Trade Finance

Payment structures must protect commercial interests without creating documentary conditions that cannot be performed.

Letter of Credit at sight

A bank undertaking to pay against presentation of documents that comply with the credit. Every condition should be operationally clear before shipment.

Documentary collection

Commercial and transport documents are handled through banking channels, but without the same independent bank payment undertaking as a documentary credit.

Open-account structures

Appropriate only where credit approval, transaction history, limits and risk controls support the exposure.

Documentary discipline matters.

Names, addresses and bank details must match verified entities.
Required documents must be obtainable within the shipment timetable.
Descriptions, tolerances and dates should be internally consistent.
Amendment responsibility and cost should be agreed.
Sanctions, currency and correspondent-bank constraints should be considered early.

Information on this page is general. Each payment structure requires transaction-specific banking, legal, compliance and credit review.