Get an LC Your Supplier Accepts and Get Paid on Time: Documentary Letter of Credit Services
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Documentary Letter of Credit Services for Importers and Exporters
Financely's documentary letter of credit services for importers and exporters cover structuring, bank placement, confirmation, document checks and discounting, so the buyer gets an LC its supplier accepts and the seller gets paid on a complying presentation.
We are an advisor and arranger, not a bank. We work with issuing and confirming banks and trade finance lenders to place each credit where it fits.
What we deliver
For importers
- LC terms and document list drafted against your sales contract
- Issuing bank placement, including partial-margin options
- Sight or usance LCs with optional UPAS
- Margin support through credit enhancement where the bank requires it
For exporters
- Review of incoming LCs before shipment
- Confirmation by a second bank to remove issuer and country risk
- Pre-presentation checks against common UCP 600 discrepancies
- LC discounting for early payment
How an LC moves from application to payment
- Application (Importer) We prepare the LC application, draft terms and the required document list, and match the buyer with an issuing bank willing to take the credit.
- Issuance (Issuing bank) The bank issues the credit by SWIFT MT700 under UCP 600 and sends it to the advising bank in the exporter's country.
- Advice and confirmation (Exporter) The exporter checks the terms against the sales contract. Where issuing bank or country risk is a concern, we arrange confirmation by a second bank.
- Shipment (Exporter) Goods ship and the exporter gathers the bill of lading, invoice, packing list, certificates and inspection reports.
- Presentation (Exporter) Documents go to the nominated bank within the presentation period. We pre-check them for discrepancies first.
- Examination (Banks) Banks have up to five banking days after presentation to examine documents under UCP 600.
- Payment (Issuing bank) At sight, payment follows a complying presentation. Under a usance LC, the bank accepts and pays at maturity, and the exporter can discount early.
Who it is for
Importers buying commodities, equipment or finished goods whose suppliers want bank-backed payment, and exporters selling into markets where open account is too risky. For standby instruments, see our SBLC services. For financing the trade itself, see structured commodity finance.
Need an LC issued, confirmed or discounted?
Send the contract, amount, tenor, counterparties and your bank details. We will set out the route, the banks and the costs.
Frequently asked questions
Does Financely issue letters of credit?
No. Financely is an advisor and arranger. We structure the LC and place it with issuing and confirming banks, which issue under their own credit approval.
Can an importer get an LC without 100% cash margin?
Sometimes. Banks may accept partial margin backed by a credit line, third-party collateral or credit enhancement, depending on the importer's financials and the trade.
Can an exporter get paid before the LC matures?
Yes. A usance LC accepted by a creditworthy bank can be discounted or forfaited, giving the exporter cash before maturity.
Which rules apply to documentary letters of credit?
Most are issued subject to UCP 600, published by the International Chamber of Commerce, with eUCP for electronic presentations.
This page is for general information only and does not constitute legal, tax or investment advice. Financely is an advisory and arranging firm, not a bank, lender or broker-dealer. Any letter of credit is subject to the issuing and confirming banks' KYC, credit approval, documentation and fees, and no outcome or timeline is guaranteed.
Independent Capital Advisory
About Financely
Financely arranges structured debt for trade finance, project finance, commercial real estate and acquisitions. We underwrite each transaction first, then place it with banks, private credit funds and specialty lenders.
We are not a lender or broker-dealer. Every mandate is principal-led, so lenders receive a credit-ready file rather than a pitch.
- 25+ years combined experience
- UCP 600 and ISP98
- KYC and AML first
- Structured Debt
- Trade Finance
- Project Finance
- Acquisitions
Financely is an advisory and arranging firm. All financing is subject to KYC, AML, due diligence and lender credit approval. No outcome or timeline is guaranteed.
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