Uniform Customs and
Practice for Documentary Credits
(1993 Revision)
CONTENTS
Please note that the title
or classification on the heading of each Article is for reference as to intent
and purpose. It is not to be construed as being other than solely for the
benefit or guidance and there should be no legal imputation.
A. General Provisions and
Definitions
1.
Application of UCP
2.
Meaning of Credit
3.
Credits v Contracts
4.
Documents v Goods/Services/Performances
5.
Instructions to Issue/Amend Credits
B. Form and Notification
of Credits
6.
Revocable vs Irrevocable Credits
7.
Advising Bank's Liability
8.
Revocation of a Credit
9.
Liability of Issuing and Confirming Banks
10
Types of Credit
11.
Teletransmitted and Pre-Advised Credits
12.
Incomplete or Unclear Instructions
C. Liabilities and
Responsibilities
13.
Standard for Examination of Documents
14.
Discrepant Documents and Notice
15.
Disclaimer on Effectiveness of Documents
16.
Disclaimer on the Transmission of Messages
17.
Force Majeure
18.
Disclaimer for Acts of an Instructed Party
19.
Bank-to-Bank Reimbursement Arrangements
D. Documents
20.
Ambiguity as to the Issuers of Documents
21.
Unspecified Issuers or Contents of Documents
22.
Issuance Date of Documents v. Credit Date
23.
Marine/Ocean Bill of Lading
24.
Non-Negotiable Sea Waybill
25.
Charter Party Bill of Lading
26.
Multimodal Transport Document
27.
Air Transport
28. Document
Road, Rail or Inland Waterway Transport Documents
29.
Courier and Post Receipts
30.
Transport Documents Issued by Freight Forwarders
31.
"On Deck," "Shipper's Load and Count," Name of Consignor
32.
Clean Transport Documents
33.
Freight Payable/Prepaid Transport Documents
34.
Insurance Documents
35.
Type of Insurance Cover
36.
All Risks Insurance Cover
37.
Commercial Invoices
38.
Other Documents
E. Miscellaneous Provisions
39.
Allowances in Credit Amount, Quantity and Unit Price
40.
Partial Shipments/Drawings
41.
Instalment Shipments/Drawings
42.
Expiry Date and Place for Presentation of Documents
43.
Limitation of the Expiry Date
44.
Extension of Expiry Date
45.
Hours of Presentation
46.
General Expressions as to Dates for Shipment
47.
Date Terminology for Periods of Shipment
F. Transferable Credit
48.
Transferable Credit
G. Assignment of Proceeds
49.
Assignment of Proceeds
A. GENERAL PROVISIONS AND
DEFINITIONS
Article 1. Application of UCP
The Uniform Customs and
Practice for Documentary Credits, 1993 Revision, ICC Publication No. 500, shall
apply to all documentary Credits (including to the extent to which they may be
applicable, Standby Letter(s) of Credit) where they are incorporated into the
text of the Credit. They are binding on all parties thereto, unless otherwise
expressly stipulated in the Credit.
Article 2. Meaning of Credit
For the purposes of these
Articles, the expressions "Documentary Credit (s)" and "Standby
Letter(s) of Credit" (hereinafter referred to as "Credit (s) "),
rmean any arrangement, however named or described, whereby a bank(the "Issuing
Bank") acting at the request and on the instructions of a customer (the
"Applicant") or on its own behalf,
i) is to make
a payment to or to the order of a third party(the "Beneficiary"), or
is to accept and pay bills of exchange(Draft(s)) drawn by the Beneficiary, or
ii) authorises
another bank to effect such payment, or to accept and pay such bills of
exchange(Draft(s)), or
iii)
authorises another bank to negotiate, against stipulated document(s), provided
that the terms and conditions of the Credit are complied with. For the purposes
of these Articles, branches of a bank in different countreis are considered
another bank.
Article 3. Credits v. Contracts
a. Credits, by their
nature, are separate transactions from the sales or other contract(s) on which
they may be based and banks are in no way concerned with or bound by such
contract(s), even if any reference whatsoever to such contract(s) is included
in the Credit. Consequently, the undertaking of a bank to pay, accept and pay
Draft(s) or negotiate and/or to fulfil any other obligation under the Credit,
is not subject to claims or defences by the Applicant resulting from his
relationships with the Issuing Bank or the Beneficiary.
b. A Beneficiary can in no
case avail himself of the contractual relationships existing between the banks
or between the Applicant and the Issuing Bank.
Article 4. Documents v. Goods/Services/Performances
In Credit operations all
parties concerned deal with documents, and not with goods, services and/or
other performances to which the documents may relate.
Article 5. Instructions to Issue/Amend Credits
a. Instructions for the
issuance of a Credit, the Credit itself, instructions for an amendment thereto,
and the amendment itself, must be complete and precise. In order to guard
against confusion and misunderstanding, banks should discourage any attempt
i) to include
excessive detail in the Credit or in any amendment thereto;
ii)
to give instructions to issue, advise or confirm a Credit by reference to a
Credit previously issued (similar Credit) where such previous Credit has been
subject to accepted amendment(s), and/or unaccepted amendment(s),
b. All instructions for
the issuance of a Credit and the Credit itself and, where applicable, all
instructions for an amendment thereto and the amendment itself, must state
precisely the document(s) against which payment, acceptance or negotiation is
to be made.
B. FORM AND NOTIFICATIOIN
OF CREDITS
Article 6. Revocable v. Irrevocable Credits
a. A Credit may be either
i) revocable,
or
ii)
irrevocable.
b. The Credit, therefore,
should clearly indicate whether it is revocable or irrevocable.
c. In the absence of such
indication the Credit shall be deemed to be irrevocable.
Article 7. Advising Bank's Liability
a. A Credit may be advised
to a Beneficiary through another bank(the "Advising Bank") without
engagement on the part of the Advising Bank, but that bank, if it elects to
advise the Credit, shall take reasonable care to check the apparent
authenticity of the Credit which it advises. If the bank elects not to advise
the Credit, it must so inform the Issuing Bank without delay.
b. If the Advising Bank
cannot establish such apparent authenticity it must inform, without delay, the
bank from which the instructions appear to have been received that it has been
unable to establish the authenticity of the Credit and if it elects nonetheless
to advise the Credit it must inform the Beneficiary that it has not been able
to establish the authen, ticity of the Credit.
Article 8. Revocation of a Credit
a. A revocable Credit may
be amended or cancelled by the Issuing Bank at any moment and without prior
notice to the Beneficiary.
b. However, the Issuing
Bank must:
i) reimburse
another bank with which a revocable Credit has been made available for sight
payment, acceptance or negotiation-for any payment, acceptance or negotiation
made by such bank-prior to receipt by it of notice of amendment or
cancellation, against documents which appear on their face to be in compliance
with the terms and conditions of the Credit,
ii)
reimburse another bank with which a revocable Credit has been made available
for deferred payment, if such a bank has, prior to receipt by it of notice of
amendment or cancellation, taken up documents which appear on their face to be
in compliance with the terms and conditions of the Credit.
Article 9. Liability of Issuing and Confirming Banks
a. An irrevocable Credit
constitutes a definite undertaking of the Issuing Bank, provided that the
stipulated documents are presented to the Nominated Bank or to the Issuing Bank
and that the terms and conditions of the Credit are complied with:
i) if the
Credit provides for sight payment-to pay at sight;
ii) if the Credit
provides for deferred payment-to pay on the maturity date(s) determinable in
accordance with the stipulations of the Credit;
iii) if the
Credit provides for acceptance;
(a)
by the Issuing Bank-to accept Draft(s) drawn by the Beneficiarq on the Issuing
Bank and pay them at maturity, or
(b)
by another drawee bank-to accept and pay at maturity Draft(s) drawn by the
Beneficiary on the Issuing Bank in the event the drawee bank stipulated in the
Credit does not accept Draft(s) drawn on it, or to pay Draft(s) accepted but
not paid by such drawee bank at maturity;
iv)
if the Credit provides for negotiation-to pay without recourse to drawers
and/or bona fide holders, Draft(s) drawn by the Benefici ary and/or document(s)
presented under the Credit. A Credit should not be issued available by Draft(s)
on the Applicant. If the Credit nevertheless calls for Draft(s) on the
Applicant, banks will consider such Draft(s) as an additional document(s).
b. A confirmation of an
irrevocable Credit by another bank (the"Confirminn Bank") upon the
authorisation or request of the Issuing Bank, constitutes a definite
undertaking of the Confirming Bank, in addition to that of the Issuing Bank,
provided that the stipulated documents are presented to the Confirming Bank or
to any other Nominated Bank and that the terms and conditions of the Credit are
complied with:
i) if the
Credit provides for sight payment-to pay at sight;
ii) if the
Credit provides for deferred payment-to pay on the maturity date(s)
determinable in accordance with the stipulations of the Credit;
iii) if the
Credit provides for acceptance:
(a)
by the Confirming Bank-to accept Draft(s) drawn by the Beneficiary on the
Confirming Bank and pay them at maturity, or
(b)
by another drawee bank-to accept and pay at maturity Draft(s) drawn by the
Beneficiary on the Confirming Bank, in the event the drawee bank stipulated in
the Credit does not accept Draft(s) drawn on it, or to pay Draft(s) accepted
but not paid by such drawee bank at maturity;
iv)
if the Credit provides for negotiation-to negotiate without recourse to drawers
and/or bonafide holders, Draft(s) drawn by the Beneficiary and/or document(s)
presented under the Credit. A Credit should not be issued available by Draft(s)
on the Applicant. If the Credit nevertheless calls for Draft(s) on the
Applicant, banks will consider such Draft(s) as an additional document(s).
c. i) If another bank is
authorised or requested by the Issuing Bank to add its confirmation to a Credit
but is not prepared to do so, it must so inform the Issuing Bank without delay.
ii)
Unless the Issuing Bank specifies otherwise in its authorisation or request to
add confirmation, the Advising Bank may advise the Credit to the Beneficiary
without adding its confirmation.
d. i) Except as otherwise
provided by Article 48, an Irrevocable Credit can neither be amended nor
cancelled without the agreement of the Issuing Bank, the Confirming Bank, if
any, and the Beneficiary.
ii) The
Issuing Bank shall be irrevocably bound by an amendment(s) issued by it from
the time of the issuance of such amendment(s). A Confirming Bank may extend its
confirmation to an amendment and shall be irrevocably bound as of the time of
its advice of the amendment. A Confirming Bank may, however, choose to advise
an amendment to the Beneficiary without extending its confirmation and if so,
must inform the Issuing Bank and the Beneficiary without delay.
iii) The terms
of the original Credit(or a Credit incorporating previously accepted
amendment(s)) will remain in force for the Beneficiary until the Beneficiary
communicates his acceptance of the amendment to the bank that advised such
amendment. The Beneficiary should give notification of acceptance or rejection
of amendment (s). If the Beneficiary fails to give such notification, the
tender of documents to the Nominated Bank or Issuing Bank, that conform to the
Credit and to not yet accepted amendment(s), will be deemed to be notification
of acceptance by the Beneficiary of such amendment(s) and as of that moment the
Credit will be amended.
iv) Partial
acceptance of amendments contained in one and the same advice of amendment is
not allowed and consequently will not be given any effect.
Article 10. Types of Credit
a. All Credits must
clearly indicate whether they are available by sight payment, by deferred
payment, by acceptance or by negotiation.
b. i) Unless the Credit
stipulates that it is available only with the Issuing Bank, all Credits must
nominate the bank(the "Nominated Bank") which is authorised to pay,
to incur a deferred payment undertaking, to accept Draft(s) or to negotiate. In
a freely negotiabe Credit, any bank is a Nominated Bank Presentation of
documents must be made to the Issuing Bank or the Confirming Bank, if any, or
any other Nominated Bank. Negotiation means the giving of value for Draft(s)
and/or document(s) by the bank authorised to negotiate. Mere examination of the
documents without giving of value does not constitute a negotiation.
c. Unless the Nominated
Bank is the Confirming Bank, nomination by the Issuing Bank does not constitute
any undertaking by the Nominated Bank to pay, to incur a deferred payment
undertaking, to accept Draft (s), or to negotiate. Except where expressly
agreed to by the Nominated Bank and so communicated to the Beneficiary, the
Nominated Bank's receipt of and/or examination and/or forwarding of the
documents does not make that bank liable to pay, to incur a deferred payment
undertaking, to accept Draft(s), or to negotiate.
d. By nominating another
bank, or by allowing for negotiation by any bank, or by authorising or
requesting another bank to add its confirmation, the Issuing Bank authorises
such bank to pay, accept Draft(s) or negotiate as the case may be, against
documents which appear on their face to be in compliance with the terms and
conditions of the Credit and undertakes to reimburse such bank in accordance
with the provisions of these Articles.
Article 11. Teletransmitted and Pre-Advised Credits
a. i) When an Issuing Bank
instructs an Advising Bank by an authenticated teletransmission to advise a
Credit or an amendment to a Credit, the teletransmission will be deemed to be
the operative Credit instrument or the operative amendment, and no mail
confirmation should be sent. Should a mail confirmation nevertheless be sent, it
will have no effect and the Advising Bank will have no obligation to check such
mail confirmation against the operative Credit instrument or the operative
amendment received by teletransmission.
ii)
If the teletransmission states "full details to follow"(or words of
similar effect) or states that the mail confirmation is to be the operative
Credit instrument or the operative amendment, then the teletransmission will
not be deemed to be the operative Credit instrument or the operative amendment.
The Issuing Bank must forward the operative Credit instrument or the operative
amendment to such Advising Bank without delay.
b. If a bank uses the
services of an Advising Bank to have the Credit advised to the Beneficiary, it
must also use the services of the same bank for advising an amendment(s)
c. A preliminary advice of
the issuance or amendment of an irrevocable Credit(pre-advice), shall only be
given by an Issuing Bank if such bank is prepared to issue-the operative Credit
instrument or the operative amendment thereto. Unless otherwise stated in such
preliminary advice by the Issuing Bank, an Issuing Bank having given such
pre-advice shall be irrevocably committed to issue or amend the Credit, in
terms not inconsistent with the pre-advice, without delay.
Article 12. Incomplete or Unclear Instructions
If incomplete or unclear
instructions are received to advise, confirm of amend a Credit, the bank
requested to act on such instructions may give preliminary notification to the
Beneficiary for information only and without responsibility. This preliminary
notification should state clearly that the notification is provided for
information only and without the responsibility oif the Advising Bank. In any
event, the Advising Bank must inform the Issuing Bank of the action taken and
request it to provide the necessary informatioin.
The Issuing Bank must
provide the necessary information without delay. The Credit will be advised,
confirmed or amended, only when complete and clear instructions have been
received and if the Advising Bank is then prepared to act on the instructions.
C. LIABILITIES AND
RESPONSIBILITIES
Article 13. Standard for Examination of Documents
a. Banks must examine all
documents stipulated in the Credit with reasonable care, to ascertain whether
or not they appear, on their face, to be in compliance with the terms and
conditions of the Credit. Compliance of the stipulated documents on their face
with the terms and conditions of the Credit, shall be determined by
international standard banking practice as reflected in these Articles.
Documents which appear on their face to be inconsistent with one another will
be considered as not appearing on their face to be in compliance with the terms
and conditions of the Credit.
Documents not stipulated
in the Credit will not be examined by banks. If they receive such documents,
they shall return them to the presenter or pass them on without responsibility.
b. The Issuing Bank, the
Confirming Bank, if any, or a Nominated Bank acting on their behalf, shall each
have a reasonable time, not to exceed seven banking days following the day of
receipt of the documents, to examine the documents and determine whether to
take up or refuse the documents and to inform the party from which it received
the documents accordingly.
c. If a Credit contains
conditions without stating the document(s) to be presented in compliance
therewith, banks will deem such conditions as not stated and will disregard
them.
Article 14. Discrepant Documents and Notice
a. When the Issuing Bank
authorises another bank to pay, incur a deferred payment undertaking, accept
Draft(s), or negotiate against documents which appear on their face to be in
compliance with the terms and conditions of the Credit, the Issuing Bank and
the Confirming Bank, if any, are bound:
i) to
reimburse the Nominated Bank which has paid, incurred a deferred payment
undertaking, accepted Draft(s), or negotiated,
ii)
to take up the documents.
b. Upon receipt of the
documents the Issuing Bank and/or Confirming Bank, if any, or a Nominated Bank
acting on their behalf, must determine on the basis of the documents alone
whether or not they appear on their face to be in compliance with the terms and
conditions of the Credit. If the documents appear on their face not to be in
compliance with the terms and conditions of the Credit, such banks may refuse
to take up the documents.
c. If the Issuing Bank
determines that the documents appear on their face not to be in compliance with
the terms and conditions of the Credit, it may in its sole judgment approach
the Applicant for a waiver of the discrepancy(ies). This does not, however,
extend the period mentioned in sub-Article 13(b).
d. i) If the Issuing Bank
and/or Confirming Bank, if any, or a Nominated Bank acting on their behalf,
decides to refuse the documents, it must give notice to that effect by
telecommunication or, if that is not possible, by other expeditious means,
without delay but no later than the close of the seventh banking day following
the day of receipt of the documents. Such notice shall be given to the bank
from which it received the documents, or to the Beneficiary, if it received the
documents directly from him.
ii) Such
notice must state all discrepancies in respect of which the bank refuses the
documents and must also state whether it is holding the documents at the
disposal of, or is returning them to, the presenter.
iii)
The Issuing Bank and/or Confirming Bank, if any, shall then be entitled to
claim from the remitting bank refund, with interest, of any reimbursement which
has been made to that bank.
e. If the Issuing Bank
and/or Confirming Bank, if any, fails to act in accordance with the provisions
of this Article and/or fails to hold the documents at the disposal of, or
return them to the presenter, the Issuing Bank and/or Confirming Bank, if any,
shall be precluded from claiming that the documents are not in compliance with
the terms and conditions of the Credit.
f. If the remitting bank
draws the attention of the Issuing and/or Confirming Bank, if any, to any
discrepancy(ies) in the document(s) or advises such banks that it has paid,
incurred a deferred payment undertaking, accepted Draft(s) or negotiated under
reserve or against an indemnity in respect of such discrepancy(ies), the
Issuing Bank and/or Confirming Bank, if any, shall not be therebu relieved from
any of their obligations under any provision of this Article. Such reserve or
indemnity concerns only the relations between the remitting bank and the party
towards whom the reserve was made, or from whom, or on whose behalf, the
indemnity was obtained.
Article 15. Disclaimer on Effectiveness of Documents
Banks assume no liability
or responsibility for the form, sufficiency, accu racy, genuineness,
falsification or legal effect of any document(s), or for the general and/or
particular conditions stipulated in the document(s) or superimposed thereon;
nor do they assume any liability or responsibility for the description,
quantity, weight, quality, condition, packing, delivery, value or existence of
the goods represented by any document(s), or for the good faith or acts and/or
omissions, solvency, performance or standing of the consignors, the carriers,
the forwarders, the consignees or the insurers of the goods, or any other
person whomsover.
Article 16. Disclaimer on the Transmission of Messages
Banks assume no liability
or responsibility for the consequences arising out of delay and/or loss in
transit of any message(s), letter(s) or document(s), or for delay, multilation
or other error(s) arising in the transmission of any telecommunication. Banks
assume no liability or responsibility for errors in translation and/or
interpretation of technical terms, and reserve the right to transmit Credit
terms without translating them.
Article 17. Force Maieure
Banks assume no liability
or responsibility for the consequences arising out of the interruption of their
business by Acts of God, riots, civil commotions, insurrections, wars or any
other causes beyond their control, or by any strikes or lockouts. Unless
specifically authorised, banks will not, upon resumption of their business,
pay, incur a deferred payment undertaking, accept Draft(s) or negotiate under
Credits which expired during such interruption of their business.
Article 18. Disclaimer for Acts of in Instructed Party
a. Banks utilizing the
services of another bank or other banks for the purpose of giving effect to the
instructions of the Applicant do so for the account and at the risk of such
Applicant.
b. Banks assume no
liability or responsibility should the instructions they transmit not be
carried out, even if they have themselves taken the initiative in the choice of
such other bank(s),
c. i) A party instructing
another party ot perform services is liable for any charges, including
commissions, fees, costs or expenses incurred by the instructed party in
connections with its instructions.
ii)
Where a Credit stipulates that such charges are for the account of a party
other than the instructing party, and charges cannot be collected, the
instructing party remains ultimately liable for the payment thereof.
d. The Applicant shall be
bound by and liable to indemnify the banks against all obligations and
responsibilities imposed by foreign laws and usuages.
Article 19. Bank-to-Bank Reimbursement Arrangement
a. If an Issuing Bank
intends that the reimbursement to which a paying, accepting or negotiating bank
is entitled, shall be obtained by such bank (the"Claiming Bank"),
claiming on another party (the"Reimbursing Bank"), it shall provide
such Reimbursing Bank in good time with the proper instructions or
authorisation to honour such reimbursement claims.
b. Issuing Banks shall not
require a Claiming Bank to supply a certificate of compliance with the terms
and conditions of the Credit to the Reimbursing Bank.
c. An Issuing Bank shall
not be relieved from any of its obligations to provide reimbursement if and
when reimbursement is not received by the Claiming Bank from the Reimbursing
Bank.
d. The Issuing Bank shall
be responsible to the Claiming Bank for any loss of interest if reimbursement
is not provided by the Reimbursing Bank on first demand, or as otherwise
specified in the Credit, or mutually agreed, as the case may be.
e. The reimbursing Bank's
charges should be for the account of the Issuing Bank. However, in cases where
the charges are for the account of another party, it is the responsibility of
the Issuing Banks to so indicate in the original Credit and in the
reimbursement authorisation. In cases where the Reimbursing Bank's charges are
for the account of another party they shall be collected from the Claiming Bank
when the Credit is drawn under. In cases where the Credit is not drawn under,
the Reimbursing Bank's charges remain the obligation of the Issuing Bank.
D. DOCUMENTS
Article 20. Ambiguity as to the Issuers of Documents
a. Terms such as
"first class," "well known," "qualified,"
"independent," "official," "competent,"
"local" and the like, shall not be used to describe the issuers of
any document(s) to be presented under a Credit. If such terms are incorporated
in the Credit, banks will accept the relative document(s) as presented,
provided that it appears on its face to be in compliance with the other terms
and conditions of the Credit and not to have been issued by the Beneficiary.
b. Unless otherwise
stipulated in the Credit, banks will also accept as an original document(s), a
document(s) produced or appearing to have been produced:
i) by
reprographic, automated or computerized systems;
ii) as carbon
copies;
provided
that it is marked as original and, where necessary, appears to be signed. A
document may be signed by handwriting, by facsi mile signature, by perforated
signature, by stamp, by symbol, or by any other mechanical or electronic method
of authentication.
c. i) Unless otherwise
stipulated in the Credit, banks will accept as a copy ties), a document(s)
either labelled copy or not marked as an original-a copy(ies) need not be
signed.
ii)
Credits that require multiple document(s) such as "duplicate,"
"two fold," "two copies" and the like, will be satisfied by
the presentation of one original and the remaining number in copies except
where the document itself indicates otherwise.
d. Unless otherwise
stipulated in the Credit, a condition under a Credit calling for a document to
be authenticated, validated, legalized, visaed, certified or indicating a
similar requirement, will be satisfied by any signature, mark, stamp or label
on such document that on its face appears to satisfy the above condition.
Article 21. Unspecified Issuers or Contents of
Documents
When documents other than
transport documents, insurance documents and commercial invoices are called
for, the Credit should stipulate by whom such documents are to be issued and
their wording or data content. If the Credit does not so stipulate, banks will
accept such documents as presented, provided that their data content is not
inconsistent with any other stipulated document presented.
Article 22. Issuance Date of Documents v. Credit Date
Unless otherwise
stipulated in the Credit, banks will accept a document bearing a date of
issuance prior to that of the Credit, subject to such document being presented
within the time limits set out in the Credit and in these Articles.
Article 23. Marine/Ocean Bill of Lading
a. If a Credit calls for a
bill of lading covering a port-to-port shipment, banks will, unless otherwise
stipulated in the Credit, accept a document, however named, which:
i) appears on
its face to indicate the name of the carrier and to have been signed or
otherwise authenticated by:
-
the carrier or a named agent for or on behalf of the carrier, or
-
the master or a named agent for or on behalf of the master.
Any signature or
authentication of the carrier or master must be identified as carrier or
master, as the case may be. An agent signing or authenticating for the carrier
or master must also indicate the name and the capacity of the paryt, i.e.
carrier or master, on whose behalf that agent is acting, and
ii) indicates
that the goods have been loaded on board, or shipped on a named vessel. Loading
on board or shipment on a named vessel may be indicated by pre-printed wording
on the bill of lading that the goods have been loaded on board a named vessel
or shipped on a named vessel, in which case the date of issuance of the bill of
lading will be deemed to be the date of loading on board and the date of
shipment. In all other cases loading on board a named vessel must be evidenced
by a notation on the bill of lading which gives the date on which the goods
have been loaded on board, in which case the date of the on board notation will
be deemed to be the date of shipment. If the bill of lading contains the
indication "intended vessel," or similar qualification in relation to
the vessel, loading on board a named vessel must be evidenced by an on board
notation on the bill of lading which, in addition to the date on which the
goods have been loaded on board, also includes the name of the vessel on which
the goods have been loaded, even if they have been loaded on the vessel named
as the "intended vessel". If the bill of lading indicates a place of
receipt or taking in charge different from the port of loading, the on board
notation must also include the port of loading stipulated in the Credit and the
name of the vessel on which the goods have been loaded, even if they have been
loaded on the vessel named in the bill of lading. This provision also applies
whenever loading on board the vessel is indicated by pre-printed wording on the
bill of lading, and
iii) indicates
the port of loading and the port of discharge stipulated in the credit,
notwithstanding that it:
(a)
indicates a place of taking in charge different from the port of loading,
and/or a place of final destination different from the port of discharge,
and/or
(b)
contains the indication "intended" or similar qualification in
relation to the port of loading and/or port of discharge, as long as the document
also states the ports of loading and/or discharge stipulated in the Credit, and
iv) consists
of a sole original bill of lading, or if issued in more than one original, the
full set as so issued, and
v) appears to
contain all of the terms and conditions of carriage, or some of such terms and
conditions by reference to a source or document other than the bill of
lading(short form/blank back bill of lading), banks will not examine the
contents of such terms and conditions, and
vi) contains
no indication that it is subject to a charter party and/or no indication that
the carrying vessel is propelled by sail only, and
vii)
in all other respects meets the stipulations of the Credit.
b. For the purpose of this
Article, transhipment means unloading and reloading from one vessel to another
vessel during the course of ocean carriage from the port of loading to the port
of discharge stipulated in the Credit.
c. Unless transhipment is
prohibited by the terms of the Credit, banks will accept a bill of lading which
indicates that the goods will be transhipped, provided that the entire ocean
carriage is covered by one and the same bill of lading.
d. Even if the Credit
prohibits transhipment, banks will accept a bill of lading which:
i) indicates
that transhipment will take place as long as the relevant cargo is shipped in
Container (s) , Trailer(s) and/or "LASH" barge (s) as evidenced by
the bill of lading, provided that the entire ocean carriage is covered by one
and the same bill of lading, and/or
ii)
incorporates clauses stating that the carrier reserves the right to tranship.
Article 24. Non-Negotiable Sea Waybill
a. If a Credit calls for a
non-negotiable sea waybill covering a port-to-port shipment, banks will, unless
otherwise stipulated in the Credit, accept a document, however named, which:
i) appears on its face to
indicate the name of the carrier and to have been signed or otherwise
authenticated by:
- the carrier
or a named agent for or on behalf of the carrier, or
- the master or
a named agent for or on behalf of the master.
Any signature or
authentication of the carrier or master must be identified as carrier or
master, as the case may be. An agent signing or authenticating for the carrier
or master must also indicate the name and the capacity of the party, i.e.
carrier or master, on whose behalf that agent is acting, and
ii) indicates
that the goods have been loaded on board, or shipped on a named vessel. Loading
on board or shipment on a named vessel may be indicated by pre-printed wording
on the non-negotiable sea waybill that the goods have been loaded on board a
named vessel or shipped on a named vessel, in which case the date of issuance
of the non-negotiable sea waybill will be deemed to be the date of loading on
board and the date of shipment. In all other cases loading on board a named
vessel must be evidenced by a notation on the non-negotiable sea way bill which
gives the date on which the goods have been loaded on board, in which case the
date of the on board notation will be deemed to be the date of shipment.
If the non-negotiable sea
waybill contains the indication "intended vessel," or similar
qualification in relation to the vessel, loading on board a named vessel must
be evidenced by an on board notation on the non-negotiable sea waybill which,
in addition to the date on which the goods have been loaded on board, includes
the name of the vessel on which the goods have been loaded, even if they have
been loaded on the vessel named as the "intended vessel." If the
non-negotiable sea waybill indicates a place of receipt or taking in charge
different from the port of loading, the on board notation must also include the
port of loading stipulated in the Credit and the name of the vessel on which
the goods have been loaded, even if they have been loaded on a vessel named in
the non-negotiable sea waybill. This provision also applies whenever load, ing
on board the vessel is indicated by pre-printed wording on the non-negotiable
sea waybill, and
iii) indicates
the port of loading and the port of discharge stipulated in the Credit,
notwithstanding that it:
(a)
indicates a place of taking in charge different from the port of loading,
and/or a place of final destination different from the port discharge, and/or
(b)
contains the indication "intended" or similar qualification in
relation to the port of loading and/or port of discharge, as long as the
document also states the pot;ts of loading and/or discharge stipulated in the
Credit, and
iv) consists
of a sole original non-negotiable sea waybill, or if issued in more than one
original, the full set as so issued, and
v) appears to
contain all of the terms and conditions of carriage, or some of such terms and
conditions by reference to a source or document other than the
non-negotiablesea waybill(short forml blank back non-negotiable sea waybill);
banks will not examine the contents of such terms and conditions, and
vi) contains
no indication that it is subject to a charter party and/or no indication that
the carrying vessel is propelled by sail only, and
vii)
in all other respects meets the stipulations of the Credit.
b. For the purpose of this
Article, transhipment means unloading and reloading from one vessel to another
vessel during the course of ocean carriage from the port of loading to the port
of discharge stipulated in the Credit.
c. Unless transhipment is
prohibited by the terms of the Credit, banks will accept a non-negotiable sea
waybill which indicates that the goods will be transhipped, provided that the
entire ocean carriage is covered by one and the same non-negotiable sea
waybill.
d. Even if the Credit
prohibits transhipment, banks will accept a non-negotiable sea waybill which:
i) indicates
that transhipment will take place as long as the relevant cargo is shipped in
Container (s) , Trailer (s) and/or "LASH" barge (s) as evidenced by
the non-negotiable sea waybill, provided that the entire ocean carriage is
covered by one and the same non-negotiable sea waybill, and/or
ii) incorporates
clauses stating that the carrier reserves the right to tranship.
Article 25. Charter Party Bill of Lading
a. If a Credit calls for
or permits a charter party bill of lading, banks will, unless otherwise
stipulated in the Credit, accept a document, however named, which:
i) contains
any indication that it is subject to a charter party, and
ii) appears on
its face to have been signed or otherwise authenticated by:
-
the master or a named agent for or on behalf of the master, or
-
the owner or a named agent for or on behalf of the owner.
Any signature or
authentication of the master or owner must be identified as master or owner as
the case may be. An agent signing or authenticating for the master or owner
must also indicate the name and the capacity of the party, i.e. master or
owner, on whose behalf that agent is acting, and
iii) does or
does not indicate the name of the carrier, and
iv) indicates
that the goods have been loaded on board or shipped on a named vessel. Loading
on board or shipment on a named vessel may be indicated by pre-printed wording
on the bill of lading that the goods have been loaded on board a named vessel
or shipped on a named vessel, in which case the date of issuance of the bill of
lading will be deemed to be the date of loading on board and the date of
shipment.
In all other cases loading
on board a named vessel must be evidenced by a notation on the bill of lading
which gives the date on which the goods have been loaded on board, in which
case the date of the on board notation will be deemed to be the date of
shipment, and
v) indicates
the port of loading and the port of discharge stipulated in the Credit, and
vi) consists
of a sole original bill of lading or, if issued in more than one original, the
full set as so issued, and
vii) contains
no indication that the carrying vessel is propelled by sail only, and
viii)
in all other respects meets the stipulations of the Credit.
b. Even if the Credit
requires the presentation of a charter party contract in connection with a
charter party bill of lading, banks will not examine such charter party
contract, but will pass it on without responsibility on their part.
Article 26. Multimodal Transport Document
a. If a Credit calls for a
transport document covering at least two different modes of
transport(multimodal transport), banks will, unless otherwise stipulated in the
Credit, accept a document, however named, which:
i) appears on
its face to indicate the name of the carrier or multimodal transport operator
and to have been signed or otherwise authenticated by:
-
the carrier or multimodal transport operator or a named agent for or on behalf
of the carrier or multimodal transport operator,
-
the master or a named agent for or on behalf of the master.
Any signature or
authentication of the carrier, multimodal transport operator or master must be
identified as carrier, multimodal transport operator or master, as the case may
be. An agent signing or authenticating for the carrier, multimodal transport
operator or master must also indicate the name and the capacity of the party,
i.e. carrier, multimodal transport operator or master, on whose behalf that
agent is acting, and
ii) indicates
that the goods have been dispatched, taken in charge or loaded on board.
Dispatch, taking in charge or loading on board may be indicated by wording to
that effect on the multimodal transport document and the date of issuance will
be deemed to be the date of dispatch, taking in charge or loading on board and
the date of shipment. However, if the document indicates, by stamp or
otherwise, a date of dispatch, taking in charge or loading on board, such date
will be deemed to be the date of shipment, and
iii) (a)
indicates the place of taking in charge stipulated in the Credit which may be
different from the port, airport or place of loading, and the place of final
destination stipulated in the Credit which may be different from the port,
airport or place of discharge, and/or
(b)
contains the indication "intended" or similar qualification in
relation to the vessel and/or port of loading and/or port of discharge, and
iv) consists
of a sole original multimodal transport document or, if issued in more than one
original, the full set as so issued, and
v) appears to
contain all of the terms and conditions of carriage, or some of such terms and
conditions by reference to a source or document other than the multimodal
transport document(short form/blank back multimodal transport document); banks
will not examine the contents of such terms and conditions, and
vi) contains
no indication that it is subject to a charter party and/or no indication that
the carrying vessel is propelled by sail only, and
vii)
in all other respects meets the stipulations of the Credit.
b. Even if the Credit
prohibits transhipment, banks will accept a multimodal transport document which
indicates that transhipment will or may take place, provided that the entire
carriage is covered by one and the same multimodal transport document.
Article 27. Air Transport Document
a. If a Credit calls for
an air transport document, banks will, unless otherwise stipulated in the
Credit, accept a document, however named, which:
i) appears on
its face to indicate the name of the carrier and to have been signed or
otherwise authenticated by:
-
the carrier, or
-
a named agent for or on behalf of the carrier;
Any signature or
authentication of the carrier must be identified as carrier. An agent signing
or authenticating for the carrier must also indicate the name and the capacity
of the party, i.e. carrier, on whose behalf that agent is acting, and
ii) indicates
that the goods have been accepted for carriage, and
iii) where the
Credit calls for an actual date of dispatch, indicates a specific notation of
such date, the date of dispatch so indicated on the air transport document will
be deemed to be the date of shipment.
For the purpose of this
Article, the information appearing in the box on the air transport
document(marked "For Carrier Use Only" or similar expression)
relative to the flight number and date will not be considered as a specific
notation of such date of dispatch. In all other cases, the date of issuance of
the air transport document will be deemed to be the date of shipment, and
iv) indicates
the airport of departure and the airport of destination stipulated in the
Credit, and
v) appears to
be the original for consignor/shipper even if the Credit stipulates a full set
of originals, or similar expressions, and
vi) appears to
contain all of the terms and conditions of carriage, or some of such terms and
conditons, by reference to a source or document other than the air transport
document; banks will not examine the contents of such terms and conditions, and
vii)
in all other respects meets the stipulations of the Credit.
b. For the purpose of this
Article, transhipment means unloading and reloading from one aircraft to
another aircraft during the course of carriage from the airport of departure to
the airport of destination stipulated in the Credit.
c. Even if the Credit
prohibits transhipment, banks will accept an air transport document which
indicates that transhipment will or may take place, provided that the entire
carriage is covered by one and the same air transport document.
Article 28. Road, Rail or Inland Waterway Transport
Documents
a. If a Credit calls for a
road, rail, or inland waterway transport document, banks will, unless otherwise
stipulated in the Credit, accept a document of the type called for, however
named, which:
i) appears on
its face to indicate the name of the carrier and to have been signed or
otherwise authenticated by the carrier or a named agent for or on behalf of the
carrier and/or to bear a reception stamp or other indication of receipt by the
carrier or a named agent for or on behalf of the carrier.
Any signature,
authentication, reception stamp or other indication of receipt of the carrier,
must be identified on its face as that of the carrier. An agent signing or authenticating
for the carrier, must also indicate the name and the capacity of the party,
i.e. carrier, on whose behalf that agent is acting, and
ii) indicates
that the goods have been received for shipment, dispatch or carriage or wording
to this effect. The date of issuance will be deemed to be the date of shipment
unless the transport document contains a reception stamp, in which case the
date of the reception stamp will be deemed to be the date of shipment, and
iii) indicates
the place of shipment and the place of destination stipulated in the Credit,
and
iv)
in all other respects meets the stipulations of the Credit.
b. In the absence of any
indication on the transport document as to the numbers issued, banks will
accept the transport document(s) presented as constituting a full set. Banks
will accept as original(s) the transport document(s) whether marked as
original(s) or not.
c. For the purpose of this
Article, transhipment means unloading and reloading from one means of
conveyance to another means of convey. ance, in different modes of transport,
during the course of carriage from the place of shipment to the place of
destination stipulated in the Credit.
d. Even if the Credit
prohibits transhipment, banks will accept a road, rail, or inland waterway
transport document which indicates that transhipment will or may take place,
provided that the entire carriage is covered by one and the same transport
document and within the same mode of transport.
Article 29. Courier and Post Receipts
a. If a Credit calls for a
post receipt or certificate of posting, banks will, unless otherwise stipulated
in the Credit, accept a post receipt or certificate of posting which:
i) appears on
its face to have been stamped or otherwise authenticated and dated in the place
from which the Credit stipulates the goods are to be shipped or dispatched and
such date will be deemed to be the date of shipment or dispatch, and
ii)
in all other respects meets the stipulations of the Credit.
b. If a Credit calls for a
document issued by a courier or expedited delivery service evidencing receipt
of the goods for delivery, banks will, unless otherwise stipulated in the
Credit, accept a document, however named, which:
i) appears on
its face to indicate the name of the courier/service, and to have been stamped,
signed or otherwise authenticated by such named courier/service (unless the
Credit specifically calls for a document issued by a named Courier/Service,
banks will accept a document issued by any Courier/Service), and
ii) indicates
a date of pick-up or of receipt or wording to this effect, such date being
deemed to be the date of shipment or dispatch, and
iii) in all
other respects meets the stipulations of the Credit.
Article 30. Transport Documents issued by Freight
Forwarders
Unless otherwise
authorised in the Credit, banks will only accept a transport document issued by
a freight forwarder if it appears on its face to indicate:
i) the name of
the freight forwarder as a carrier or multimodal transport operator and to have
been signed or otherwise authenticated by the freight forwarder as carrier or
multimodal transport operator, or
ii) the name
of the carrier or multimodal transport operator and to have been signed or
otherwise authenticated by the freight forwarder as a named agent for or on
behalf of the carrier or multimodal transport operator.
Articie 31. "On Deck,'""Shipper's Load
and Count," Name of Consignor
Unless otherwise
stipulated in the Credit, banks will accept a transport document which: