国际贸易结算的各种方式

国际贸易结算
国际贸易经常发生货款结算，以结清买卖之间的债权债务关系，这种结算称为国际贸易结算。国际贸易结算是以物品交易、货钱两清为基础的有形贸易结算。
　　结算票据的种类　国际贸易中使用的票据包括汇票、本票、支票以使用汇票为主。
　　汇票    是由一人向另一人签发的书面无条件支付命令，要求对方（接受命令的人）即期或定期或在可以确定的将来时间，向某人或指定人或持票来人支付一定金额。汇票可以分为以下几种：
　　按出票人的不同──银行汇票、商业汇票
　　银行汇票（banker’s draft）是出票人和付款人均为银行的汇票。
　　商业汇票（commercial draft）是出票人为企业法人、公司、商号或者个人，付款人为其它商号、个人或者银行的汇票。
　　按有无附属单据──光票汇票、跟单汇票
　　光票（clena bill）汇票本身不附带货运单据，银行汇票多为光票。
　　跟单汇票（documentary bill）又称信用汇票、押汇汇票，是需要附带提单、仓单、保险单、装箱单、商业发票等单据，才能进行付款的汇，商业汇票多为跟单汇票，在国际贸易中经常使用。
　　按付款时间──即期汇票、远期汇票
　　即期汇票（sight bill,demand bill）指持票人向付款人提示后对方立即付款，又称见票即付汇票。
　　远期汇票（time bill,usance bill）是在出票一定期限后或特定日期付款。在远期汇票中，记载一定的日期为到期日，于到期日付款的，为定期汇票，记载于出票日后一定期间付款的，为计期汇票；记载于见票后一定期间付款的，为注期汇票；将票面金额划为几份，并分别指定到期日的，为分期付款汇票。
　　按承兑人──商号承兑汇票、银行承兑汇票
　　商号承兑汇票（commercial acceptance bill）是以银行以外的任何商号或个人为承兑人的远期汇票。
　　银行承兑汇票（banker’s acceptance bill）承兑人是银行的远期汇票。
　　按流通地域──国内汇票、国际汇票。
　　本票　是一人向另一人签发的，保证即期或在可以预料的将来时间，由自己无条件支付给持票人一定金额的票据。
　　本票又可分为商业本票和银行本票。商业本票是由工商企业或个人签发的本票，也称为一般本票。商业本票可分为即期和远期的商业本票一般不具备再贴现条件，特别是中小企业或个人开出的远期本票，因信用保证不高，因此很难流通。银行本票都是即期的。在国际贸易结算中使用的本票大多是银行本票。
　　支票 是银行为付款人的即期汇票。具体说就是出票人（银行存款人）对银行（受票人）签发的，要求银行见票时立即付款的票据。出票人签发支票时，应在付款行存有不抵于票面金额的存款。如存款不足，持票人提会遭拒付，这种支票称为空头支票。开出空头支票的出票人要负法律责任。
　　支票可分为：
　　记名支票　是出票人在收款人栏中注明"付给某人"，"付给某人或其指定人"。这种支票转让流通时，须由持票人背书，取款时须由收款人在背面签字。
　　不记名支票　又称空白支票，抬头一栏注明"付给来人"。这种支票无须背书即可转让，取款时也无须在背面签字。
　　划线支票　在支票的票面上划两条平行的横向线条，此种支票的持票人不能提取现金，只能委托银行收款入帐。
　　保付支票　为了避免出票人开空头支票，收款人或持票人可以要求付款行在支票上加盖"保付"印记，以保证到时一定能得到银行付款。
　　转帐支票　发票人或持票人在普通支票上载明"转帐支付"，以对付款银行在支付上加以限制。
　　结算方式：信用证结算方式、汇付和托收结算方式、银行保证函、各种结算方式的结合使用
　　A、信用证结算方式
　　信用证（letter of credit）简称L/C）方式是银行信用介入国际货物买卖价款结算的产物。它的出现不仅在一定程度上解决了买卖双方之间互不信任的矛盾，而且还能使双方在使用信用证结算货款的过程中获得银行资金融通的便利，从而促进了国际贸易的发展。因此，被广泛应用于国际贸易之中，以致成为当今国际贸易中的一种主要的结算方式。
　　信用证是银行作出的有条件的付款承诺，即银行根据开证申请人的请求和指示，向受益人开具的有一定金额、并在一定期限内凭规定的单据承诺付款的书面文件；或者是银行在规定金额、日期和单据的条件下，愿代开证申请人承购受益人汇票的保证书。属于银行信用，采用的是逆汇法。
　　B、汇付和托收结算方式
　　汇付和托收是国际贸易中常用的货款结算方式。
　　a、汇付
　　汇付，又称汇款，是付款人通过银行，使用各种结算工具将货款汇交收款人的一种结算方式。属于商业信用，采用顺汇法。
　　汇付业务涉及的当事人有四个：付款人（汇款人remmitter）、收款人（payee或beneficiary）、汇出行（remittingbank）和汇入行（payingbank）。其中付款人（通常为进口人）与汇出行（委托汇出汇款的银行）之间订有合约关系，汇出行与汇入行（汇出行的代理行）之间订有代理合约关系。
　　在办理汇付业务时，需要由汇款人向汇出行填交汇款申请书，汇出行有义务根据汇款申请书的指示向汇入行发出付款书；汇入行收到会计示委托书后，有义务向收款人（通常为出口人）解付货款。但汇出行和汇行对不属于自身过失而造成的损失（如付款委托书在邮递途中遗失或延误等致使收款人无法或迟期收到货款）不承担责任，而且汇出对汇入行工作上的过失也不承担责任。
　　b、托收（collection）
　　托收 是出口人在货物装运后，开具以进口方为付款人的汇款人的汇票（随附或不随付货运单据），委托出口地银行通过它在进口地的分行或代理行代进口人收取货款一种结算方式。属于商业信用，采用的是逆汇法。
　　托收方式的当事人有委托人、托收行、代收行和付款人。委托人（principal），即开出汇票委托银行向国外付款人代收货款的人，也称为出票人（drawer），通常为出口人；托收行（remitting bank）即接受出口人的委托代为收款的出口地银行；代收行（collecting bank），即接受托收行的委托代付款人收取货款的进口地银行；付款人（payer或drawee），汇票上的付款人即托收的付付款人，通常为进口人。
　　上述当事人中，委托人与托收行之间、托收行与代收行之间都是委托代理关系，付款人与代收行之间则不存在任何法律关系，付款人是根据买卖合同付款的。所以，委托人能否收到货款，完全视进口人的信誉好坏，代收行与托收行均不承担责任。
　　在办理托收业务时，委托人要向托收行递交一份托收委托书，在该委托书中人出各种指示，托收行以至代收行均按照委托的指示向付款人代收货款。
　　C、银行保证函
　　银行保证函（banker’s letter of guarantee)，简写为L/G），又称银行保证书、银行保函、或简称保函，它是指银行应委托人的申请向受益人开立的一种书面凭证，保证申请人按规定履行合同，否则由银行负责偿付�
�款。
　　D、各种结算方式的结合使用
　　在国际贸易业务中，一笔交易的货款结算，可以只使用一种结算方式（通常如此），也可根据需要，例如不同的交易商品，不同的交易对象，不同的交易做法，将两种以上的结算方式结合使用，或有利于促成交易，或有利于安全及时收汇，或有利于妥善处理付汇。常见的不同结算使用的形式有：信用证与汇付结合、信用证与托收结合、汇付与银行保函或信用证结合
　　a、信用证与汇付结合
　　这是指一笔交易的货款，部分用信用证方式支付，余额用汇付方式结算。这种结算方式的结合形式常用于允许其交货数量有一定机动幅度的某些初级产品的交易。对此，经双方同意，信用证规定凭装运单据先付发票金额或在货物发运前预付金额若干成，余额待货到目的地（港）后或经再检验的实际数量用汇付方式支付。使用这种结合形式，必须首先订明采用的是何种信用证和何种汇付方式以及按信用证支付金额的比例。
　　b、信用证与托收结合
　　这是指一笔交易的货款，部分用信用证方式支付，余额用托收方式结算。这种结合形式的具体做法通常是：信用证规定受益人（出口人）开立两张汇票，属于信用证项下的部分货款凭光票支付，而其余额则将货运单据附在托收的汇票项下，按即期或远期付款交单方式托收。这种做法，对出口人收汇较为安全，对进口人可减少垫金，易为双方接受。但信用证必须订明信用证的种类和支付金额以及托收方式的种类，也必须订明"在全部付清发票金额后方可交单"的条款。
　　c、汇付与银行保函或信用证结合
　　汇付与银行保函或信用证结合使用的形式常用于成套设备、大型机械和大型交通运输工具（飞机、船舶等）等货款的结算。这类产品，交易金额大，生产周期大，往往要求买方以汇付方式预付部分货款或定金，其余大部分货款则由买方按信用证规定或开加保函分期付款或迟期付款。
　　此外，还有汇付与托收结合、托收与备用信用证或银行保函结和等形式。我们在开展对外经济贸易业务时，究竟选择那一种结合形式，可酌情而定。
　　票据风险与防范
　　票据作为国际结算中一种重要的支付凭证，在国际上使用十分广泛。由于票据种类繁多，性质各异，再加上大多数国内居民极少接触到国外票据，缺泛鉴别能力，因而在票据的使用过程中也存在着许多风险。
　　一、票据风险
　　A、在票据的风险防范方面，要注意以下几点：
　　１、贸易成交以前，一定要了解客户的资信，做到心中有数，防患于未然。特别是对那些资信不明的新客户以及那些外汇紧张、地区落后、国家局势动荡物客户。
　　2、对客商提交的票据一定要事先委托银行对外查实，以确保能安全收汇。
　　3、贸易成交前，买卖双方一定要签署稳妥、平等互利的销售合同。
　　4、在银行未收妥票款之前，不能过早发货以免货款两空。
　　5、即使收到世界上资信最好的银行为付款行的支票也并不等于将来一定会收到货款。近年来，国外不法商人利用伪造票据及汇款凭证在国内行骗的案件屡屡发生，且发案数呈上升趋势，对此不能掉以轻心。
　　B、汇票的风险与防范
　　在汇票的使用过程中，除了要注意以上所说的之外，还要注意遵循签发、承兑、使用汇票所必须遵守的原则：
　　1、使用汇票的单位必须是在银行开立帐户的法人；
　　2、签发汇票必须以合法的商品交易为基础，禁止签发无商品交易的汇票；
　　3、汇票经承兑后，承兑人即付款人负有无条件支付票款的责任；
　　4、汇票除向银行贴现外，不准流通转让。（注：这规定已被后来的银行结算办法所突破）。
　　C、如何识别真假本票
　　1、真本票系采用专用纸张印刷，纸质好，有一定防伪措施，而假本票只能采用市面上的普通纸张印刷，纸质差，一般比真本票所用纸张薄且软。
　　2、印刷真本票的油墨配方是保密的，诈骗分子很难得到，因此，只能以相似颜色的油墨印制，这样假本票票面颜色较真本票有一定差异。
　　3、真本票号码、字体规范整齐，而有的假本票号码、字体排列不齐，间隔不匀。
　　4、由于是非法印刷，假本票上签字也必然会假冒签字，与银行掌握的预留签字不符。
　进出口结算方式(英文版)
　Methods and Tools of Payment in Exporting and Importing
　　The process of exporting is incomplete without receipt of payment. Export income is considered earned only when payment has been received.
　　Letter of Credit (L/C)
　　The most popular and a safer method of payment is by a confirmed irrevocable letter of credit at sight. Please see Documentary Credits (Letters of Credit) for detail explanations.
　　Documentary Collections
　　Please click here for the detail information about documentary collections.
　　Documents Against Payment (D/P)
　　Documents Against Acceptance (D/A)
　　Cheque and Bank Draft
　　In exporting to the offshore countries, payment by cheque and bank draft occur more often in a small order, ranging from a few hundred to a couple of thousand U.S. dollars. Cheques and bank drafts are often used in open account and consignment trade arrangements.
　　Both large and small companies may default in their payments, regardless of the amount involved. In times of economic uncertainty, both large and small companies may go out of business. It is important to receive the cheque or bank draft before releasing the shipment. Unless the integrity of the importer is known, it is very important to wait until the cheque or bank draft has cleared before the shipment. International clearing of cheques and bank drafts takes 3 to 4 weeks usually (except in a sight draft with a paying bank in the seller’s country).
　　Not all cheques and bank drafts are genuine, and not all genuine cheques carry a cash value (please refer to the Fly-By-Night Importers for related information).
　　Trade Arrangements Using the Cheque and Bank Draft
　　Open Account
　　In an open account trade arrangement, the goods are shipped to a buyer without guarantee of payment. Quite often, the buyer does not pay on the agreed time. Unless the buyer’s integrity is unquestionable, this trade arrangement is risky to the seller.
　　Consignment
　　In a consignment trade arrangement, the seller ships the goods to the buyer when there is no purchase made. The buyer is obliged to pay the seller for the goods when sold. The seller retains title to the goods until the buyer has sold them.
　　Cash In Advance (CID)
　　The cash in advance, which is the safest term of payment, most often is effected using the cheque or bank draft. In some cases, the CID term is paid using the telegraphic transfer (T/T).
　　Telegraphic Transfer (T/T)
　　The telegraphic transfer—cable transfer or wire transfer—is the equivalent of a cash payment that can be credited directly to the seller’s account (the name and address of the seller’s bank and the seller’s bank account number are required by the buyer’s bank). It is fast and safe. Unlike a payment by cheque or bank draft, in which the mailing time alone may take several days to few weeks, plus the clearing time of 3 to 4 weeks for a total of about 4 to 6 weeks before the seller may receive the cash, by means of
T/T the seller may receive the cash in a few hours or days.
　　It is important to wait until the T/T has been received before making the shipment, especially when the integrity of the buyer is unknown.
　　Combination of Letter of Credit and Telegraphic Transfer
　　A combination of letter of credit (L/C) and telegraphic transfer (T/T) is a popular means of payment in the undervalue arrangement. The undervalue is an illegal way of reducing or avoiding the import duties and taxes by underdeclaring the price of imported goods. It is a sneaky way of bringing the landed cost of imported goods to a competitive level. The undervalue is being practiced in certain less developed countries, usually involving items whose import duties are relatively high. There is no need to undervalue the goods if the import duty is 10% or less. Sometimes, an item having a 15% rate of duty may not need to be undervalued too, depending on the method of import duty and sales tax calculations in the importing country.
　　The undervalue arrangement is highly risky. To avoid trouble the exporter should refrain from using this arrangement. Governments do not encourage exports by undervalue. If an exporter does not violate the foreign exchange control and tax laws of the exporting country and international laws such as copyright and patent, the government of the exporting country usually will not step into the exporter’s way in the undervalue arrangement.
　　The undervalue arrangement uses two sets of documents. For example, an importer contracted 1,000 pieces of product X at FOB US$8 each for a total of US$8,000. The importer may want to declare 25% only (10% to 50% of contract price is declared usually in the undervalue arrangement) or at US$2 each for a total of US$2,000. One set of documents will show 1,000 pieces of product X at US$2 each for a total of US$2,000, while the other set shows the true value.
　　The importer opens an L/C for US$2,000 and remits the US$6,000 balance by T/T. Following the foreign exchange control procedures on exports, the exporter must surrender a total of US$8,000 inward remittances to the government. While at the destination port, the importer pays the duties and taxes based on US$2,000, plus the ancillary expenses required in the arrangement. If the importer is caught at the port of destination, shipments may be seized by the customs.
　　The importer has to buy the dollar from the black market and remit it by T/T through a third country. Most often the T/T will not reach the exporter on the agreed time. Quite often, the shipment date arrives before the T/T reaches the exporter.
　　The undervalue arrangement hinges on mutual trust between exporter and importer. The importer has to be very careful because there is a danger that the exporter may run off after receiving the T/T. In the event of a sour relationship, the importer may run the risk of being blackmailed by the exporter through threat of exposing the private arrangement.
　　With the growing free trade around the world, the undervalue practice is diminishing.
　　Case Sample:
　　Hostage in Payment
　　An unusual situation the exporter may encounter is that the importer may request payment by a combination of letter of credit (L/C) and telegraphic transfer (T/T) on the pretext of undervalue. The importer may request to declare 80% (or on other percentage) of the contract price for a product having a duty rate of less than 10%, and may promise that the T/T portion of each preceding order will be remitted in the succeeding order. To an inexperienced exporter the request sounds all right, but it is not. The request is actually a scheme of ‘hostage taking’ of the T/T portion or 20% of the contract price, which is a lot of money over time. Do not expect that the T/T portion of the preceding order will come in on time as promised when the buyer places the next order. A fraction of the T/T from the first order will come in when the buyer books the third order.
The buyer holds the T/T portion as a hostage to ensure that the exporter will ship the next order, otherwise no payment will follow. Moreover, the buyer uses the T/T to deduct for allegedly defective products. The author once had such a customer from a developed country. At a time when the buyer owed the company close to US$9,000 in backlog payments, the buyer suddenly claimed that there were accumulated defective products worth nearly US$4,000. The author requested photographic proof but the buyer could not present it. The buyer insisted on deducting the amount otherwise they would not remit the balance payment. The company secretly hired an independent surveyor at the buyer’s country. The surveyor’s fee was based on an hourly rate plus the travelling expenses. The surveyor, armed with a letter of authority from the company, visited the buyer unannounced, following the company’s instructions. The truth ultimately came to light. The buyer was lying. The company exerted pressure on the buyer and he came to his senses. The balance amount, minus an amount for damaged products (less than US$300) was turned over.
多种结算方式的结合使用
在国际贸易业务中，一笔交易的货款结算，可以只使用一种结算方式(通常如此)，也可根据需要，例如不同的交易商品，不同的交易对象，不同的交易做法，将两种或两种以上的结算方式结合使用，或有利于促成交易，或有利于安全及时收汇，或有利于妥善处理付汇。常见的不同结算方式结合使用的形式有：

　　(一)信用证与汇付结合

　　这是指一笔交易的货款，部分用信用证方式支付，余额用汇付方式结算。这种结算方式的结合形式常用于允许其交货数量有一定机动幅度的某些初级产品的交易。对此，经双方同意，信用证规定凭装运单据先付发票金额或在货物发运前预付金额若干成，余额待货到目的地(港)后或经再检验的实际数量用汇付方式支付。使用这种结合形式，必须首先订明采用的是何种信用证和何种汇付方式以及按信用证支付金额的比例。

　　(二)信用证与托收结合

　　这是指一笔交易的货款，部分用信用证方式支付，余额用托收方式结算。这种结合形式的具体做法通常是：信用证规定受益人(出口人)开立两张汇票，属于信用证项下的部分货款凭光票支付，而其余额则将货运单据附在托收的汇票项下，按即期或远期付款交单方式托收。这种做法，对出口人收汇较为安全，对进口人可减少垫金，易为双方接受。但信用证必须订明信用证的种类和支付金额以及托收方式的种类，也必须订明“在全部付清发票金额后方可交单”的条款。

　　在合同中，对于信用证与托收结合方式的条款通常可作如下规定：“买方通过卖方可接受的银行于装运月份前××天开立并送达卖方不可撤销的即期信用证，规定发票金额的××％凭即期光票支付，下余××％用托收方式即期付款交单。发票金额100％的全套货 运单据随附托收项下，于买方付清发票全部金额后支出。如买方未付清全部发票金额，则货运单据须由开证行掌握凭卖方指示处理。”(The Buyers shall open through a bank acceptable to the Sellers an Irrevocable sight Letter of Credit to reach the Sellers ××days before the month of shipment, stipulating that ××％of invoice value available against clean draft at sight, while the remaining ××％ on documents against payment at sight on collection basis。The full set of the shipping documents of 100％ invoice value shall accompany the collection draft and shall only be released after full payment of the invoice value. If the Buyers fail to pay the full invoice value, the shipping
documents shall be held by issuing bank at the seller’s disposal.)

　　(三)汇付与银行保函或信用证结合
　　汇付与银行保函或信用证结合使用的形式常用于成套设备、大型机械和大型交通运输工具(飞机、船舶等)等货款的结算。这类产品，交易金额大，生产周期大，往往要求买方以汇付方式预付部分货款或定金，其余大部分货款则由买方按信用证规定或开加保函分期付款或迟期付款。
　　1.分期付款(Payment by Instalments, Progressive Payment) 是指在产品投产前、卖方提供出口许可证影印本和银行保函的情况下，买方用汇付方式先向卖方交付部分货款或订金；其余货款可按生产(或工程)进度和交货进度分期偿付，买方开立不可撤销信用证，即期付款。在分期付款条件下，最后一笔货款，一般在卖方完成全部交货责任或承担质量保证期满，经检验合格后再予付清。
　　2.迟期付款（Deferred Payment）是指买方先用汇付方式支付一定比例的货款或订金，其余货款可迟期偿付；有的还可规定，按生产（或工程）进度和交货进度分期支付部分货款，其余大部分货款在交货（或完工）后若干年内分期付清。

　　分期付款和迟期付款虽然在做法上颇为相似，但却有很大区别：
　　（1）分期付款是在交货时付清或基本付清货款，是一种即期付现，因此买方不存在利息负担问题；而迟期付款中的大部分货款是在交货后的一个较长时期内分期付清，是一种赊销，等于卖方提供一笔商业信代，因此，买方要向卖方支付利息。
　　（2）采用分期付款，货物所有权是在付清最后一笔货款时随即转移；而迟期付款的货物所有权一般是在货物交付时转移，但这对卖方有一定风险。
　　此外，还有汇付与托收结合、托收与备用信用证或银行保函结合等形式。我们在开展对外经济贸易业务时，究竟选择那一种结合形式，可酌情而定。
国际结算专用词汇
A  

Acceptance
The act of giving a written undertaking on the face of a usance bill of exchange to pay a stated sum on the maturity date indicated by the drawee of the bill, (usually in exchange for documents of title to goods shipped on D/A terms) – see Collections Introduction.
Acceptance Credit
A documentary credit which requires the beneficiary to draw a usance bill for subsequent acceptance by the issuing bank or the advising bank or any other bank as the credit stipulates – see Documentary Credits.
Accommodation Bill
In the context of fraud, a bill drawn without a genuine underlying commercial transaction.
Accountee
Another name for the applicant/opener of a documentary credit i.e. the importer = the person for whose account the transaction is made.
Advice of Fate
The Collecting Bank informs the Remitting Bank of non- payment/non-acceptance or (for D/A bills) of acceptance and the bill maturity date – see Handling Import Collections.
Advising
Act of conveying the terms and conditions of a DC to the beneficiary. The advising bank is the issuing bank agent, usually located in the beneficiary country – see Export – DC Advising.
Advising also involves authentication i.e. advising bank should take reasonable care to check the apparent authenticity of the credit (ICC UCC 500 Art 7).
Amendment
Alteration to the terms of a DC; amendments must stem from the applicant, be issued and advised to the beneficiary; the beneficiary has the right to refuse an amendment if the credit is irrevocable – see Amendments to DCs.
Applicant
One who applies to his bank to issue a documentary credit; in the majority of credits issued the applicant is an importer of goods
　
Avalise
The act by a bank in guaranteeing payment of a bill of exchange or promissory note by endorsing the reverse with the words good per aval and signed by the bank, or by the issuance of a separate guarantee.
　
B
　
Back-to-Back Credit
A credit issued against the security back of another credit (master credit) on the understanding that reimbursement will stem from documents eventually presented under the first credit (master credit) issued – see Special DCs. It follows therefore that each side of a B/B transaction covers the shipment of the same goods.
Beneficiary
A payee or recipient, usually of money.
A party in whose favour a documentary credit is established, usually the exporter.
Bill for Collection (BC)
Document(s) or cheque submitted through a bank for collection of payment from the drawee.
Bill of Exchange (B/E)
An unconditional order in writing, addressed by one person to another, signed by the person giving it, requiring the person to whom it is addressed to pay on demand or at fixed or determinable future time a sum certain in money to or to the order of a specified person, or to bearer.
Bill of Lading (B/L)
A receipt for goods for shipment by sea. It is a Document of Title: see Documents.
　
Bill Receivable (BR)
Bills which are financed by the receiving branch, whether drawn under a DC or not, are treated as BRs by both the remitting branch and the receiving branches – see Bills Receivable.
Blank Endorsed
When a bill of lading is made out to order or shipper order and the shipper has signed on the back of it, it is said to be blank endorsed. The bill of lading then becomes a bearer instrument and the holder can present it to the shipping company to take delivery of the goods.
　
C
Carrier
Person or company undertaking for hire the conveyance of goods e.g. shipping company
Case of Need
Agent nominated by a principal, to whom the collecting bank may refer in specified circumstances concerning collections – see the sections on Collections.
Chaser
Reminder sent by the collecting (or DC issuing) bank to the importer, repeating a request for payment – see Handling Import Collections.
Clean
Used to describe a draft/cheque with no shipping documents – see Collections Introduction.
Used to describe a bill of lading without clauses that expressly declare a defective condition of the goods or the packing.
Clean Bill Purchased
A collection bill purchased with no shipping Purchase documents – see Financing Export Collections.
Clean Bill Receivable (CBR)
BR (Bill Receivable) with no shipping documents. The term is more often used for non-trade bills such as travellers cheques.
Clean Collection
A draft with no documents Collection attached – see Collections ?Introduction?
Clean Import Loan (CIL)
A loan granted to an importer for payment of import bills, without the Bank having any claim to the goods.
Collection Bank
Bank in the drawee country that is instructed to collect payment from the drawee – see Collections Introduction.
Collection Order
Form submitted, with documents, to the Remitting/Negotiating Bank by an exporter with his instructions – see Collections ?Introduction.
Confirming
Act of a bank other than the issuing bank assuming the liability for payment, acceptance or negotiation of correctly presented documents under a DC – see Confirmation of DCs.
　
Consigment
Shipment of goods.
Consignee
The person/company/bank to whom the goods are delivered – usually the importer or the Collecting Bank – see Handling Import Collections.
Consignor
Also called shipper, is the person/company who sends goods by ship, by land or air.
Contingent Liability
A liability that arises only under specified conditions, e.g. when a bank opens a DC it incurs an obligation to make a future payment on condition that the terms are fully met.
D
　
DC Bills
　
Bills drawn under documentary credits.
　
Deferred Payment Credit (DPC)
　
A DC which allows the nomination of a bank, or th
e issuing bank to effect payment against stipulated documents at a maturity date as specified or determinable from the wording of the credit.
　
Demurrage
　
A charge made by a shipping company or a port authority for failure to load or remove goods within the time allowed.
　
Discounting

Act of purchasing an accepted usance bill of exchange at an amount less than the face value.　
Discrepancy
　
Any deviation from the terms and conditions of a DC, or the documents presented thereunder, or any inconsistency between the documents themselves – see Negotiation under DCs.
　
Dishonour
　
Non-payment or non-acceptance.
　
Documentary Credit (DC)
　
A conditional undertaking by a bank to make payment, often abbreviated to credit. More precisely, it is a written undertaking by a bank (issuing bank) given to the seller (beneficiary) at the request of the buyer (applicant) to pay a sum of money against presentation of documents complying with the terms of the credit within a set time limit.

Documents
　
The characteristics and importance of the various documents associated with Import/Export operations are explained and illustrated in Deciding on Documents.
　
Documents Against Acceptance (D/A)
　
Instruction for commercial documents to be released to the drawee on acceptance of the Bill of Exchange – see Collections ?Introduction.
　
Documents Against Payment (D/P)
　
Instruction for documents to be released to the drawee only on payment – see Collections ?Introduction.
　
Documents of Title
　
Documents that give their owner the right to the goods, i.e. Bill of Lading.
　
Draft
　
Bill of exchange issued by an exporter and submitted to his bank for collection, or under a DC – usually submitted with attached shipping documents – not to be confused with a bankers draft which is sometimes used as a vehicle for reimbursement.
　
Drawee
　
Party on whom a bill is drawn and the one to whom presentation is to be made according to the collection order – the importer (NB: for DC bills, the drawee is usually the DC issuing bank).
　
Drawer
　
The exporter, who draws the Bill of Exchange/draft which in itself is a claim for payment.
　
Due Date
　
Maturity date for payment
E 　

Expiry Date
　
Latest date, usually in the country of the beneficiary, on which negotiation/payment of a DC can take place.

F
 　
Financed Bills
 
Bills sent on collection in which the remitting branch has a financial interest.
　
Foreign Bill Purchased (FBP)
　
A bill remitted to a correspondent bank in which the remitting branch is financing the exporter – see Financing Export Collections.
　
Forward Exchange Contract
　
Contract between the Bank and its customer to buy/sell a fixed amount of foreign currency at a future date at a specified rate. This could be for a customer to make payment under a DC or to sell the proceeds received from an export negotiation.
　
Freight
　
Goods OR the cost of transporting goods.

G
　
General Average
　
Loss which is the result of a sacrifice voluntarily made or an expense incurred; for the sole purpose of saving a ship and its cargo in face of a common danger (e.g. jettison of cargo to lighten a ship in distress). The loss is borne proportionately by ship and cargo owners according to their respective interests in the voyage.
　
Gross Weight
　
The weight of the merchandise in its shipping form, i.e. including all its packaging.
　
I
　
ICC 322
　
Uniform Rules for Collections
　
ICC 323
　
Standard Forms for Issuing Documentary Credits
　
ICC 420
　
Guide to the Prevention of International Trade Fraud.
　
ICC 460
　
Incoterms 1990. Explains the 13 standard Incoterms.
　
ICC 500
　
Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits (1993 revision) replaced the previous ICC 400 as from 1 January 1994.
　
ICC 522
　
Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits (1995 revision) replaced the previous ICC 322 as from 1 January 1996.
　
Import License
　
A permit issued by the importing country’S authorities in respect of goods subject to import licensing restrictions.
　
Incoterms
　
Shipping Terms – see Introduction to International Trade.
　
Indemnity
　
Also known as Letter of Guarantee (L/G), it is an undertaking given in respect of discrepancies in documents presented under a credit. The beneficiary who issues the indemnity is primarily liable to repay funds received from the negotiating bank in settlement under the credit, if the negotiating bank cannot obtain reimbursement from the issuing bank as a result of documents being rejected by the applicant.

Inherent Vice
　
The propensity of a commodity to self-destruction which gives rise to a high insurance risk, therefore cover is given only after payment of an additional premium (e.g. fruit rots, coal-dust spontaneously ignites).
　
International Chamber of Commerce (ICC)
　
The international body which promotes and facilitates world trade, and which codifies world trade practices in various publications – see ICC Rules?under Introduction to International Trade.
　
Irrevocable Credit
　
Constitutes a definite undertaking of the issuing bank and the confirming bank, if any, to honour the credit provided the terms of the credit are observed. It may be advised to the beneficiary without engagement by the advising bank, and cannot be amended or cancelled unless the issuing bank, the confirming bank and the beneficiary agree.
　
Issuing Bank
　
The bank that opens a documentary credit at the request of its customer, the applicant.
　
Letter of Credit (L/C)
　
American term for documentary credit. In the United States, the terms D/C can often be confused for documentary collection.
　
Letter of Hypothecation
　
A promise to hold goods as security taken from customers who are granted loans against goods imported on a collection basis.
　
Loan Against Imports (LAI)
　
Loans granted to import customers for payment of bills. 　

M
　
Master Credit
　
In back-to-back operations, the original export credit against which the second credit is opened
　
Maturity
　
Due date of payment of a usance bill or promissory note.　
　
N
　
Negotiable/Non-Negotiable
　
Usually used with regard to Bills of Lading: a negotiable B/L is a valid document of title, while a non-negotiable B/L is not – the beneficiary of a DC (the exporter) may send the importer a non-negotiable B/L for information.
　
Negotiation
　
Purchase of drafts under a documentary credit which the issuing bank has undertaken to pay.
　
Net Weight
　
The weight of the merchandise before any packaging.
　
Non-DC Bills
　
Bills not drawn under DC i.e. sent on a collection basis (D/P or D/A). In common usage we distinguish between Non DC bills which are financed collections and DCs which are non-financed.
　
Non-Financed Bills
　
Bills sent on collection in which the remitting branch has no financial interest.
　
Noting
　
The first stage in protest of a dishonoured bill: if instructed to protest for non-payment/non- acceptance, the collecting bank must send the bill to a notary public who will represent it to the drawee on the same day it was refused, or the next business
day. If the drawee still refuses the bill the notary public notes on the bill: the amount of his charges, the date and his initials. The reason for refusal is shown on a note attached to the bill. The bill is then protested – see Protest.　

O
　
Opener
　
See Applicant.
　
Opening Bank
　
See Issuing Bank.
　
Order (To)
　
The phrase To Order is sometimes shown on Bills of Lading against consignee: this means that the Bill of Lading must be endorsed in blank by the shipper (i.e. not to any particular named party which makes it bearer document and it becomes transferable by delivery.)
P
　
Packing Credit
　
A loan given to the beneficiary by the bank to enable him to purchase raw materials. The beneficiary is usually requested to deposit the DC with the bank as security.
　
Past Due
　
Bill or loan that has not been paid on the maturity date/due date.
　
Paying Bank
　
The bank that makes payment to the beneficiary of a payment DC after presentation to it of documents stipulated in the DC.
　
Perils of the Seas
　
They are accidents or casualties of the sea. The ordinary actions of the winds and waves are not included. Heavy or tempestuous weather on a voyage is of sufficient violence to constitute a peril of the sea.
　
Power of Attorney
　
Authority given to one party to act for another.
　
Presentation
　
Act of requesting the importer抯 payment/acceptance of an import bill. – See Handling Import Collections.
　
Presenting Bank
　
The bank that requests payment of a collection bill – may be the Collecting Bank or its nominated branch or local correspondent, which is better placed to contact the importer.
　
Principal
　
The exporter in collection transactions, being the initiator of the transaction, whose instructions are followed at all stages (may be used to refer to any customer who initiates a transaction e.g. the opener of a DC).
　
Promissory Note
　
A signed statement containing a written promise to pay a stated sum to specified person at a specified date or on demand.
　
Protest
　
The formal representation of a dishonoured bill of exchange: the bill is presented by a notary public to the drawee – if refused again, it is noted?- see noting. The notary public then issues a formal protest, an official certificate that the bill has been refused: the drawer can use this certificate to sue the drawee in court.
R
　
Recourse
　
The right to claim a refund from another party which has handled a bill at an earlier stage.
　
Red Clause Credit
　
A credit with a clause which authorises the advising bank to make an advance payment to the beneficiary – see special DCs.
　
Reimbursing Bank
　
The bank nominated by the DC issuing bank that will pay the value of the DC to the negotiating/paying bank.
　
Remitting Bank
　
The exporter’s bank in collection transactions, which remits the bill to the collecting bank.
The exporter’s bank in DC transactions, which dispatches the documents to the issuing bank.
　
Retirement
　
The act of paying or settling an outstanding bill or import loan; i.e. payment by the importer to the Bank.
　
Revocable Credit
　
One that may be amended or cancelled without notice to the beneficiary.
　
Revolving Credit
　
A credit automatically reinstated after each drawing or upon receipt of authorisation from DC issuing bank, with limits as to the duration of the facility and as to the (cumulative or non-cumulative) amount involved for each drawing – see Special DCs.

S
　
Schedule
　
The Remitting/Negotiating Bank’s letter covering a bill sent to the Collecting/Issuing Bank, which lists the documents attached and gives collection and/or payment instructions.
　
Self-Liquidating
　
A transaction is said to be self-liquidating when there is a known source of funds available for its settlement on due date.
　
Shipment Date
　
The date inserted on the bills of lading evidencing goods received on board is regarded for documentary credit purposes as being the date of shipment.
　
Shipper
　
See consignor
　
Shipping Guarantee (SG)
　
Guarantees of this nature are required to enable customers to obtain goods before the arrival of the documents of title, and are issued to the shipping companies by the Bank against an undertaking to forward the bills of lading when they are received. The Bank normally take 100% cash margin against the value of the goods if the customer does not have T/R facility.　
Shipping Terms
　
See Incoterms
　
Sight
　
A bill payable at sight is payable on presentation to the drawee i.e. on demand.
　
Snags
　
Irregular bills; import and export.
　
Standby Credit
　
This may be established as security for facilities granted at another branch or bank, usually to a subsidiary of the DC applicant. – see Special DCs.
　
Status Report
　
Produced by a bank’s TCI department or a credit information bureau, giving details of the creditworthiness and business background of traders and manufacturers.
　
Substitution
　
The act whereby the prime beneficiary substitutes his own documents i.e. invoices and drafts, in back-to-back and transferable credit operations prior to negotiation of the master credits.
　
T
　
Tenor
　
Term or Period of credit granted by the drawer. See Usance Bill.
　
Tracer
　
See Chaser.
　
Trade and Credit Information (TCI)
　
A bank department that prepares and distributes status reports on its own customers, and maintains records of traders and manufacturers with whom its customers deal.
　
Transferable Credit
　
Permits the beneficiary to transfer all or some of the rights and obligations under the credit to a second beneficiary or beneficiaries – see Special DCs.
　
Transferee
　
A party (2nd beneficiary) to whom a transferable credit is transferred in whole or in part.
　
Transferor
　
A party (1st beneficiary) at whose request a transferable credit is transferred to a second beneficiary in whole or in part.

U
　
Uniform Customs and Practice for DCs
　
See ICC 500
　
Uniform Rules for Collections
　
See ICC 522
　
Usance Bill
　
A Bill of Exchange which allows the drawee a term or period of credit (this period is also called usance).
The term is usually stated in days (e.g. 30 days) or months and starts either from the date of the bill (e.g. 30 days date) or from the date of bill of lading, or from sight by the drawee (e.g. 30 days sight) which in practice means from the date of acceptance.
An essential feature of acceptance credits and D/A collections.
W
　
Waive
　
To relinquish a right: used in collections with BC charges and/or interest to be collected from the drawee: these can be waived in certain circumstances as set out in ICC 522.
结算票据的种类
国际贸易中使用的票据包括汇票、本票、支票以使用汇票为主。
汇票 是由一人向另一人签发的书面无条件支付命令，要求对方（接受命令的人）即期或定期或在可以确定的将来时间，向某人或指定人或持票来人支付一定金额。汇票可以分为以下几种：
按出票人的不同──银行汇票、商业汇票
银行汇票（banker’s draft）是出票人和付款人均为银行的汇票。
商
业汇票（commercial draft）是出票人为企业法人、公司、商号或者个人，付款人为其它商号、个人或者银行的汇票。
按有无附属单据──光票汇票、跟单汇票
光票（clena bill）汇票本身不附带货运单据，银行汇票多为光票。
跟单汇票（documentary bill）又称信用汇票、押汇汇票，是需要附带提单、仓单、保险单、装箱单、商业发票等单据，才能进行付款的汇，商业汇票多为跟单汇票，在国际贸易中经常使用。
按付款时间──即期汇票、远期汇票
即期汇票（sight bill,demand bill）指持票人向付款人提示后对方立即付款，又称见票即付汇票。
远期汇票（time bill,usance bill）是在出票一定期限后或特定日期付款。在远期汇票中，记载一定的日期为到期日，于到期日付款的，为定期汇票，记载于出票日后一定期间付款的，为计期汇票；记载于见票后一定期间付款的，为注期汇票；将票面金额划为几份，并分别指定到期日的，为分期付款汇票。
按承兑人──商号承兑汇票、银行承兑汇票
商号承兑汇票（commercial acceptance bill）是以银行以外的任何商号或个人为承兑人的远期汇票。
银行承兑汇票（banker’s acceptance bill）承兑人是银行的远期汇票。
按流通地域──国内汇票、国际汇票。
本票是一人向另一人签发的，保证即期或在可以预料的将来时间，由自己无条件支付给持票人一定金额的据。
本票又可分为商业本票和银行本票。商业本票是由工商企业或个人签发的本票，也称为一般本票。商业本票可分为即期和远期的商业本票一般不具备再贴现条件，特别是中小企业或个人开出的远期本票，因信用保证不高，因此很难流通。银行本票都是即期的。在国际贸易结算中使用的本票大多是银行本票。
支票是银行为付款人的即期汇票。具体说就是出票人（银行存款人）对银行（受票人）签发的，要求银行见票时立即付款的票据。出票人签发支票时，应在付款行存有不抵于票面金额的存款。如存款不足，持票人提会遭拒付，这种支票称为空头支票。开出空头支票的出票人要负法律责任。
支票可分为：
记名支票－－是出票人在收款人栏中注明“付给某人”，“付给某人或其指定人”。这种支票转让流通时，须由持票人背书，取款时须由收款人在背面签字。
不记名支票－－又称空白支票，抬头一栏注明“付给来人”。这种支票无须背书即可转让，取款时也无须在背面签字。
划线支票－－在支票的票面上划两条平行的横向线条，此种支票的持票人不能提取现金，只能委托银行收款入帐。
保付支票－－为了避免出票人开空头支票，收款人或持票人可以要求付款行在支票上加盖“保付”印记，以保证到时一定能得到银行付款。
转帐支票 发票人或持票人在普通支票上载明“转帐支付”，以对付款银行在支付上加以限制。
国际结算中信用证的操作步骤
①合同规定使用信用证支付货款；
　　②进口人填制开证申请书，交纳押金和手续费，要求开证行开出以出口人为受益人的信用证；
　　③开证行将信用证寄交出口人所在地的分行或代理行（通知行）；
　　④通知行核对印鉴无误后，将信用证转交出口人；
　　⑤出口人审核信用证与合同相符后，按信用证规定装运货物，并备齐各项货运单据，开具汇票，在信用证有效期内一并送交当地银行（议付行）请求议付；
　　⑥议付行审核单据与信用证无误后，按汇票金额扣除利息和手续费，将货款垫付给出口人；
　　⑦议付行将汇票和单据寄交开证行或其指定的付款行索偿；
　　⑧开证行或其指定的付款行审单无误后，向议付行付款；
　　⑨开证行在向议付行办理转帐付款的同时，通知进口人付款赎单；
　　
　　⑩进口人审单无误后，付清货款；
　　开证行收款后，将单据交给进口人，进口人凭以向承运人提货。