Make shorter the last date for presentation of documents.
5. Make shorter the period for shipment of goods.
6. Increase the amount of the cover or percentage for which insurance cover must be
effected.
7. Substitute the name of the applicant (the middleman) for that of the first beneficiary (the
buyer).
Standby Letter of Credit L/c
Initially used by the banks in the United States, the standby letter of credit is very much similar
in nature to a bank guarantee. The main objective of issuing such a credit is to secure bank
loans. Standby credits are usually issued by the applicant’s bank in the applicant’s country and
advised to the beneficiary by a bank in the beneficiary’s country.
Unlike a traditional letter of credit where the beneficiary obtains payment against documents
evidencing performance, the standby letter of credit allow a beneficiary to obtains payment from
a bank even when the applicant for the credit has failed to perform as per bond.
A standby letter of credit is subject to "Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credit"
(UCP), International Chamber of Commerce Publication No 500, 1993 Revision, or
"International Standby Practices" (ISP), International Chamber of Commerce Publication No
590, 1998.
Import Operations Under L/c
The Import Letter of Credit guarantees an exporter payment for goods or services, provided the
terms of the letter of credit have been met.
A bank issue an import letter of credit on the behalf of an importer or buyer under the following
Circumstances
 When a importer is importing goods within its own country.

 When a trader is buying good from his own country and sell it to the another country for
the purpose of merchandizing trade.

 When an Indian exporter who is executing a contract outside his own country requires
importing goods from a third country to the country where he is executing the contract.
The first category of the most common in the day to day banking
Fees And Reimbursements
The different charges/fees payable under import L/c is briefly as follows
1. The issuing bank charges the applicant fees for opening the letter of credit. The fee charged
depends on the credit of the applicant, and primarily comprises of :
(a) Opening Charges This would comprise commitment charges and usance charged to be
charged upfront for the period of the L/c.
The fee charged by the L/c opening bank during the commitment period is referred to as
commitment fees. Commitment period is the period from the opening of the letter of credit until
the last date of negotiation of documents under the L/c or the expiry of the L/c, whichever is
later.
Usance is the credit period agreed between the buyer and the seller under the letter of credit. This
may vary from 7 days usance (sight) to 90/180 days. The fee charged by bank for the usance
period is referred to as usance charges
(b)Retirement Charges
1. This would be payable at the time of retirement of LCs. LC opening bank scrutinizes the bills
under the LCs according to UCPDC guidelines , and levies charges based on value of goods.
2. The advising bank charges an advising fee to the beneficiary unless stated otherwise The fees
could vary depending on the country of the beneficiary. The advising bank charges may be
eventually borne by the issuing bank or reimbursed from the applicant.
3. The applicant is bounded and liable to indemnify banks against all obligations and
responsibilities imposed by foreign laws and usage.
4. The confirming bank's fee depends on the credit of the issuing bank and would be borne by the
beneficiary or the issuing bank (applicant eventually) depending on the terms of contract.
5. The reimbursing bank charges are to the account of the issuing bank.
Risk Associated with Opening Imports L/cs
The basic risk associated with an issuing bank while opening an import L/c are :

1. The financial standing of the importer

As the bank is responsible to pay the money on the behalf of the importer, thereby the
bank should make sure that it has the proper funds to pay.
2. The goods
Bankers need to do a detail analysis against the risks associated with perishability of the
goods, possible obsolescence, import regulations packing and storage, etc. Price risk is
the another crucial factor associated with all modes of international trade.
3. Exporter Risk
There is always the risk of exporting inferior quality goods. Banks need to be protective
by finding out as much possible about the exporter using status report and other
confidential information.
4. Country Risk
These types of risks are mainly associated with the political and economic scenario of a
country. To solve this issue, most banks have specialized unit which control the level of
exposure that that the bank will assumes for each country.
5. Foreign exchange risk
Foreign exchange risk is another most sensitive risk associated with the banks. As the
transaction is done in foreign currency, the traders depend a lot on exchange rate
fluctuations.
Export Operations Under L/c
Export Letter of Credit is issued in for a trader for his native country for the purchase of goods
and services. Such letters of credit may be received for following purpose:
1. For physical export of goods and services from India to a Foreign Country.
2. For execution of projects outside India by Indian exporters by supply of goods and
services from Indian or partly from India and partly from outside India.
3. Towards deemed exports where there is no physical movements of goods from outside
India But the supplies are being made to a project financed in foreign exchange by
multilateral agencies, organization or project being executed in India with the aid of
external agencies.
4. For sale of goods by Indian exporters with total procurement and supply from outside
India. In all the above cases there would be earning of Foreign Exchange or conservation
of Foreign Exchange.
Banks in India associated themselves with the export letters of credit in various capacities such
as advising bank, confirming bank, transferring bank and reimbursing bank.
In every cases the bank will be rendering services not only to the Issuing Bank as its agent
correspondent bank but also to the exporter in advising and financing his export activity.
1. Advising an Export L/c

The basic responsibility of an advising bank is to advise the credit received from its
overseas branch after checking the apparent genuineness of the credit recognized by the
issuing bank.

It is also necessary for the advising bank to go through the letter of credit, try to
understand the underlying transaction, terms and conditions of the credit and advice the
beneficiary in the matter.
The main features of advising export LCs are:
1. There are no credit risks as the bank receives a onetime commission for the advising
service.
2. There are no capital adequacy needs for the advising function.
2. Advising of Amendments to L/Cs

Amendment of LCs is done for various reasons and it is necessary to fallow all the
necessary the procedures outlined for advising. In the process of advising the
amendments the Issuing bank serializes the amendment number and also ensures that no
previous amendment is missing from the list. Only on receipt of satisfactory information/
clarification the amendment may be advised.
3. Confirmation of Export Letters of Credit

It constitutes a definite undertaking of the confirming bank, in addition to that of the
issuing bank, which undertakes the sight payment, deferred payment, acceptance or
negotiation.
Banks in India have the facility of covering the credit confirmation risks with ECGC
under their “Transfer Guarantee” scheme and include both the commercial and political
risk involved.
4. Discounting/Negotiation of Export LCs
When the exporter requires funds before due date then he can discount or negotiate the
LCs with the negotiating bank. Once the issuing bank nominates the negotiating bank, it
can take the credit risk on the issuing bank or confirming bank.
However, in such a situation, the negotiating bank bears the risk associated with the
document that sometimes arises when the issuing bank discover discrepancies in the
documents and refuses to honor its commitment on the due date.
5. Reimbursement of Export LCs

Sometimes reimbursing bank, on the recommendation of issuing bank allows the
negotiating bank to collect the money from the reimbursing bank once the goods have
been shipped. It is quite similar to a cheque facility provided by a bank.
In return, the reimbursement bank earns a commission per transaction and enjoys float
income without getting involve in the checking the transaction documents.
reimbursement bank play an important role in payment on the due date ( for usance LCs)
or the days on which the negotiating bank demands the same (for sight LCs)

Regulatory Requirements
Opening of imports LCs in India involve compliance of the following main regulation:
Trade Control Requirements
The movement of good in India is guided by a predefined se of rules and regulation. So, the
banker needs to assure that make certain is whether the goods concerned can be physically
brought in to India or not as per the current EXIM policy.
Exchange Control Requirements
The main objective of a bank to open an Import LC is to effect settlement of payment due by the
Indian importer to the overseas supplier, so opening of LC automatically comes under the
policies of exchange control regulations.
UCPDC Guidelines
Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credit (UCPDC) is a set of predefined rules
established by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) on Letters of Credit. The UCPDC
is used by bankers and commercial parties in more than 200 countries including India to
facilitate trade and payment through LC.
UCPDC was first published in 1933 and subsequently updating it throughout the years. In 1994,
UCPDC 500 was released with only 7 chapters containing in all 49 articles .
The latest revision was approved by the Banking Commission of the ICC at its meeting in Paris
on 25 October 2006. This latest version, called the UCPDC600, formally commenced on 1 July
2007. It contain a total of about 39 articles covering the following areas, which can be classified
as 8 sections according to their functions and operational procedures.
Serial No. Article Area Consisting
Application, Definition and

1. 1 to 3 General
Interpretations
Credit vs. Contracts, Documents

2. 4 to 12 Obligations
vs. Goods
Reimbursement, Examination of
Liabilities and Documents, Complying,
3. 13 to 16
responsibilities. Presentation, Handling
Discrepant Documents
Bill of Lading, Chapter Party Bill of

4. 17 to 28 Documents Lading, Air Documents, Road Rail
etc. Documents, Courier , Postal etc.

Receipt. On board, Shippers' count,

Clean Documents, Insurance documents
Extension of dates, Tolerance in

Miscellaneous
5. 29 to 33 Credits, Partial Shipment and
Provisions
Drawings. House of Presentation
Effectiveness of Document
Transmission and Translation
6 34 to 37 Disclaimer
Force Majeure
Acts of an Instructed Party
Transferable Credits
7 38 & 39 Others
Assignment of Proceeds
ISBP 2002
The widely acclaimed International Standard Banking Practice(ISBP) for the Examination of
Documents under Documentary Credits was selected in 2007 by the ICCs Banking Commission.
First introduced in 2002, the ISBP contains a list of guidelines that an examiner needs to check
the documents presented under the Letter of Credit. Its main objective is to reduce the number of
documentary credits rejected by banks.
FEDAI Guidelines
Foreign Exchange Dealer's Association of India (FEDAI) was established in 1958 under the
Section 25 of the Companies Act (1956). It is an association of banks that deals in Indian foreign
exchange and work in coordination with the Reserve Bank of India, other organizations like
FIMMDA, the Forex Association of India and various market participants.
FEDAI has issued rules for import LCs which is one of the important area of foreign currency
exchanges. It has an advantage over that of the authorized dealers who are now allowed by the
RBI to issue stand by letter of credits towards import of goods.
As the issuance of stand by of letter of Credit including imports of goods is susceptible to some
risk in the absence of evidence of shipment, therefore the importer should be advised that
documentary credit under UCP 500/600 should be the preferred route for importers of goods.
Below mention are some of the necessary precaution that should be taken by authorised dealers
While issuing a stands by letter of credits:
1. The facility of issuing Commercial Standby shall be extended on a selective basis and to
the following category of importers
1. Where such standby are required by applicant who are independent power
producers/importers of crude oil and petroleum products

2. Special category of importers namely export houses, trading houses, star trading
houses, super star trading houses or 100% Export Oriented Units.
2. Satisfactory credit report on the overseas supplier should be obtained by the issuing
banks before issuing Stands by Letter of Credit.
3. Invocation of the Commercial standby by the beneficiary is to be supported by proper
evidence. The beneficiary of the Credit should furnish a declaration to the effect that the
claim is made on account of failure of the importers to abide by his contractual obligation
along with the following documents.
1. A copy of invoice.
2. Nonnegotiable set of documents including a copy of non negotiable bill of
lading/transport document.
3. A copy of Lloyds /SGS inspection certificate wherever provided for as per the
underlying contract.
4. Incorporation of a suitable clauses to the effect that in the event of such invoice /shipping
documents has been paid by the authorised dealers earlier, Provisions to dishonor the
claim quoting the date / manner of earlier payments of such documents may be
considered.
5. The applicant of a commercial stand by letter of credit shall undertake to provide
evidence of imports in respect of all payments made under standby. (Bill of Entry)
Fixing limits for Commercial Stand by Letter of Credit L/c
1. Banks must assess the credit risk in relation to stand by letter of credit and explain to the
importer about the inherent risk in stand by covering import of goods.
2. Discretionary powers for sanctioning standby letter of credit for import of goods should
be delegated to controlling office or zonal office only.
3. A separate limit for establishing stand by letter of credit is desirable rather than
permitting it under the regular documentary limit.
4. Due diligence of the importer as well as on the beneficiary is essential .
5. Unlike documentary credit, banks do not hold original negotiable documents of titles to
gods. Hence while assessing and fixing credit limits for standby letter of credits banks
shall treat such limits as clean for the purpose of discretionary lending powers and
compliance with various Reserve Bank of India's regulations.
6. Application cum guarantee for stand by letter of credit should be obtained from the
applicant.
7. Banks can consider obtaining a suitable indemnity/undertaking from the importer that all
remittances towards their import of goods as per the underlying contracts for which stand
by letter of credit is issued will be made only through the same branch which has issued
the credit.
8. The importer should give an undertaking that he shall not raise any dispute regarding the
payments made by the bank in standby letter of credit at any point of time howsoever,
and will be liable to the bank for all the amount paid therein. He importer should also
indemnify the bank from any loss, claim, counter claims, damages, etc. which the bank
may incur on account of making payment under the stand by letter of credit.
9. Presently, when the documentary letter of credit is established through swift, it is
assumed that the documentary letter of credit is subject to the provisions of UCPDC
500/600 Accordingly whenever standby letter of credit under ISP 98 is established

through SWIFT, a specific clause must appear that standby letter of credit is subject to
the provision of ISP 98.
10. It should be ensured that the issuing bank, advising bank, nominated bank. etc, have all
subscribed to SP 98 in case stand by letter of credit is issued under ISP 98.
11. When payment under a stand by letter of credit is effected, the issuing bank to report such
invocation / payment to Reserve Bank of India.

Export Finance and Documentation.

Introduction
International market involves various types of trade documents that need to be produced while
making transactions. Each trade document is differ from other and present the various aspects of
the trade like description, quality, number, transportation medium, indemnity, inspection and so
on. So, it becomes important for the importers and exporters to make sure that their documents
support the guidelines as per international trade transactions. A small mistake could prove costly
for any of the parties.
For example, a trade document about the bill of lading is a proof that goods have been shipped
on board, while Inspection Certificate, certifies that the goods have been inspected and meet
quality standards. So, depending on these necessary documents, a seller can assure a buyer that
he has fulfilled his responsibility whilst the buyer is assured of his request being carried out by
the seller.
The following is a list of documents often used in international trade:
 Air Waybill
 Bill of Lading
 Certificate of Origin
 Combined Transport Document
 Draft (or Bill of Exchange)
 Insurance Policy (or Certificate)
 Packing List/Specification
 Inspection Certificate
Air Waybills
Air Waybills make sure that goods have been received for shipment by air. A typical air waybill
sample consists of of three originals and nine copies. The first original is for the carrier and is
signed by a export agent; the second original, the consignee's copy, is signed by an export agent;
the third original is signed by the carrier and is handed to the export agent as a receipt for the
goods.
Air Waybills serves as:
• Proof of receipt of the goods for shipment.

• An invoice for the freight.
• A certificate of insurance.
• A guide to airline staff for the handling, dispatch and delivery of the consignment.

The principal requirement for an air waybill are :
 The proper shipper and consignee must be mention.

 The airport of departure and destination must be mention.
 The goods description must be consistent with that shown on other documents.
 Any weight, measure or shipping marks must agree with those shown on other
documents.
 It must be signed and dated by the actual carrier or by the named agent of a named
carrier.
 It must mention whether freight has been paid or will be paid at the destination point.
Bill of Lading (B/L)
Bill of Lading is a document given by the shipping agency for the goods shipped for
transportation form one destination to another and is signed by the representatives of the carrying
vessel.
Bill of landing is issued in the set of two, three or more. The number in the set will be indicated
on each bill of lading and all must be accounted for. This is done due to the safety reasons which
ensure that the document never comes into the hands of an unauthorised person. Only one
original is sufficient to take possession of goods at port of discharge so, a bank which finances a
trade transaction will need to control the complete set. The bill of lading must be signed by the
shipping company or its agent, and must show how many signed originals were issued.
It will indicate whether cost of freight/ carriage has been paid or not :
"Freight Prepaid" : Paid by shipper

"Freight collect" : To be paid by the buyer at the port of discharge
The bill of lading also forms the contract of carriage.
To be acceptable to the buyer, the B/L should :
 Carry an "On Board" notation to showing the actual date of shipment, (Sometimes
however, the "on board" wording is in small print at the bottom of the B/L, in which
cases there is no need for a dated "on board" notation to be shown separately with date
and signature.)
 Be "clean" have no notation by the shipping company to the effect that goods/ packaging
are damaged.
The main parties involve in a bill of lading are:
 Shipper
o The person who send the goods.
 Consignee
o The person who take delivery of the goods.

 Notify Party
o The person, usually the importer, to whom the shipping company or its agent
gives notice of arrival of the goods.
 Carrier
o The person or company who has concluded a contract with the shipper for
conveyance of goods
The bill of lading must meet all the requirements of the credit as well as complying with UCP
500. These are as follows :
 The correct shipper, consignee and notifying party must be shown.

 The carrying vessel and ports of the loading and discharge must be stated.
 The place of receipt and place of delivery must be stated, if different from port of loading
or port of discharge.
 The goods description must be consistent with that shown on other documents.
 Any weight or measures must agree with those shown on other documents.
 Shipping marks and numbers and /or container number must agree with those shown on
other documents.
 It must state whether freight has been paid or is payable at destination.
 It must be dated on or before the latest date for shipment specified in the credit.
 It must state the actual name of the carrier or be signed as agent for a named carrier.
Certificate of Origin
The Certificate of Origin is required by the custom authority of the importing country for the
purpose of imposing import duty. It is usually issued by the Chamber of Commerce and contains
information like seal of the chamber, details of the good to be transported and so on.
The certificate must provide that the information required by the credit and be consistent with all
other document, It would normally include :
 The name of the company and address as exporter.

 The name of the importer.
 Package numbers, shipping marks and description of goods to agree with that on other
documents.
 Any weight or measurements must agree with those shown on other documents.
 It should be signed and stamped by the Chamber of Commerce.
Combined Transport Document
Combined Transport Document is also known as Multimodal Transport Document, and is used
when goods are transported using more than one mode of transportation. In the case of
multimodal transport document, the contract of carriage is meant for a combined transport from
the place of shipping to the place of delivery. It also evidence receipt of goods but it does not
evidence on board shipment, if it complies with ICC 500, Art. 26(a). The liability of the
combined transport operator starts from the place of shipment and ends at the place of delivery.

This documents need to be signed with appropriate number of originals in the full set and proper
evidence which indicates that transport charges have been paid or will be paid at destination port.
Multimodal transport document would normally show :
 That the consignee and notify parties are as the credit.

 The place goods are received, or taken in charges, and place of final destination.
 Whether freight is prepaid or to be collected.
 The date of dispatch or taking in charge, and the "On Board" notation, if any must be
dated and signed.
 Total number of originals.
 Signature of the carrier, multimodal transport operator or their agents.
Commercial Invoice
Commercial Invoice document is provided by the seller to the buyer. Also known as export
invoice or import invoice, commercial invoice is finally used by the custom authorities of the
importer's country to evaluate the good for the purpose of taxation.
The invoice must :
 Be issued by the beneficiary named in the credit (the seller).

 Be address to the applicant of the credit (the buyer).
 Be signed by the beneficiary (if required).
 Include the description of the goods exactly as detailed in the credit.
 Be issued in the stated number of originals (which must be marked "Original) and copies.
 Include the price and unit prices if appropriate.
 State the price amount payable which must not exceed that stated in the credit
 include the shipping terms.
Bill of Exchange
A Bill of Exchange is a special type of written document under which an exporter ask importer a
certain amount of money in future and the importer also agrees to pay the importer that amount
of money on or before the future date. This document has special importance in wholesale trade
where large amount of money involved.
Following persons are involved in a bill of exchange:

Drawer: The person who writes or prepares the bill.
Drawee: The person who pays the bill.
Payee: The person to whom the payment is to be made.
Holder of the Bill: The person who is in possession of the bill.
On the basis of the due date there are two types of bill of exchange:

 Bill of Exchange after Date: In this case the due date is counted from the date of
drawing and is also called bill after date.
 Bill of Exchange after Sight: In this case the due date is counted from the date of
acceptance of the bill and is also called bill of exchange after sight.
Insurance Certificate
Also known as Insurance Policy, it certifies that goods transported have been insured under an
open policy and is not actionable with little details about the risk covered.
It is necessary that the date on which the insurance becomes effective is same or earlier than the
date of issuance of the transport documents.
Also, if submitted under a LC, the insured amount must be in the same currency as the credit and
usually for the bill amount plus 10 per cent.
The requirements for completion of an insurance policy are as follow :
 The name of the party in the favor which the documents has been issued.
 The name of the vessel or flight details.
 The place from where insurance is to commerce typically the sellers warehouse or the
port of loading and the place where insurance cases usually the buyer's warehouse or the
port of destination.
 Insurance value that specified in the credit.
 Marks and numbers to agree with those on other documents.
 The description of the goods, which must be consistent with that in the credit and on the
invoice.
 The name and address of the claims settling agent together with the place where claims
are payable.
 Countersigned where necessary.
 Date of issue to be no later than the date of transport documents unless cover is shown to
be effective prior to that date.
Packing List
Also known as packing specification, it contain details about the packing materials used in the
shipping of goods. It also include details like measurement and weight of goods.
The packing List must :
 Have a description of the goods ("A") consistent with the other documents.
 Have details of shipping marks ("B") and numbers consistent with other documents
Inspection Certificate
Certificate of Inspection is a document prepared on the request of seller when he wants the
consignment to be checked by a third party at the port of shipment before the goods are sealed

for final transportation.
In this process seller submit a valid Inspection Certificate along with the other trade documents
like invoice, packing list, shipping bill, bill of lading etc to the bank for negotiation.
On demand, inspection can be done by various world renowned inspection agencies on nominal
charges.

Export Pre Shipment and Post Shipment Finance.

Pre Shipment Finance is issued by a financial institution when the seller want the payment of the
goods before shipment. The main objectives behind preshipment finance or pre export finance is
to enable exporter to:
 Procure raw materials.

 Carry out manufacturing process.
 Provide a secure warehouse for goods and raw materials.
 Process and pack the goods.
 Ship the goods to the buyers.
 Meet other financial cost of the business.
Types of Pre Shipment Finance
 Packing Credit
 Advance against Cheques/Draft etc. representing Advance Payments.
Preshipment finance is extended in the following forms :
 Packing Credit in Indian Rupee

 Packing Credit in Foreign Currency (PCFC)
Requirment for Getting Packing Credit
This facility is provided to an exporter who satisfies the following criteria
 A ten digit importerexporter code number allotted by DGFT.

 Exporter should not be in the caution list of RBI.
 If the goods to be exported are not under OGL (Open General Licence), the exporter
should have the required license /quota permit to export the goods.
Packing credit facility can be provided to an exporter on production of the following evidences
to the bank:
1. Formal application for release the packing credit with undertaking to the effect that the
exporter would be ship the goods within stipulated due date and submit the relevant
shipping documents to the banks within prescribed time limit.
2. Firm order or irrevocable L/C or original cable / fax / telex message exchange between
the exporter and the buyer.
3. Licence issued by DGFT if the goods to be exported fall under the restricted or canalized
category. If the item falls under quota system, proper quota allotment proof needs to be
submitted.

The confirmed order received from the overseas buyer should reveal the information about the
full name and address of the overseas buyer, description quantity and value of goods (FOB or
CIF), destination port and the last date of payment.
Eligibility
Pre shipment credit is only issued to that exporter who has the export order in his own name.
However, as an exception, financial institution can also grant credit to a third party manufacturer
or supplier of goods who does not have export orders in their own name.
In this case some of the responsibilities of meeting the export requirements have been out
sourced to them by the main exporter. In other cases where the export order is divided between
two more than two exporters, pre shipment credit can be shared between them
Quantum of Finance
The Quantum of Finance is granted to an exporter against the LC or an expected order. The only
guideline principle is the concept of NeedBased Finance. Banks determine the percentage of
margin, depending on factors such as:
 The nature of Order.

 The nature of the commodity.
 The capability of exporter to bring in the requisite contribution.
Different Stages of Pre Shipment Finance

Appraisal and Sanction of Limits
1. Before making any an allowance for Credit facilities banks need to check the different aspects
like product profile, political and economic details about country. Apart from these things, the
bank also looks in to the status report of the prospective buyer, with whom the exporter proposes
to do the business. To check all these information, banks can seek the help of institution like
ECGC or International consulting agencies like Dun and Brad street etc.
The Bank extended the packing credit facilities after ensuring the following"
1. The exporter is a regular customer, a bona fide exporter and has a goods standing in the
market.
2. Whether the exporter has the necessary license and quota permit (as mentioned earlier) or
not.
3. Whether the country with which the exporter wants to deal is under the list of Restricted
Cover Countries(RCC) or not.

Disbursement of Packing Credit Advance
2. Once the proper sanctioning of the documents is done, bank ensures whether exporter has
executed the list of documents mentioned earlier or not. Disbursement is normally allowed when
all the documents are properly executed.
Sometimes an exporter is not able to produce the export order at time of availing packing credit.
So, in these cases, the bank provide a special packing credit facility and is known as Running
Account Packing.
Before disbursing the bank specifically check for the following particulars in the submitted
documents"
1. Name of buyer
2. Commodity to be exported
3. Quantity
4. Value (either CIF or FOB)
5. Last date of shipment / negotiation.
6. Any other terms to be complied with
The quantum of finance is fixed depending on the FOB value of contract /LC or the domestic
values of goods, whichever is found to be lower. Normally insurance and freight charged are
considered at a later stage, when the goods are ready to be shipped.
In this case disbursals are made only in stages and if possible not in cash. The payments are
made directly to the supplier by drafts/bankers/cheques.
The bank decides the duration of packing credit depending upon the time required by the
exporter for processing of goods.
The maximum duration of packing credit period is 180 days, however bank may provide a
further 90 days extension on its own discretion, without referring to RBI.
Follow up of Packing Credit Advance
3. Exporter needs to submit stock statement giving all the necessary information about the
stocks. It is then used by the banks as a guarantee for securing the packing credit in advance.
Bank also decides the rate of submission of this stocks.
Apart from this, authorized dealers (banks) also physically inspect the stock at regular intervals.
Liquidation of Packing Credit Advance
4. Packing Credit Advance needs be liquidated out of as the export proceeds of the relevant
shipment, thereby converting preshipment credit into postshipment credit.
This liquidation can also be done by the payment receivable from the Government of India and

includes the duty drawback, payment from the Market Development Fund (MDF) of the Central
Government or from any other relevant source.
In case if the export does not take place then the entire advance can also be recovered at a certain
interest rate. RBI has allowed some flexibility in to this regulation under which substitution of
commodity or buyer can be allowed by a bank without any reference to RBI. Hence in effect the
packing credit advance may be repaid by proceeds from export of the same or another
commodity to the same or another buyer. However, bank need to ensure that the substitution is
commercially necessary and unavoidable.
Overdue Packing
5. Bank considers a packing credit as an overdue, if the borrower fails to liquidate the packing
credit on the due date. And, if the condition persists then the bank takes the necessary step to
recover its dues as per normal recovery procedure.
Special Cases
Packing Credit to Sub Supplier
1. Packing Credit can only be shared on the basis of disclaimer between the Export Order Holder
(EOH) and the manufacturer of the goods. This disclaimer is normally issued by the EOH in
order to indicate that he is not availing any credit facility against the portion of the order
transferred in the name of the manufacturer.
This disclaimer is also signed by the bankers of EOH after which they have an option to open an
inland L/C specifying the goods to be supplied to the EOH as a part of the export transaction. On
basis of such an L/C, the subsupplier bank may grant a packing credit to the subsupplier to
manufacture the components required for exports.
On supply of goods, the L/C opening bank will pay to the sub supplier's bank against the inland
documents received on the basis of the inland L/C opened by them.
The final responsibility of EOH is to export the goods as per guidelines. Any delay in export
order can bring EOH to penal provisions that can be issued anytime.
The main objective of this method is to cover only the first stage of production cycles, and is not
to be extended to cover supplies of raw material etc. Running account facility is not granted to
subsuppliers.
In case the EOH is a trading house, the facility is available commencing from the manufacturer
to whom the order has been passed by the trading house.
Banks however, ensure that there is no double financing and the total period of packing credit
does not exceed the actual cycle of production of the commodity.

Running Account facility
2. It is a special facility under which a bank has right to grant preshipment advance for export to
the exporter of any origin. Sometimes banks also extent these facilities depending upon the good
track record of the exporter.
In return the exporter needs to produce the letter of credit / firms export order within a given
period of time.
Preshipment Credit in Foreign Currency (PCFC)
3. Authorised dealers are permitted to extend Preshipment Credit in Foreign Currency (PCFC)
with an objective of making the credit available to the exporters at internationally competitive
price. This is considered as an added advantage under which credit is provided in foreign
currency in order to facilitate the purchase of raw material after fulfilling the basic export orders.
The rate of interest on PCFC is linked to London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR). According to
guidelines, the final cost of exporter must not exceed 0.75% over 6 month LIBOR, excluding the
tax.
The exporter has freedom to avail PCFC in convertible currencies like USD, Pound, Sterling,
Euro, Yen etc. However, the risk associated with the cross currency truncation is that of the
exporter.
The sources of funds for the banks for extending PCFC facility include the Foreign Currency
balances available with the Bank in Exchange, Earner Foreign Currency Account (EEFC),
Resident Foreign Currency Accounts RFC(D) and Foreign Currency(NonResident) Accounts.
Banks are also permitted to utilize the foreign currency balances available under Escrow account
and Exporters Foreign Currency accounts. It ensures that the requirement of funds by the account
holders for permissible transactions is met. But the limit prescribed for maintaining maximum
balance in the account is not exceeded. In addition, Banks may arrange for borrowings from
abroad. Banks may negotiate terms of credit with overseas bank for the purpose of grant of
PCFC to exporters, without the prior approval of RBI, provided the rate of interest on borrowing
does not exceed 0.75% over 6 month LIBOR.
Packing Credit Facilities to Deemed Exports
4. Deemed exports made to multilateral funds aided projects and programmes, under orders
secured through global tenders for which payments will be made in free foreign exchange, are
eligible for concessional rate of interest facility both at pre and post supply stages.
Packing Credit facilities for Consulting Services
5. In case of consultancy services, exports do not involve physical movement of goods out of
Indian Customs Territory. In such cases, Preshipment finance can be provided by the bank to
allow the exporter to mobilize resources like technical personnel and training them.

Advance against Cheque/Drafts received as advance payment
6. Where exporters receive direct payments from abroad by means of cheques/drafts etc. the
bank may grant export credit at concessional rate to the exporters of goods track record, till the
time of realization of the proceeds of the cheques or draft etc. The Banks however, must satisfy
themselves that the proceeds are against an export order.

Export Post Shipment Finance.

Introduction
Post Shipment Finance is a kind of loan provided by a financial institution to an exporter or
seller against a shipment that has already been made. This type of export finance is granted from
the date of extending the credit after shipment of the goods to the realization date of the exporter
proceeds. Exporters don’t wait for the importer to deposit the funds.
Basic Features
The features of postshipment finance are:
 Purpose of Finance
Postshipment finance is meant to finance export sales receivable after the date of
shipment of goods to the date of realization of exports proceeds. In cases of deemed
exports, it is extended to finance receivable against supplies made to designated agencies.
 Basis of Finance
Postshipment finances is provided against evidence of shipment of goods or supplies
made to the importer or seller or any other designated agency.
 Types of Finance
Postshipment finance can be secured or unsecured. Since the finance is extended against
evidence of export shipment and bank obtains the documents of title of goods, the finance
is normally self liquidating. In that case it involves advance against undrawn balance, and
is usually unsecured in nature.
Further, the finance is mostly a funded advance. In few cases, such as financing of project
exports, the issue of guarantee (retention money guarantees) is involved and the financing
is not funded in nature.
 Quantum of Finance
As a quantum of finance, postshipment finance can be extended up to 100% of the
invoice value of goods. In special cases, where the domestic value of the goods increases
the value of the exporter order, finance for a price difference can also be extended and the
price difference is covered by the government. This type of finance is not extended in
case of preshipment stage.
Banks can also finance undrawn balance. In such cases banks are free to stipulate margin
requirements as per their usual lending norm.
 Period of Finance
Postshipment finance can be off short terms or long term, depending on the payment
terms offered by the exporter to the overseas importer. In case of cash exports, the
maximum period allowed for realization of exports proceeds is six months from the date
of shipment. Concessive rate of interest is available for a highest period of 180 days,
opening from the date of surrender of documents. Usually, the documents need to be
submitted within 21days from the date of shipment.

Financing For Various Types of Export Buyer's Credit

Postshipment finance can be provided for three types of export :
 Physical exports: Finance is provided to the actual exporter or to the exporter in whose
name the trade documents are transferred.
 Deemed export: Finance is provided to the supplier of the goods which are supplied to
the designated agencies.
 Capital goods and project exports: Finance is sometimes extended in the name of
overseas buyer. The disbursal of money is directly made to the domestic exporter.
Supplier's Credit
Buyer's Credit is a special type of loan that a bank offers to the buyers for large scale purchasing
under a contract. Once the bank approved loans to the buyer, the seller shoulders all or part of the
interests incurred.
Types of Post Shipment Finance

The post shipment finance can be classified as :
1. Export Bills purchased/discounted.

2. Export Bills negotiated
3. Advance against export bills sent on collection basis.
4. Advance against export on consignment basis
5. Advance against undrawn balance on exports
6. Advance against claims of Duty Drawback.
1. Export Bills Purchased/ Discounted.(DP & DA Bills)

Export bills (Non L/C Bills) is used in terms of sale contract/ order may be discounted or
purchased by the banks. It is used in indisputable international trade transactions and the proper
limit has to be sanctioned to the exporter for purchase of export bill facility.
2. Export Bills Negotiated (Bill under L/C)
The risk of payment is less under the LC, as the issuing bank makes sure the payment. The risk is
further reduced, if a bank guarantees the payments by confirming the LC. Because of the inborn
security available in this method, banks often become ready to extend the finance against bills
under LC.
However, this arises two major risk factors for the banks:
1. The risk of nonperformance by the exporter, when he is unable to meet his terms and
conditions. In this case, the issuing banks do not honor the letter of credit.
2. The bank also faces the documentary risk where the issuing bank refuses to honour its
commitment. So, it is important for the for the negotiating bank, and the lending bank to
properly check all the necessary documents before submission.

3. Advance Against Export Bills Sent on Collection Basis

Bills can only be sent on collection basis, if the bills drawn under LC have some discrepancies.
Sometimes exporter requests the bill to be sent on the collection basis, anticipating the
strengthening of foreign currency.
Banks may allow advance against these collection bills to an exporter with a concessional rates
of interest depending upon the transit period in case of DP Bills and transit period plus usance
period in case of usance bill.
The transit period is from the date of acceptance of the export documents at the banks branch for
collection and not from the date of advance.
4. Advance Against Export on Consignments Basis
Bank may choose to finance when the goods are exported on consignment basis at the risk of the
exporter for sale and eventual payment of sale proceeds to him by the consignee.
However, in this case bank instructs the overseas bank to deliver the document only against trust
receipt /undertaking to deliver the sale proceeds by specified date, which should be within the
prescribed date even if according to the practice in certain trades a bill for part of the estimated
value is drawn in advance against the exports.
In case of export through approved Indian owned warehouses abroad the times limit for
realization is 15 months.
5. Advance against Undrawn Balance
It is a very common practice in export to leave small part undrawn for payment after adjustment
due to difference in rates, weight, quality etc. Banks do finance against the undrawn balance, if
undrawn balance is in conformity with the normal level of balance left undrawn in the particular
line of export, subject to a maximum of 10 percent of the export value. An undertaking is also
obtained from the exporter that he will, within 6 months from due date of payment or the date of
shipment of the goods, whichever is earlier surrender balance proceeds of the shipment.
6. Advance Against Claims of Duty Drawback
Duty Drawback is a type of discount given to the exporter in his own country. This discount is
given only, if the inhouse cost of production is higher in relation to international price. This type
of financial support helps the exporter to fight successfully in the international markets.
In such a situation, banks grants advances to exporters at lower rate of interest for a maximum
period of 90 days. These are granted only if other types of export finance are also extended to the
exporter by the same bank.
After the shipment, the exporters lodge their claims, supported by the relevant documents to the
relevant government authorities. These claims are processed and eligible amount is disbursed
after making sure that the bank is authorized to receive the claim amount directly from the
concerned government authorities.
Crystallization of Overdue Export Bills
Exporter foreign exchange is converted into Rupee liability, if the export bill purchase /
negotiated /discounted is not realize on due date. This conversion occurs on the 30th day after
expiry of the NTP in case of unpaid DP bills and on 30th day after national due date in case of
DA bills, at prevailing TT selling rate ruling on the day of crystallization, or the original bill
buying rate, whichever is higher.

Forfeiting and Factoring.

Introduction
Forfeiting and factoring are services in international market given to an exporter or seller. Its
main objective is to provide smooth cash flow to the sellers. The basic difference between the
forfeiting and factoring is that forfeiting is a long term receivables (over 90 days up to 5 years)
while factoring is a shorttermed receivables (within 90 days) and is more related to receivables
against commodity sales.
Definition of Forfeiting
The terms forfeiting is originated from a old French word ‘forfait’, which means to surrender
ones right on something to someone else. In international trade, forfeiting may be defined as the
purchasing of an exporter’s receivables at a discount price by paying cash. By buying these
receivables, the forfeiter frees the exporter from credit and the risk of not receiving the payment
from the importer.
How forfeiting Works in International Trade
The exporter and importer negotiate according to the proposed export sales contract. Then the
exporter approaches the forfeiter to ascertain the terms of forfeiting. After collecting the details
about the importer, and other necessary documents, forfeiter estimates risk involved in it and
then quotes the discount rate.
The exporter then quotes a contract price to the overseas buyer by loading the discount rate and
commitment fee on the sales price of the goods to be exported and sign a contract with the
forfeiter. Export takes place against documents guaranteed by the importer’s bank and discounts
the bill with the forfeiter and presents the same to the importer for payment on due date.
Documentary Requirements
In case of Indian exporters availing forfeiting facility, the forfeiting transaction is to be reflected
in the following documents associated with an export transaction in the manner suggested below:
 Invoice : Forfeiting discount, commitment fees, etc. needs not be shown separately
instead, these could be built into the FOB price, stated on the invoice.
 Shipping Bill and GR form : Details of the forfeiting costs are to be included along with
the other details, such FOB price, commission insurance, normally included in the
"Analysis of Export Value "on the shipping bill. The claim for duty drawback, if any is to
be certified only with reference to the FOB value of the exports stated on the shipping
bill.
Forfeiting
The forfeiting typically involves the following cost elements:
1. Commitment fee, payable by the exporter to the forfeiter ‘for latter’s’ commitment to execute
a specific forfeiting transaction at a firm discount rate with in a specified time.
2. Discount fee, interest payable by the exporter for the entire period of credit involved and
deducted by the forfaiter from the amount paid to the exporter against the availised promissory
notes or bills of exchange.

Benefits to Exporter
 100 per cent financing : Without recourse and not occupying exporter's credit line That
is to say once the exporter obtains the financed fund, he will be exempted from the
responsibility to repay the debt.
 Improved cash flow : Receivables become current cash in flow and its is beneficial to
the exporters to improve financial status and liquidation ability so as to heighten further
the funds raising capability.
 Reduced administration cost : By using forfeiting , the exporter will spare from the
management of the receivables. The relative costs, as a result, are reduced greatly.
 Advance tax refund: Through forfeiting the exporter can make the verification of export
and get tax refund in advance just after financing.
 Risk reduction : forfeiting business enables the exporter to transfer various risk resulted
from deferred payments, such as interest rate risk, currency risk, credit risk, and political
risk to the forfeiting bank.
 Increased trade opportunity : With forfeiting, the export is able to grant credit to his
buyers freely, and thus, be more competitive in the market.
Benefits to Banks
Forfeiting provides the banks following benefits:
 Banks can offer a novel product range to clients, which enable the client to gain 100%
finance, as against 8085% in case of other discounting products.
 Bank gain fee based income.
 Lower credit administration and credit follow up.
Definition of Factoring
Definition of factoring is very simple and can be defined as the conversion of credit sales into
cash. Here, a financial institution which is usually a bank buys the accounts receivable of a
company usually a client and then pays up to 80% of the amount immediately on agreement. The
remaining amount is paid to the client when the customer pays the debt. Examples includes
factoring against goods purchased, factoring against medical insurance, factoring for
construction services etc.
Characteristics of Factoring
1. The normal period of factoring is 90150 days and rarely exceeds more than 150 days.
2. It is costly.
3. Factoring is not possible in case of bad debts.
4. Credit rating is not mandatory.
5. It is a method of offbalance sheet financing.
6. Cost of factoring is always equal to finance cost plus operating cost.
Different Types of Factoring
1. Disclosed
2. Undisclosed

1. Disclosed Factoring
In disclosed factoring, client’s customers are aware of the factoring agreement.
Disclosed factoring is of two types:
Recourse factoring: The client collects the money from the customer but in case customer don’t
pay the amount on maturity then the client is responsible to pay the amount to the factor. It is
offered at a low rate of interest and is in very common use.
Nonrecourse factoring: In nonrecourse factoring, factor undertakes to collect the debts from the
customer. Balance amount is paid to client at the end of the credit period or when the customer
pays the factor whichever comes first. The advantage of nonrecourse factoring is that continuous
factoring will eliminate the need for credit and collection departments in the organization.
2. Undisclosed
In undisclosed factoring, client's customers are not notified of the factoring arrangement. In this
case, Client has to pay the amount to the factor irrespective of whether customer has paid or not.

Export Bank Guarantees.

Introduction
A bank guarantee is a written contract given by a bank on the behalf of a customer. By issuing
this guarantee, a bank takes responsibility for payment of a sum of money in case, if it is not paid
by the customer on whose behalf the guarantee has been issued. In return, a bank gets some
commission for issuing the guarantee.
Any one can apply for a bank guarantee, if his or her company has obligations towards a third
party for which funds need to be blocked in order to guarantee that his or her company fulfils its
obligations (for example carrying out certain works, payment of a debt, etc.).
In case of any changes or cancellation during the transaction process, a bank guarantee remains
valid until the customer dully releases the bank from its liability.
In the situations, where a customer fails to pay the money, the bank must pay the amount within
three working days. This payment can also be refused by the bank, if the claim is found to be
unlawful.
Benefits of Bank Guarantees
For Governments
1. Increases the rate of private financing for key sectors such as infrastructure.
2. Provides access to capital markets as well as commercial banks.
3. Reduces cost of private financing to affordable levels.
4. Facilitates privatizations and public private partnerships.
5. Reduces government risk exposure by passing commercial risk to the private sector.
For Private Sector

1. Reduces risk of private transactions in emerging countries.
2. Mitigates risks that the private sector does not control.
3. Opens new markets.
4. Improves project sustainability.
Legal Requirements
Bank guarantee is issued by the authorised dealers under their obligated authorities notified vide
FEMA 8/ 2000 dt 3rd May 2000. Only in case of revocation of guarantee involving US $ 5000 or
more need to be reported to Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

Types of Bank Guarantees

1. Direct or Indirect Bank Guarantee: A bank guarantee can be either direct or indirect.
Direct Bank Guarantee It is issued by the applicant's bank (issuing bank) directly to the
guarantee's beneficiary without concerning a correspondent bank. This type of guarantee is less
expensive and is also subject to the law of the country in which the guarantee is issued unless
otherwise it is mentioned in the guarantee documents.
Indirect Bank Guarantee With an indirect guarantee, a second bank is involved, which is
basically a representative of the issuing bank in the country to which beneficiary belongs. This
involvement of a second bank is done on the demand of the beneficiary. This type of bank
guarantee is more time consuming and expensive too.
2. Confirmed Guarantee
It is cross between direct and indirect types of bank guarantee. This type of bank guarantee is
issued directly by a bank after which it is send to a foreign bank for confirmations. The foreign
banks confirm the original documents and thereby assume the responsibility.
3. Tender Bond
This is also called bid bonds and is normally issued in support of a tender in international trade.
It provides the beneficiary with a financial remedy, if the applicant fails to fulfill any of the
tender conditions.
4. Performance Bonds
This is one of the most common types of bank guarantee which is used to secure the completion
of the contractual responsibilities of delivery of goods and act as security of penalty payment by
the Supplier in case of nondelivery of goods.
5. Advance Payment Guarantees

This mode of guarantee is used where the applicant calls for the provision of a sum of money at
an early stage of the contract and can recover the amount paid in advance, or a part thereof, if the
applicant fails to fulfill the agreement.
6. Payment Guarantees
This type of bank guarantee is used to secure the responsibilities to pay goods and services. If the
beneficiary has fulfilled his contractual obligations after delivering the goods or services but the
debtor fails to make the payment, then after written declaration the beneficiary can easily obtain
his money form the guaranteeing bank.
7. Loan Repayment Guarantees

This type of guarantee is given by a bank to the creditor to pay the amount of loan body and
interests in case of nonfulfillment by the borrower.
8. B/L Letter of Indemnity

This is also called a letter of indemnity and is a type of guarantee from the bank making sure that
any kind of loss of goods will not be suffered by the carrier.

9. Rental Guarantee
This type of bank guarantee is given under a rental contract. Rental guarantee is either limited to
rental payments only or includes all payments due under the rental contract including cost of
repair on termination of the rental contract.
10. Credit Card Guarantee

Credit card guarantee is issued by the credit card companies to its customer as a guarantee that
the merchant will be paid on transactions regardless of whether the consumer pays their credit.
How to Apply for Bank Guarantee
Procedure for Bank Guarantees are very simple and are not governed by any particular legal
regulations. However, to obtained the bank guarantee one need to have a current account in the
bank. Guarantees can be issued by a bank through its authorised dealers as per notifications
mentioned in the FEMA 8/2000 date 3rd May 2000. Only in case of revocation of guarantee
involving US $ 5000/ or more to be reported to Reserve Bank of India along with the details of
the claim received.
Bank Guarantees vs. Letters of Credit
A bank guarantee is frequently confused with letter of credit (LC), which is similar in many
ways but not the same thing. The basic difference between the two is that of the parties involved.
In a bank guarantee, three parties are involved; the bank, the person to whom the guarantee is
given and the person on whose behalf the bank is giving guarantee. In case of a letter of credit,
there are normally four parties involved; issuing bank, advising bank, the applicant (importer)
and the beneficiary (exporter).
Also, as a bank guarantee only becomes active when the customer fails to pay the necessary
amount where as in case of letters of credit, the issuing bank does not wait for the buyer to
default, and for the seller to invoke the undertaking.

Export International Trade Transport Risk.

Introduction
It is quite important to evaluate the transportation risk in international trade for better financial
stability of export business. About 80% of the world major transportation of goods is carried out
by sea, which also gives rise to a number of risk factors associated with transportation of goods.
The major risk factors related to shipping are cargo, vessels, people and financing. So it becomes
necessary for the government to address all of these risks with broadbased security policy
responses, since simply responding to threats in isolation to one another can be both ineffective
and costly.
While handling transportation in international trade following precaution should be taken into
consideration.
 In case of transportation by ship, and the product should be appropriate for

containerization. It is worth promoting standard order values equivalent to
quantities loaded into standard size containers.
 Work must be carried out in compliance with the international code concerning
the transport of dangerous goods.
 For better communication purpose people involve in the handling of goods should
be equipped with phone, fax, email, internet and radio.
 About the instructions given to the transport company on freight forwarder.
 Necessary information about the cargo insurance.
 Each time goods are handled; there risk of damage. Plan for this when packing for
export, and deciding on choice of transport and route.
 The expected sailing dates for marine transport should be built into the production
programme, especially where payments is to be made by Letter of Credit when
documents will needs to be presented within a specified time frame.
 Choice of transport has Balance Sheet implications. The exporter is likely to
received payments for goods supplied while they are in transit.
 Driver accompanied road transport provides peace of minds, but the ability to fill
the return load will affect pricing.
Transport Insurance
Export and import in international trade, requires transportation of goods over a long distance.
No matter whichever transport has been used in international trade, necessary insurance is must
for ever good.
Cargo insurance also known as marine cargo insurance is a type of insurance against physical
damage or loss of goods during transportation. Cargo insurance is effective in all the three cases
whether the goods have been transported via sea, land or air.

Insurance policy is not applicable if the goods have been found to be packaged or transported by
any wrong means or methods. So, it is advisable to use a broker for placing cargo risks.
Scope of Coverage
The following can be covered for the risk of loss or damage:
 Cargoimport, export cross voyage dispatched by sea, river, road, rail post, personal
courier, and including associated storage risks.
 Good in transit (inland).
 Freight service liability.
 Associated stock.
However there are still a number of general exclusion such loss by delay, war risk, improper
packaging and insolvency of carrier. Converse for some of these may be negotiated with the
insurance company. The Institute War Clauses may also be added.
Regular exporters may negotiate open cover. It is an umbrella marine insurance policy that is
activated when eligible shipments are made. Individual insurance certificates are issued after the
shipment is made. Some letters of Credit Will require an individual insurance policy to be issued
for the shipment, While others accept an insurance certificate.
Specialist Covers
Whereas standard marine/transport cover is the answer for general cargo, some classes of
business will have special requirements. General insurer may have developed specialty teams to
cater for the needs of these business, and it is worth asking if this cover can be extended to
export risks.
Cover may be automatically available for the needs of the trade.
Example of this are:
 Project Constructional works insurers can cover the movement of goods for the project.
 Fine art
 Precious stonesSpecial Cover can be extended to cover sending of precious stones.
 Stock through put cover extended beyond the time goods are in transit until when they
are used at the destination.
Seller's Buyer's Contingent Interest Insurance
An exporter selling on, for example FOB (INCOTERMS 2000) delivery terms would according
to the contract and to INCOTERMS, have not responsibility for insurance once the goods have
passed the ship's rail. However, for peace of mind, he may wish to purchase extra cover, which
will cover him for loss or will make up cover where the other policy is too restrictive . This is
known as Seller's Interest Insurance.

Similarly, cover is available to importers/buyers.
Seller's Interest and Buyer's Interest covers usually extended cover to apply if the title in the
goods reverts to the insured party until the goods are recovered resold or returned.
Loss of Profits/ Consequential Loss Insurance
Importers buying goods for a particular event may be interested in consequential loss cover in
case the goods are late (for a reason that id insured) and (expensive) replacements have to be
found to replace them. In such cases, the insurer will pay a claim and receive may proceeds from
the eventual sale of the delayed goods.

Credit Risk in Export Business.

Introduction
Contract risk and credit risk are the part of international trade finance and are quite different
from each other.
A contract risk is related to the Latin law of "Caveat Emptor", which means "Buyer Beware" and
refers directly to the goods being purchase under contract, whether it's a car, house land or
whatever.
On the other hand a credit risk may be defined as the risk that a counter party to a transaction
will fail to perform according to the terms and conditions of the contract, thus causing the holder
of the claim to suffer a loss.
Banks all over the world are very sensitive to credit risk in various financial sectors like loans,
trade financing, foreign exchange, swaps, bonds, equities, and inter bank transactions.
Credit Insurance
Credit Insurance is special type of loan which pays back a fraction or whole of the amount to the
borrower in case of death, disability, or unemployment. It protects open account sales against
nonpayment resulting from a customer's legal insolvency or default. It is usually required by
manufacturers and wholesalers selling products on credit terms to domestic and/or foreign
customers.
Benefits of Credit Insurance
1. Expand sales to existing customers without increased risk.

2 Offer more competitive credit terms to new customers in new markets.
3. Help protect against potential restatement of earnings.
4. Optimize bank financing by insuring trade receivables.
5. Supplement credit risk management.
Payment Risk
This type of risk arises when a customer charges in an organization or if he does not pay for
operational reasons. Payment risk can only be recovered by a well written contract. Recovery can
not be made for payment risk using credit insurance.
Bad Debt Protection
A bad debt can effect profitability. So, it is always good to keep options ready for bad debt like
Confirmation of LC, debt purchase (factoring without recourse of forfeiting) or credit insurance.

Confirmation of LC
In an international trade, the confirmation of letter of credit is issued to an exporter or seller. This
confirmation letter assures payment to an exporter or seller, even if the issuing bank defaults on
its payment once the beneficiary meets his terms and conditions.
Factoring and Forfaiting
Where debt purchase is without recourse, the bank will already have advanced the funds in the
debt purchase transaction. The bank takes the risk of nonpayment.
Credit Limit
Companies with credit insurance need to have proper credit limits according to the terms and
conditions. This includes fulfilling the administrative requirements, including notification of
overdoes and also terms set out in the credit limit decision.
Payment of the claim can only be done after a fix period, which is about 6 months for slow pay
insurance. In case of economic and political events is six or more than six months, depending on
the exporter markets.
Credit insurance covers the risk of non payment of trade debts. Each policy is different, some
covering only insolvency risk on goods delivered, and others covering a wide range of risk such
as :
 Local sales, export sales, or both.

 Protracted default.
 Political risk, including contract frustration, war transfer.
 Predelivery risks.
 Cover for sales from stock.
 Non honoring of letters of credits.
 Bond unfair calling risks.
Like all other insurance, credit insurance covers the risk of fortuitous loss. Key features of credit
insurance are:
 The company is expected to assess that its client exists and is creditworthy . This might
be by using a credit limit service provided by the insurer. A Credit limit Will to pay
attention to the company's credit management procedures, and require that agreed
procedures manuals be followed at all times.
 While the credit insurer underwrites the risk of non payment and contract frustration the
nature of the risk is affected by how it is managed. The credit insurer is likely to pay
attention to the company's credit managements procedures, and require that agreed
procedures manuals be followed at all times.
 The credit insurer will expect the sales contract to be written effectively and invoices to
be clear.

 The company will be required to report any overdue or other problems in a timely
fashion.
 The credit insurer may have other exposure on the same buyers or in the same markets. A
company will therefore benefits if other policyholder report that a particular potential
customer is in financial difficulties.
 In the event that the customer does not pay, or cannot pay, the policy reacts. There may
be a waiting period to allow the company to start collection procedures, and to resolve
nay quality disputes.
 Many credit insurer contribute to legal costs, including where early action produces a full
recovery and avoids a claim.
Benefits of Credit Cover
 Protection for the debtor asset or the balance sheet.

 Possible access to information on credit rating of foreign buyer.
 Access to trade finance
 Protection of profit margin
 Advice on customers and levels of credit.
 Disciplined credit management.
 Assistance and /or advice when debts are overdue or there is a risk of loss.
 Provides confidence to suppliers, lenders and investors.
 Good corporate governance.

Country Political Risk in Export.

Introduction
Country risk includes a wide range of risks, associated with lending or depositing funds, or doing
other financial transaction in a particular country. It includes economic risk, political risk,
currency blockage, expropriation, and inadequate access to hard currencies. Country risk can
adversely affect operating profits as well as the value of assets.
With more investors investing internationally, both directly and indirectly, the political, and
therefore economic, stability and viability of a country's economy need to be considered.
Measuring Country Risk
Given below are the lists of some agencies that provide services in evaluating the country risk.
 Bank of America World Information Services

 Business Environment Risk Intelligence (BERI) S.A.
 Control Risks Information Services (CRIS)
 Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU)
 Euromoney
 Institutional Investor
 Standard and Poor's Rating Group
 Political Risk Services: International Country Risk Guide (ICRG)
 Political Risk Services: CoplinO'Leary Rating System
 Moody's Investor Services
Political Risk
The risk of loss due to political reasons arises in a particular country due to changes in the
country's political structure or policies, such as tax laws, tariffs, expropriation of assets, or
restriction in repatriation of profits. Political risk is distinct from other commercial risks, and
tends to be difficult to evaluate.
Some example of political risks are:
 Contract frustration by another country, government resulting in your inability to perform

the contract, following which the buyer may not make payment and or / on demand bonds
may be called.
 Government buyer repudiating the contract this may be occur if there is a significant
political or economic change within the customer's country.
 Licence cancellation or non renewal or imposition of an embargo.
 Sanctions imposed against a particular country or company.
 Imposition of exchange controls causing payments to be blocked.

 General moratorium decreed by an overseas government preventing payment

 Shortage of foreign exchange/transfer delay.
 War involving either importing or exporting country.
 Forced abandonment
 Revoking of Import/ Exports licence.
 Changes in regulations.
The following are also considered as political risks in relation to exporting :
 Confiscation of assets by a foreign government.

 Unfair calling of bonds.
Insurance companies provide political risk covers. These may be purchased:
 On their own, covering only political risk on the sale to a particular country.
 For a portfolio of political risks.
 For the political risks in relation to the sale to another company in your group (where
there is a common shareholding and therefore insolvency cover is not available).
 As part of a credit insurance policy.
PreDelivery Risks
A company can suffer financial loss, if export contract is cancelled due to commercial or
political reasons, even before the goods and services are dispatched or delivered. In such a
situation, the exposure to loss will depends on:
 The nature of the contract.

 If the company can salvage any products and resell them quickly, with a small amount of
re working
 Any stage payments
 If servicing staff have left the country.
 The extent of the commitments to suppliers.
 The horizon of pre delivery risk
 The customer and country risks
Pre Delivery Cover

Credit insurance can be extended to cover predelivery risk, in particular, the risk of customer
insolvency predelivery or political frustration predelivery.
Some times predelivery cover can be extended included the frustration of a contract caused by
non payment of a pre delivery milestone, and or non payment of a termination account, and or
bond call.
Predelivery risks are often complicated and the wording of the cover is worth careful
examination.
It is to be noted that in the event that it was clearly unwise to dispatch goods, credit risk

(payment risk) cover would not automatically apply if the company nonetheless went ahead and
dispatched head them.
Binding contracts cover and NonCancelable Limits
Binding contracts cover and noncancelable limits are not included in predelivery cover.
However, they provide a commitment from the credit insurer that the cover for dispatches /
invoices will not be withdrawn without a prior notice.
If the company's customer is overdue, or it is imprudent to dispatch, there is no credit insurance

cover for dispatches subsequently made, even where the company holds binding contract cover
or noncancelable limits.

Currency Risk in Export International Trade.

Introduction
Currency risk is a type of risk in international trade that arises from the fluctuation in price of
one currency against another. This is a permanent risk that will remain as long as currencies
remain the medium of exchange for commercial transactions. Market fluctuations of relative
currency values will continue to attract the attention of the exporter, the manufacturer, the
investor, the banker, the speculator, and the policy maker alike.
While doing business in foreign currency, a contract is signed and the company quotes a price
for the goods using a reasonable exchange rate. However, economic events may upset even the
best laid plans. Therefore, the company would ideally wish to have a strategy for dealing with
exchange rate risk.
Currency Hedging
Currency hedging is technique used to avoid the risks associated with the changing value of
currency while doing transactions in international trade. It is possible to take steps to hedge
foreign currency risk. This may be done through one of the following options:
 Billing foreign deals in Indian Rupees: This insulates the Indian exporter from currency
fluctuations. However, this may not be acceptable to the foreign buyer. Most of
international trade transactions take place in one of the major foreign currencies USD,
Euro, Pounds Sterling, and Yen.
 Forward contract. You agree to sell a fixed amount of foreign exchange (to convert this
into your currency) at a future date, allowing for the risk that the buyer’s payments are
late.
 Options: You buy the right to have currency at an agreed rate within an agreed period.
For example, if you expect to receive $35,000 in 3 months, time you could buy an option
to convert $35,000 into your currency in 3 months. Options can be more expensive than a
forward contract, but you don't need to compulsorily use your option.
 Foreign currency bank account and foreign currency borrowing: These may be suitable
where you have cost in the foreign currency or in a currency whose exchange rate is
related to that currency.
FOREX Market
Forex market is one of the largest financial markets in the world, where buyers and sellers
conduct foreign exchange transactions. Its important in the international trade can be estimated
with the fact that average daily trade in the global forex markets is over US $ 3 trillion. We shall
touch upon some important topics that affect the risk profile of an International transaction.
Spot Rate
Also known as "benchmark rates", "straightforward rates"or "outright rates", spot rates is an
agreement to buy or sell currency at the current exchange rate. The globally accepted

settlementcycle for foreignexchange contracts is two days. Foreignexchange contracts are

therefore settled on the second day after the day the deal is made.
Forward Price
Forward price is a fixed price at which a particular amount of a commodity, currency or security
is to be delivered on a fixed date in the future, possibly as for as a year ahead. Traders agree to
buy and sell currencies for settlement at least three days later, at predetermined exchange rates.
This type of transaction often is used by business to reduce their exchange rate risk.
Forward Price vs. Spot Price
Theoretically it is possible for a forward price of a currency to equal its spot price However,
interest rates must be considered . The interest rate can be earned by holding different currencies
usually varies, therefore forward price can be higher or lower than (at premium or discount to )
the spot prices.
RBI Reference Rate

There reference rate given by RBI is based on 12 noon rates of a few selected banks in Mumbai.
Inter Bank Rates
Interbank rates rates quotes the bank for buying and selling foreign currency in the inter bank
market, which works on wafer thin margins . For inter bank transactions the quotation is up to
four decimals with the last two digits in multiples of 25.
Telegraphic Transfer
Telegraphic transfer or in short TT is a quick method of transfer money from one bank to another
bank. TT method of money transfer has been introduced to solve the delay problems caused by
cheques or demand drafts. In this method, money does not move physically and order to pay is
wired to an institutions’ casher to make payment to a company or individual. A cipher code is
appended to the text of the message to ensure its integrity and authenticity during transit. The
same principle applies with Western Union and Money Gram.
Currency Rate
The Currency rate is the rate at which the authorized dealer buys and sells the currency notes to
its customers. It depends on the TC rate and is more than the TC rate for the person who is
buying them.
Cross Rate
In inter bank transactions all currencies are normally traded against the US dollar, which
becomes a frame of reference. So if one is buying with rupees a currency X which is not
normally traded, one can arrive at a rupeeexchange rate by relating the rupee $ rate to the $X rate
. This is known as a cross rate.
Long and Short

When you go long on a currency, its means you bought it and are holding it in the expectation
that it will appreciate in value. By contrast, going short means you reselling currency in the
expectation that what you are selling will depreciate in value.

Bid and Ask

Bids are the highest price that the seller is offering for the particular currency. On the other hand,
ask is the lowest price acceptable to the buyer.Together, the two prices constitute a quotation and
the difference between the price offered by a dealer willing to sell something and the price he is
willing to pay to buy it back.
The bidask spread is amount by which the ask price exceeds the bid. This is essentially the
difference in price between the highest price thata buyer is willing to pay for an asset and the
lowest price for whicha seller is willing to sell it.
For example, if the bid price is $20 and the ask price is $21 then the "bidask spread" is $1.
The spread is usually rates as percentage cost of transacting in the forex market, which is
computed as follow :
Percent spread =(Ask priceBid price)/Ask price *100
The main advantage of bid and ask methods is that conditions are laid out in advance and
transactions can proceed with no further permission or authorization from any participants.
When any bid and ask pair are compatible, a transaction occurs, in most cases automatically.
Buying and Selling
In terms of foreign exchange, buying means purchasing a certain amount of the foreign currency
at the bid or buying price against the delivery /crediting of a second currency which is also called
counter currency.
On the other hand, selling refers to a fix amount of foreign currency at the offered or selling
price against the receipt / debiting of another currency.
FOREX Rates vs. Interest Rates
Forex rates or exchange rate is the price of a country's currency in terms of another country's
currency. It specifies how much one currency is worth in terms of the other. For example a forex
rate of 123 Japanese yen (JPY, ¥) to the United States dollar (USD, $) means that JPY 123 is
worth the same as USD 1.
Choice of currency and its interest rate is a major concern in the international trade. Investors are
easily attracted by the higher interest rates which in turns also effects the economy of a nation
and its currency value.
For an example, if interest rate on INR were substantially higher than the interest rate on USD,
more USD would be converted into INR and pumped into the Indian economic system. This
would result in appreciation of the INR, resulting in lower conversion rates of USD against INR,
at the time of reconversion into USD.
Calculating the Forward Rates
A forward rate is calculated by calculating the interest rate difference between the two currencies
involved in the transactions. For example, if a client is buying a 30 days US dollar then, the
difference between the spot rate and the forward rate will be calculated as follow:

The US dollars are purchased on the spot market at an appropriate rate, what causes the forward
contract rate to be higher or lower is the difference in the interest rates between India and the
United States.
The interest rate earned on US dollars is less than the interest rate earned on Indian Rupee (INR).
Therefore, when the forward rates are calculated the cost of this interest rate differential is added
to the transaction through increasing the rate.
USD 100,000 X 1.5200 = INR 152,000
INR 152,000 X 1% divided by 12 months = INR 126.67
INR 152,000 + INR 126.67 = INR 152,126.67
INR 152,126.67/USD 100,000 = 1.5213

Export Import (EXIM) Policy Benefits for Export Business.

Introduction
Export Import Policy or better known as Exim Policy is a set of guidelines and instructions
related to the import and export of goods. The Government of India notifies the Exim Policy for
a period of five years (1997 2002) under Section 5 of the Foreign Trade (Development and
Regulation Act), 1992. The current policy covers the period 2002 2007. The Export Import
Policy is updated every year on the 31st of March and the modifications, improvements and new
schemes becames effective from 1st April of every year. All types of changes or modifications
related to the Exim Policy is normally announced by the Union Minister of Commerce and
Industry who coordinates with the Ministry of Finance, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade
and its network of regional offices.
Highlight of Exim Policy 2002 - 07

1. Service Exports
Duty free import facility for service sector having a minimum foreign exchange earning of Rs.
10 lakhs. The duty free entitlement shall be 10% of the average foreign exchange earned in the
preceding three licensing years.
However, for hotels the same shall be 5 % of the average foreign exchange earned in the
preceding three licensing years. Imports of agriculture and dairy products shall not be allowed
for imports against the entitlement. The entitlement and the goods imported against such
entitlement shall be non transferable.
2. Status Holders
1. Duty free import entitlement for status holder having incremental growth of more than
25% in FOB value of exports (in free foreign exchange). This facility shall however be
available to status holder having a minimum export turnover of Rs. 25 crore (in free
foreign exchange).
2. Annual Advance Licence facility for status holder to be introduced to enable them to plan
for their imports of raw material and component on an annual basis and take advantage of
bulk purchase.
3. Status holder in STPI shall be permitted free movement of professional equipments like
laptop/computer.
3. Hardware/Software
1. To give a boost to electronic hardware industry, supplies of all 217 ITA1 items from
EHTP units to Domestic Tariff Area (DTA) shall qualify for fulfillment of export
obligation.

2. To promote growth of exports in embedded software, hardware shall be admissible for

duty free import for testing and development purpose. Hardware up to a value of US$
10,000 shall be allowed to be disposed off subject to STPI certification.
3. 100% depreciation to be available over a period of 3 years to computer and computer
peripherals for units in EOU/EHTP/STP/SEZ.
4. Gem & Jewellery Sector
1. Diamonds & Jewellery Dollar Account for exporters dealing in purchase /sale of
diamonds and diamond studded jewellery .
2. Nominated agencies to accept payment in dollar for cost of import of precious metals
from EEFC account of exporter.
3. Gem & Jewellery units in SEZ and EOUs can receive precious metal
Gold/silver/platinum prior to export or post export equivalent to value of jewellery
exported. This means that they can bring export proceeds in kind against the present
provision of bringing in cash only.
5. Removal of Quantitative Restrictions
1. Import of 69 items covering animals products, vegetables and spice antibiotics and films
removed from restricted list
2. Export of 5 items namely paddy except basmati, cotton linters, rare, earth, silk, cocoons,
family planning device except condoms, removed from restricted list.
6. Special Economic Zones Scheme
1. Sales from Domestic Tariff Area (DTA) to SEZ to be treated as export. This would now
entitle domestic suppliers to Duty Drawback / DEPB benefits, CST exemption and
Service Tax exemption.
2. Agriculture/Horticulture processing SEZ units will now be allowed to provide inputs and
equipments to contract farmers in DTA to promote production of goods as per the
requirement of importing countries.
3. Foreign bound passengers will now be allowed to take goods from SEZs to promote
trade, tourism and exports.
4. Domestics sales by SEZ units will now be exempt from SAD.
5. Restriction of one year period for remittance of export proceeds removed for SEZ units.
6. Netting of export permitted for SEZ units provided it is between same exporter and
importer over a period of 12 months.
7. SEZ units permitted to take job work abroad and exports goods from there only.
8. SEZ units can capitalize import payables.
9. Wastage for sub contracting/exchange by gem and jewellery units in transactions
between SEZ and DTA will now be allowed.
10. Export/Import of all products through post parcel /courier by SEZ units will now be
allowed.
11. The value of capital goods imported by SEZ units will now be amortized uniformly over
10 years.

12. SEZ units will now be allowed to sell all products including gems and jewellery through
exhibition and duty free shops or shops set up abroad.
13. Goods required for operation and maintenance of SEZ units will now be allowed duty
free.
7. EOU Scheme
Provision b,c,i,j,k and l of SEZ (Special Economic Zone) scheme , as mentioned above, apply to
Export Oriented Units (EOUs) also. Besides these, the other important provisions are:
1. EOUs are now required to be only net positive foreign exchange earner and there will
now be no export performance requirement.
2. Period of Utilization raw materials prescribed for EOUs increased from 1 years to 3
years.
3. Gems and jewellery EOUs are now being permitted sub contracting in DTA.
4. Gems and jewellery EOUs will now be entitled to advance domestic sales.
8. EPCG Scheme
1. The Export Promotion Capital Goods (EPCG) Scheme shall allow import of capital
goods for preproduction and post production facilities also.
2. The Export Obligation under the scheme shall be linked to the duty saved and shall b 8
times the duty saved.
3. To facilities upgradation of existing plant and machinery, import of spares shall be
allowed under the scheme.
4. To promote higher value addition in export, the existing condition of imposing an
additional Export Obligation of 50% for products in the higher product chain to be done
away with.
5. Greater flexibility for fulfillment of export obligation under the scheme by allowing
export of any other product manufactured by the exporter. This shall take care of the
dynamics of international market.
6. Capital goods up to 10 years old shall also be allowed under the Scheme.
7. To facilitate diversification in to the software sector, existing manufacturer exporters will
be allowed of fulfill export obligation arising out of import of capital goods under the
scheme for setting up of software units through export of manufactured goods of the
same company.
8. Royalty payments received from abroad and testing charges received in free foreign
exchange to be counted for discharge of export obligation under EPCG Scheme.
9. DEPB Scheme
1. Facility for pro visional Duty Entitlement Pass Book(DEPB) rates introduced to
encourage diversification and promote export of new products.
2. DEPB rates rationalize in line with general reduction in Customs duty.

10. DFRC Scheme
1. Duty Free Replenishment Certificate (DFRC) scheme extended to deemed export to

provide a boost to domestic manufacturer.
2. Value addition under DFRC scheme reduced from 33% to 25%.
11. Miscellaneous
1. Actual user condition for import of second hand capital goods up to 10 years old
dispensed with.
2. Reduction in penal interest rate from 24% to 15% for all old cases of default under Exim
policy
3. Restriction on export of warranty spares removed.
4. IEC holder to furnish online return of importers/exporters made on yearly basis.
5. Export of free of cost goods for export promotion @ 2% of average annual exports in
preceding three years subject to ceiling of Rs. 5 lakhs permitted.

Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) for Export

Import Foreign Exchange.
Introduction
Foreign Exchange Management Act or in short (FEMA) is an act that provides guidelines for the
free flow of foreign exchange in India. It has brought a new management regime of foreign
exchange consistent with the emerging frame work of the World Trade Organisation (WTO).
Foreign Exchange Management Act was earlier known as FERA (Foreign Exchange Regulation
Act), which has been found to be unsuccessful with the proliberalisation policies of the
Government of India.
FEMA is applicable in all over India and even branches, offices and agencies located outside
India, if it belongs to a person who is a resident of India.
Some Highlights of FEMA
 It prohibits foreign exchange dealing undertaken other than an authorised person;

 It also makes it clear that if any person residing in India, received any Forex payment
(without there being a corresponding inward remittance from abroad) the concerned
person shall be deemed to have received they payment from a nonauthorised person.
 There are 7 types of current account transactions, which are totally prohibited, and
therefore no transaction can be undertaken relating to them. These include transaction
relating to lotteries, football pools, banned magazines and a few others.
 FEMA and the related rules give full freedom to Resident of India (ROI) to hold or own
or transfer any foreign security or immovable property situated outside India.
 Similar freedom is also given to a resident who inherits such security or immovable
property from an ROI.
 An ROI is permitted to hold shares, securities and properties acquired by him while he
was a Resident or inherited such properties from a Resident.
 The exchange drawn can also be used for purpose other than for which it is drawn
provided drawl of exchange is otherwise permitted for such purpose.
 Certain prescribed limits have been substantially enhanced. For instance, residence now
going abroad for business purpose or for participating in conferences seminars will not
need the RBI's permission to avail foreign exchange up to US$. 25,000 per trip
irrespective of the period of stay, basic travel quota has been increased from the existing
US$ 3,000 to US$ 5,000 per calendar year.
Buyers's /Supplier's Credit

Trade Credit have been subjected to dynamic regulation over a period of last two years. Now,
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) vide circular number A.P. (DIR Series) Circular No. 24, Dated
November 1, 2004, has given general permission to ADs for issuance of Guarantee/ Letter of
Undertaking (LoU) / Letter of Comfort (LoC) subject to certain terms and conditions . In view of
the above, we are issuing consolidated guidelines and process flow for availing trade credit .

1. Definition of Trade Credit : Credit extended for imports of goods directly by the overseas
supplier, bank and financial institution for original maturity of less than three years from
the date of shipment is referred to as trade credit for imports.
Depending on the source of finance, such trade credit will include supplier's credit or
buyers credit , Supplier 's credit relates to credit for imports into India extended by the
overseas supplier , while Buyers credit refers to loans for payment of imports in to India
arranged by the importer from a bank or financial institution outside India for maturity of
less than three years.
It may be noted that buyers credit and suppliers credit for three years and above come
under the category of External Commercial Borrowing (ECB), which are governed by
ECB guidelines. Trade credit can be availed for import of goods only therefore interest
and other charges will not be a part of trade credit at any point of time.
2. Amount and tenor : For import of all items permissible under the Foreign Trade Policy
(except gold), Authorized Dealers (ADs) have been permitted to approved trade credits
up to 20 millions per import transaction with a maturity period ( from the date of
shipment) up to one year.
Additionally, for import of capital goods, ADs have been permitted to approved trade
credits up to USD 20 millions transactions with a maturity period of more than one year
and less than three years. No roll over/ extension will be permitted by the AD beyond the
permissible period.
3. All in cost ceiling : The all in cost ceiling are as under: Maturity period up to one year 6
months LIBOR +50 basis points.
Maturity period more than one year but less than three years 6 months LIBOR* + 125
basis point
* for the respective currency of credit or applicable benchmark like EURIBOR., SIBOR,
TIBOR, etc.
4. Issue of guarantee, letter of undertaking or letter of comfort in favour of overseas lender :
RBI has given general permission to ADs for issuance of guarantee / Letter of
Undertaking (LOU) / Letter of Comfort (LOC) in favour of overseas supplier, bank and
financial instruction, up to USD 20 millions per transaction for a period up to one year
for import of all non capital goods permissible under Foreign Trade Policy (except gold)
and up to three years for import of capital goods.
In case the request for trade credit does not comply with any of the RBI stipulations, the
importer needs to have approval from the central office of RBI.
FEMA regulations have an immense impact in international trade transactions and

different modes of payments.RBI release regular notifications and circulars, outlining its
clarifications and modifications related to various sections of FEMA.

FEDAI Guidelines for Foreign Exchange.

Established in 1958, FEDAI (Foreign Exchange Dealers' Association of India) is a group of
banks that deals in foreign exchange in India as a self regulatory body under the Section 25 of
the Indian Company Act (1956).
The role and responsibilities of FEDAI are as follows:
 Formulations of FEDAI guidelines and FEDAI rules for Forex business.

 Training of bank personnel in the areas of Foreign Exchange Business.
 Accreditation of Forex Brokers.
 Advising/Assisting member banks in settling issues/matters in their dealings.
 Represent member banks on Government/Reserve Bank of India and other bodies.
 Rules of FEDAI also include announcement of daily and periodical rates to its member
banks.
FEDAI guidelines play an important role in the functioning of the markets and work in close
coordination with Reserve Bank of India (RBI), other organizations like Fixed Income Money
Market and Derivatives Association (FIMMDA), the Forex Association of India and various
other market participants.
What is LC (Letter of Credit) in finance and what is the

procedure of LC while export & import?
A letter of credit is a document provided for a buyer by a bank that is a promise to pay upon the
seller meeting certain conditions.. E.g., co. A manufactures mobile homes in Salem, OR. Co. B is
located in Brazilia, Brazil. Co. B would like to buy a trailer from company A, but company A
isn't too hot on the idea (not knowing where Brazilia is and not really knowing who Co. B is.) To
entice Co. A to ship the trailer, Co. B contacts the National Bank of Brazil and asks for a letter of
credit. The banker knows Co. B, as they maintain their checking accounts with that Bank and
agrees, telling Co. B that the relevant fees will be put in escrow until Co. A delivers as promised.
Co. A takes the letter of credit to his banker (US National Bank in downtown Salem) and the
details of transfer are worked out so that both the shipper (Co. A) and the receiver (Co. B) are
pleased with the transaction. As you can tell, the arrangement might be rather complex. Unless
you know what you're doing, find a freight forwarder who can help you with the details.

Export-Import Information

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Export-Import Information

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Export-Import Information

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

2011

GOKUL REFOILS & SOLVENT LTD, GANDHIDHAM Suresh Chaudhary 2

Payment Methods in Export Import Trade.

There are basically two type of clean payments:

2. Payment Collection of Bills in International Trade

There are two methods of collections of bill :

GOKUL REFOILS & SOLVENT LTD, GANDHIDHAM Suresh Chaudhary 3

Documents Against Payment D/P

Documents Against Acceptance D/A

3. Letter of Credit L/c

Various types of L/Cs are :

Revocable & Irrevocable Letter of Credit (L/c)

Sight & Time Letter of Credit

Confirmed Letter of Credit (L/c)

GOKUL REFOILS & SOLVENT LTD, GANDHIDHAM Suresh Chaudhary 4

Payments collection methods in Export Import International

Collection Against Bills is published by International Chambers of Commerce (ICC), Paris,

Role of Various Parties

 Check that the documents for consistency.

The buyer / importer is the drawee of the Bill.

GOKUL REFOILS & SOLVENT LTD, GANDHIDHAM Suresh Chaudhary 5

 Act as the remitting bank's agent

If the bill is unpaid / unaccepted, the collecting bank :

Documents Against Payments (D/P)

GOKUL REFOILS & SOLVENT LTD, GANDHIDHAM Suresh Chaudhary 6

Docuemts Against Aceptance (D/A)

 He finds that the goods are not what he ordered.

Usance D/P Bills

GOKUL REFOILS & SOLVENT LTD, GANDHIDHAM Suresh Chaudhary 7

GOKUL REFOILS & SOLVENT LTD, GANDHIDHAM Suresh Chaudhary 8

Letter of Credit(L/c) Documentary Collection.

Parties to Letters of Credit

 Applicant (Opener): Applicant which is also referred to as account party is normally a

GOKUL REFOILS & SOLVENT LTD, GANDHIDHAM Suresh Chaudhary 9

 Reimbursing Bank : Reimbursing Bank is the bank authorized to honor the

Types of Letter of Credit

2. Irrevocable Letter of CreditL/c

GOKUL REFOILS & SOLVENT LTD, GANDHIDHAM Suresh Chaudhary 10

3. Confirmed Letter of Credit L/c

4. Sight Credit and Usance Credit L/c

5. Back to Back Letter of Credit L/c

The parties to a BacktoBack Letter of Credit are:

The need for such credits arise mainly when :

1. The ultimate buyer not ready for a transferable credit

6. Transferable Letter of Credit L/c

GOKUL REFOILS & SOLVENT LTD, GANDHIDHAM Suresh Chaudhary 11

1. Reduce the amount of the credit.

Standby Letter of Credit L/c

Import Operations Under L/c

 When a importer is importing goods within its own country.

GOKUL REFOILS & SOLVENT LTD, GANDHIDHAM Suresh Chaudhary 12

Fees And Reimbursements

The different charges/fees payable under import L/c is briefly as follows

Risk Associated with Opening Imports L/cs

GOKUL REFOILS & SOLVENT LTD, GANDHIDHAM Suresh Chaudhary 13

1. The financial standing of the importer

Export Operations Under L/c

1. Advising an Export L/c

GOKUL REFOILS & SOLVENT LTD, GANDHIDHAM Suresh Chaudhary 14