UCP600 & UCP500 Compared

Transcription

1 UCP600 & UCP500 Compared Part I. The Modifications and Changes in General a. Given 14 definitions at first and 12 interpretations to clarify the meaning of ambiguous terms, refer to Art 2 & 3. b. Agreed that the issuing bank must reimburse the nominated bank even though the documents are lost in the transmitting however, the presentation must be complying. c. Part II. Detailed Comparison for Each Article Article 1 Application of UCP...2 Article 2 Definitions...2 Article 3 Interpretations...3 Article 4 Credits v. Contracts...4 Article 5 Documents v. Goods, Services or Performance...4 Article 6 Availability, Expiry Date and Place for Presentation...4 Article 7 Issuing Bank Undertaking...5 Article 8 Confirming Bank Undertaking...6 Article 9 Advising of Credits and Amendments...7 Article 10 Amendments...8 Article 11 Teletransmitted and Pre-Advised Credits and Amendments...8 Article 12 Nomination...9 Article 13 Bank-to-Bank Reimbursement Arrangements...9 Article 14 Standard for Examination of Documents...10 Article 15 Complying Presentation...12 Article 16 Discrepant Documents, Waiver and Notice...12 Article 17 Original Documents and Copies...13 Article 18 Commercial Invoice...14 Article 19 Transport Document Covering at Least Two Different Modes of Transport...15 Article 20 Bill of Lading...17 Article 21 Non-Negotiable Sea Waybill...19 Article 22 Charter Party Bill of Lading...20 Article 23 Air Transport Document...21 Article 24 Road, Rail or Inland Waterway Transport Documents...23 Article 25 Courier Receipt, Post Receipt or Certificate of Posting...24 Article 26 "On Deck", "Shipper's Load and Count", Said by Shipper to Contain and Charges Additional to Freight...25 Article 27 Clean Transport Document...25 Article 28 Insurance Document and Coverage...25 Article 29 Extension of Expiry Date or Last Day for Presentation...27 Article 30 Tolerance in Credit Amount, Quantity and Unit Prices...27 Article 31 Partial Drawings or Shipments...27 Article 32 Instalment Drawings or Shipments...28 Article 33 Hours of Presentation...28 Article 34 Disclaimer on Effectiveness of Documents...28 Article 35 Disclaimer on Transmission and Translation...29 Article 36 Force Majeure...29 Article 37 Disclaimer for Acts of an Instructed Party...29 Article 38 Transferable Credits...30

2 Article 39 Assignment of Proceeds...32 Part I. The Modifications and Changes in General a. Given 14 definitions at first and 12 interpretations to clarify the meaning of ambiguous terms, refer to Art 2 & 3. And we need pay attention to the change about negotiation. b. Agreed that the issuing bank must reimburse the nominated bank even though the documents are lost in the transmitting however, the presentation must be complying. c. Denied the practice that banks stipulate the clause about which the amendment should be accepted by beneficiary who did not send any rejected advice in certain time, refer to sub-article 10 f. d. Five banking days replaced reasonable time and seven banking days, refer to sub-article 14 b. e. Two kinds of form about refusing have been added in UCP600, refer to sub-article 16 c iii. f. Banks can now accept an insurance document that contains reference to any exclusion clause, refer to sub-article 28 i. g. The insurance document could be issued by proxies, refer sub-article 28 a. h. The clause for transport documents issued by Freight Forwarders has been deleted. i. The clause about carrying vessel propelled by sail only has been deleted since that kind of sailboat has dropped out of ocean transport. j. The expression is straightaway, precise and compact, for example, the wording for unless the credit expressly stipulates is not used in UCP600. k. The clause about shipment date has changed, refer to sub-article 19 a ii, 20 a ii, 21 a ii and 22 a ii, especially to note the effect to received bill of lading. l. Canceled the blocking frame about the form of clauses. m. The number of the clauses has decreased to 39 from original 49. n. The deferred payment credit could be discounted or purchased. o. Added the acts of terrorism as a kind of Force Majeure, refer to Art 36. p. Confirmed that the issuing bank may be a transferring bank, refer to sub-article 38 b. 1

3 Part II. Detailed Comparison for Each Article Article 1 Application of UCP The Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits, 2007 Revision, ICC Publication no. 600 ( UCP ) are rules that apply to any documentary credit ( credit ) (including, to the extent to which they may be applicable, any standby letter of credit) when the text of the credit expressly indicates that it is subject to these rules. They are binding on all parties thereto unless expressly modified or excluded by the credit. It is similar to the Art 1 of 500, however there are three differences: any replace all when rules replace where credit unless credit replace unless otherwise credit Article 2 Definitions For the purpose of these rules: Advising bank means the bank that advises the credit at the request of the issuing bank. Applicant means the party on whose request the credit is issued. Banking day means a day on which a bank is regularly open at the place at which an act subject to these rules is to be performed. Beneficiary means the party in whose favour a credit is issued. Complying presentation means a presentation that is in accordance with the terms and conditions of the credit, the applicable provisions of these rules and international standard banking practice. Confirmation means a definite undertaking of the confirming bank, in addition to that of the issuing bank, to honour or negotiate a complying presentation. Confirming bank means the bank that adds its confirmation to a credit upon the issuing bank s authorization or request. Credit means any arrangement, however named or described, that is irrevocable and thereby constitutes a definite undertaking of the issuing bank to honour a complying presentation. Honour means: a. to pay at sight if the credit is available by sight payment. b. to incur a deferred payment undertaking and pay at maturity if the credit is available by deferred payment. c. to accept a bill of exchange ( draft ) drawn by the beneficiary and pay at maturity if the credit is available by acceptance. Issuing bank means the bank that issues a credit at the request of an applicant or on its own behalf. Negotiation means the purchase by the nominated bank of drafts (drawn on a bank other than the nominated bank) and/or documents under a 2 This article is new added, it clarifies many definitions which didn t defined in 500, however, some items ever published in some publications of ICC including 500, such as Banking day, credit, etc. Of cause, some items are first presented in 600 or have been amended so that we should focus: Complying presentation is a new term, under 500, we usually used the documents to be presented in compliance, and the new one is more concision. In 500, the Art 2 gave the mean of credit and four types L/C, and in Art 6 the irrevocable and revocable L/C were listed at the same time, however, in 600, the revocable L/C has been deleted. So, we should note that all L/C are irrevocable under UCP600. Another difference is that the original four types are changed into three categories, which are called by a joint name - Honour, which includes available by sight payment, deferred payment and acceptance, and the Negotiation was deleted from the basic types. It was changed to a burchase behalf other than payment type. In 500, negotiation means the giving of value for draft(s) and/or document(s), which borrowed the jural definition. But there were many issues and problems in the banking practice, therefore it is amended in 600. And

4 complying presentation, by advancing or agreeing to advance funds to the beneficiary on or before the banking day on which reimbursement is due to the nominated bank. Nominated bank means the bank with which the credit is available or any bank in the case of a credit available with any bank. Presentation means either the delivery of documents under a credit to the issuing bank or nominated bank or the documents so delivered. Presenter means a beneficiary, bank or other party that makes a presentation. in 500 Art14 F that is about payment, acceptance, and negotiation under reserve or against an indemnity has been deleted. And it is defined as purchase drafts under a complying presentation. What is the relationship between honour and negotiation? Please think who are the other parties. Article 3 Interpretations For the purpose of these rules: Where applicable, words in the singular include the plural and in the plural include the singular. A credit is irrevocable even if there is no indication to that effect. A document may be signed by handwriting, facsimile signature, perforated signature, stamp, symbol or any other mechanical or electronic method of authentication. A requirement for a document to be legalized, visaed, certified or similar will be satisfied by any signature, mark, stamp or label on the document which appears to satisfy that requirement. Branches of a bank in different countries are considered to be separate bank. Terms such as "first class", "well known", "qualified", "independent", "official", "competent" or "local" used to describe the issuer of a document allow any issuer except the beneficiary to issue that document. Unless required to be used in a document, words such as "prompt", "immediately" or "as soon as possible" will be disregarded. The expression "on or about" or similar will be interpreted as a stipulation that an event is to occur during a period of five calendar days before until five calendar days after the specified date, both start and end dates included. It means the singular and plural in UCP600 has the same meaning, which might refer our Chinese language, I think. It is similar to the Art 6 C of 500, in fact, under UCP600, only irrevocable credit was stipulated. It is similar to the Art 20 B of 500 It is similar to the Art 20 D of 500, however the words to be authenticated, validated are deleted from this clause. It is similar to the last sentence of 500 Art 2 and separate replaces another It is similar to the Art 20 A of 500 and more concision. It is similar to the Art 46 B of 500, but it is more rigorous and extensive since Art46 B was applicable to Dates for Shipment. It is similar to the Art 46 C of 500 3

5 The words "to", "until", "till", from and between when used to determine a period of shipment include the date or dates mentioned, and the words before and "after" exclude the date mentioned. The words from and "after" when used to determine a maturity date exclude the date mentioned. The terms "first half" and "second half" of a month shall be construed respectively as the 1st to the 15th and the 16th to the last day of the month, all dates inclusive. The terms "beginning", "middle" and "end" of a month shall be construed respectively as the 1st to the 10th, the 11th to the 20th and the 21st to the last day of the month, all dates inclusive. It is similar to the Art 47 A & B of 500, added between & before It comes from ISBP P45(d), note the difference when from was used to determine maturity date and period of shipment It is the same with the Art 47 C of 500 It is the same with the Art 47 D of 500 Article 4 Credits v. Contracts a. A credit by its nature is a separate transaction from the sale or other contract on which it may be based. Banks are in no way concerned with or bound by such contract, even if any reference whatsoever to it is included in the credit. Consequently, the undertaking of a bank to honour, to negotiate or to fulfil any other obligation under the credit is not subject to claims or defences by the applicant resulting from its relationships with the issuing bank or the beneficiary. The section a. is the same with Art 3 of 500 except that it used the word honour. A beneficiary can in no case avail itself of the contractual relationships existing between banks or between the applicant and the issuing bank. b. An issuing bank should discourage any attempt by the applicant to include, as an integral part of the credit, copies of the underlying contract, proforma invoice and the like. It is similar to the Art 5 A ii of UCP500 but the italic documents were new added in UCP600. Article 5 Documents v. Goods, Services or Performance Banks deal with documents and not with goods, services or performance to which the documents may relate. It is similar to the Art 4 of 500 Article 6 Availability, Expiry Date and Place for Presentation a. A credit must state the bank with which it is available or whether it is available with any bank. A credit available with a nominated bank is also available with the issuing bank. It is similar to the Art 10 B of 500. However this clause gives a new item Availability and admits freely available, but in Art 10 of 500 only negotiable L/C could be admitted as freely available. 4

6 b. A credit must state whether it is available by sight payment, deferred payment, acceptance or negotiation. c. A credit must not be issued available by a draft drawn on the applicant. d. i. A credit must state an expiry date for presentation. An expiry date stated for honour or negotiation will be deemed to be an expiry date for presentation. ii. The place of the bank with which the credit is available is the place for presentation. The place for presentation under a credit available with any bank is that of any bank. A place for presentation other than that of the issuing bank is in addition to the place of the issuing bank. e. Except as provided in sub-article 29 (a), a presentation by or on behalf of the beneficiary must be made on or before the expiry date. Article 7 Issuing Bank Undertaking a. Provided that the stipulated documents are presented to the nominated bank or to the issuing bank and that they constitute a complying presentation, the issuing bank must honour, if the credit is available by: i. sight payment, deferred payment or acceptance with the issuing bank; ii. sight payment with a nominated bank and that nominated bank does not pay; iii. deferred payment with a nominated bank and that nominated bank does not incur its deferred payment undertaking or, having incurred its deferred payment undertaking, does not pay at maturity; It is the same with the Art 10 A of UCP500 It differs from ISBP P56 since must not i/o should not, it is compelling denial. It is a clause about expiry date and place for presentation and similar to the Art 42 of UCP500. However I don t find the clause for 21 days like Art 43 A of UCP500 in UCP600. It is new added clause in UCP600. It is similar to the Art 42 B of UCP500. In UCP500, the liability of Issuing and Confirming Banks were prescribed in Art 9. In UCP600, they are divided into two clauses Art 7 and Art 8. In the new wording, it is more precise. This sentence of a.i. declares the basic liability of Issuing Bank. Those sentences from a.ii. to a.v. declare that when the nominated bank dishonoured the Issuing Bank must perform its basic liability still. The item i is Straight L/C. iv. acceptance with a nominated bank and that nominated bank does not accept a draft drawn on it or, having accepted a draft drawn on it, does not pay at maturity; v. negotiation with a nominated bank and that nominated bank does not negotiate. b. An issuing bank is irrevocably bound to honour as of the time it issues the credit. 5 In UCP500, an irrevocable credit constituted a definite undertaking of the Issuing Bank, however, in this clause b, Issuing Bank is irrevocably bound to honour, which is the same meaning as above.

7 c. An issuing bank undertakes to reimburse a nominated bank that has honoured or negotiated a complying presentation and forwarded the documents to the issuing bank. Reimbursement for the amount of a complying presentation under a credit available by acceptance or deferred payment is due at maturity, whether or not the nominated bank prepaid or purchased before maturity. An issuing bank's undertaking to reimburse a nominated bank is independent of the issuing bank s undertaking to the beneficiary. Article 8 Confirming Bank Undertaking a. Provided that the stipulated documents are presented to the confirming bank or to any other nominated bank and that they constitute a complying presentation, the confirming bank must: i. honour, if the credit is available by a. sight payment, deferred payment or acceptance with the confirming bank; This clause provides two undertakings of Issuing Bank, one is to reimburse a nominated bank, and the other is to pay to the beneficiary. In UCP500, although there were no details like UCP600, but the fact exited in the practice. Of course, the clear documents or complying presentation is necessary both in the past and future. In fact, this article reconfirms the first responsibility to pay beneficiary even a nominated bank (if any) by Issuing Bank. This clause is almost same as last article, however, there are some difference since the Confirming Bank is other than Issuing Bank. Therefore the sub-clause a.ii is about negotiate without recourse when the Confirming Bank is nominated negotiating bank by L/C and b increases the word negotiate compare with Issuing Bank. b. sight payment with another nominated bank and that nominated bank does not pay; c. deferred payment with another nominated bank and that nominated bank does not incur its deferred payment undertaking or, having incurred its deferred payment undertaking, does not pay at maturity; d. acceptance with another nominated bank and that nominated bank does not accept a draft drawn on it or, having accepted a draft drawn on it, does not pay at maturity; e. negotiation with a nominated bank and that nominated bank does not negotiate. Any way, a Confirming Bank acts the role of second Issuing Bank, therefore it should undertake the same responsibility as the Issuing Bank. ii. negotiate, without recourse, if the credit is available by negotiation with the confirming bank. b. A confirming bank is irrevocably bound to honour or negotiate as of the time it adds its confirmation to the credit. c. A confirming bank undertakes to reimburse another nominated bank that has honoured or negotiated a complying presentation and forwarded the documents to the confirming bank. Reimbursement for the amount of a It is similar to the relative section of Art 7. 6

8 complying presentation under a credit available by acceptance or deferred payment is due at maturity, whether or not another nominated bank prepaid or purchased before maturity. A confirming bank's undertaking to reimburse another nominated bank is independent of the confirming bank s undertaking to the beneficiary. d. If a bank is authorized or requested by the issuing bank to confirm a credit but is not prepared to do so, it must inform the issuing bank without delay and may advise the credit without confirmation. Article 9 Advising of Credits and Amendments a. A credit and any amendment may be advised to a beneficiary through an advising bank. An advising bank that is not a confirming bank advises the credit and any amendment without any undertaking to honour or negotiate. b. By advising the credit or amendment, the advising bank signifies that it has satisfied itself as to the apparent authenticity of the credit or amendment and that the advice accurately reflects the terms and conditions of the credit or amendment received. c. An advising bank may utilize the services of another bank ( second advising bank ) to advise the credit and any amendment to the beneficiary. By advising the credit or amendment, the second advising bank signifies that it has satisfied itself as to the apparent authenticity of the advice it has received and that the advice accurately reflects the terms and conditions of the credit or amendment received. d. A bank utilizing the services of an advising bank or second advising bank to advise a credit must use the same bank to advise any amendment thereto. e. If a bank is requested to advise a credit or amendment but elects not to do so, it must so inform, without delay, the bank from which the credit, amendment or advice has been received. f. If a bank is requested to advise a credit or amendment but cannot satisfy itself as to the apparent authenticity of the credit, the amendment or the advice, it must so inform, without delay, the bank from which the instructions appear to have been received. If the advising bank or second advising bank elects It is similar to Art 9 C of UCP500. In fact the liability of Issuing and Confirming Bank is not changed essentially. This article adds some new element comparing with Art 7 of UCP500. It clarifies the independence of Advising Bank which does not undertake to honour or negotiate except that it is Confirming Bank at the same time. It is similar to Art 7 A of UCP500. In banking practice, lots of L/C are advised though second advising bank, but the UCP500 has no relative clause. In UCP600, this is confirmed and the second advising bank has the same right with first one. It appeared in Art 11 B of UCP500, and now it has been clarified in special clause of UCP600. Please refer to R401 It is similar to Art 7 A of UCP500. It is similar to Art 7 B of UCP500. 7

9 nonetheless to advise the credit or amendment, it must inform the beneficiary or second advising bank that it has not been able to satisfy itself as to the apparent authenticity of the credit, the amendment or the advice.. Article 10 Amendments a. Except as otherwise provided by article 38, a credit can neither be amended nor cancelled without the agreement of the issuing bank, the confirming bank, if any, and the beneficiary. b. An issuing bank is irrevocably bound by an amendment as of the time it issues the amendment. A confirming bank may extend its confirmation to an amendment and will be irrevocably bound as of the time it advises the amendment. A confirming bank may, however, choose to advise an amendment without extending its confirmation and, if so, it must inform the issuing bank without delay and inform the beneficiary in its advice. c. The terms and conditions of the original credit (or a credit incorporating previously accepted amendments) will remain in force for the beneficiary until the beneficiary communicates its acceptance of the amendment to the bank that advised such amendment. The beneficiary should give notification of acceptance or rejection of an amendment. If the beneficiary fails to give such notification, a presentation that complies with the credit and to any not yet accepted amendment will be deemed to be notification of acceptance by the beneficiary of such amendment. As of that moment the credit will be amended. d. A bank that advises an amendment should inform the bank from which it received the amendment of any notification of acceptance or rejection. e. Partial acceptance of an amendment is not allowed and will be deemed to be notification of rejection of the amendment. f. A provision in an amendment to the effect that the amendment shall enter into force unless rejected by the beneficiary within a certain time shall be disregarded. Article 11 Teletransmitted and Pre-Advised Credits and Amendments a. An authenticated teletransmission of a credit or 8 The Art 9 D of UCP500 stipulated about amendments, in UCP600, ICC draws a separate clause about it. Then, we could presume that a mass of problems and issues about amendments happened in banking practice. Please note it does not state applicant at all. Section a is similar to Art 9 D i of UCP500. It is almost same as Art 9 D ii of UCP500. The Confirming Bank has the independence whether it extends its confirmation to an amendment. There is no change comparing with UCP500. It is the same with Art 9 D iii of UCP500. However, there is a case in dilemma. L/C required that the goods be shipped under four periods, each 100mt in Jan, Feb, Mar and Apr. Now Issuing Bank gave an amendment, which the shipment periods were changed to May, Jun, Jul, and Aug. Beneficiary did not send any notification and shipped the first 100mt in Jan, however, it shipped the second 100mt in Jun. Could we consider the beneficiary accept the amendment? If it is positive, is the acceptation valid? It is new content, however, in UCP600 draft of Jun 2006, the should was i/o by must. The different tone decreases the liability of the bank that advises the amendment. It is similar to Art 7 D iv of UCP500. It comes from ICC R315. ICC considered that those practices changed the irrevocable nature of the L/C irrevocable undertaking. And it disobeys some states laws. It is similar to Art 11 A i of UCP500, but the expression is stronger than it.

10 amendment will be deemed to be the operative credit or amendment, and any subsequent mail confirmation shall be disregarded. If a teletransmission states "full details to follow" (or words of similar effect), or states that the mail confirmation is to be the operative credit or amendment, then the teletransmission will not be deemed to be the operative credit or amendment. The issuing bank must then issue the operative credit or amendment without delay in terms not inconsistent with the teletransmission. b. A preliminary advice of the issuance of a credit or amendment ( pre-advice ) shall only be sent if the issuing bank is prepared to issue the operative credit or amendment. An issuing bank that sends a pre-advice is irrevocably committed to issue the operative credit or amendment, without delay, in terms not inconsistent with the pre-advice. It is almost same as Art 11 A ii of UCP500. Section b is almost same as Art 11 C ii of UCP500, however, it deleted the original words unless otherwise stated which admitted Issuing Bank to state when, how or on what conditions, if those were not to occur without undue delay, but this state did not include a term such as operative. Refer R318 pls. This article renews the Art 11 of UCP500, and then the consecution of 600 is more express and has stronger tone. Article 12 Nomination a. Unless a nominated bank is the confirming bank, an authorization to honour or negotiate does not impose any obligation on that nominated bank to honour or negotiate, except when expressly agreed to by that nominated bank and so communicated to the beneficiary. b. By nominating a bank to accept a draft or incur a deferred payment undertaking, an issuing bank authorizes that nominated bank to prepay or purchase a draft accepted or a deferred payment undertaking incurred by that nominated bank. c. Receipt or examination and forwarding of documents by a nominated bank that is not a confirming bank does not make that nominated bank liable to honour or negotiate, nor does it constitute honour or negotiation. Article 13 Bank-to-Bank Reimbursement Arrangements a. If a credit states that reimbursement is to be obtained This article has replaced Art 18 of UCP500. It is a little similar to Art 18 B of UCP500, however, the instances are exiting largely in banking practices. Therefore, UCP600 gives the more detail clause to confirm the independent rights of nominated bank. It stipulates what is the meaning that issuing bank selects the nominated bank. It is a new clause too. It reaffirms that the nominated bank could ignore the issuing bank s nomination if it is not confirmation bank. But the items about charges and applicant s liable which stipulated in Art 18 C & D are deleted by UCP600, I have no idea about it! It is similar Art 19 of UCP500. In UCP500, Issuing Bank must give an 9

11 by a nominated bank ("claiming bank") claiming on another party ("reimbursing bank"), the credit must state if the reimbursement is subject to the ICC rules for bank-to-bank reimbursements in effect on the date of issuance of the credit. b. If a credit does not state that reimbursement is subject to the ICC rules for bank- to-bank reimbursements, the following apply: i. An issuing bank must provide a reimbursing bank with a reimbursement authorization that conforms with the availability stated in the credit. The reimbursement authorization should not be subject to an expiry date. ii. A claiming bank shall not be required to supply a reimbursing bank with a certificate of compliance with the terms and conditions of the credit. iii. An issuing bank will be responsible for any loss of interest, together with any expenses incurred, if reimbursement is not provided on first demand by a reimbursing bank in accordance with the terms and conditions of the credit. iv. A reimbursing bank's charges are for the account of the issuing bank. However, if the charges are for the account of the beneficiary, it is the responsibility of an issuing bank to so indicate in the credit and in the reimbursement authorization. If a reimbursing bank's charges are for the account of the beneficiary, they shall be deducted from the amount due to a claiming bank when reimbursement is made. If no reimbursement is made, the reimbursing bank's charges remain the obligation of the issuing bank. c. An issuing bank is not relieved of any of its obligations to provide reimbursement if reimbursement is not made by a reimbursing bank on first demand. Article 14 Standard for Examination of Documents a. A nominated bank acting on its nomination, a confirming bank, if any, and the issuing bank must examine a presentation to determine, on the basis of the documents alone, whether or not the documents appear on their face to constitute a complying presentation. b. A nominated bank acting on its nomination, a confirming bank, if any, and the issuing bank shall each authorization, but under the frame of UCP600, it is replaced by the italic sentence. Even though this section uses the word must, there are different in next item. So I don t know the effect of must in item a. Opposite to item a, item b states the condition when L/C does not state the reimbursement is subject to ICC rules. Must provide authorization is the same as UCP500. It is almost same as Art 19 B of UCP500. It renews D of UCP500, and adds the words who will be responsible for any interest, expense etc. It is similar to Art 19 E of UCP500. It is similar to Art 19 C of UCP500. It includes more details than Art 13 of UCP500. It states that the nominated bank, confirming bank and issuing bank must examine documents independently. No essential changes happened. There are two changes than before, one is that the checking time is decrease to 5 10

12 have a maximum of five banking days following the day of presentation to determine if a presentation is complying. This period is not curtailed or otherwise affected by the occurrence on or after the date of presentation of any expiry date or last day for presentation. c. A presentation including one or more original transport documents subject to articles 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 or 25 must be made by or on behalf of the beneficiary not later than 21 calendar days after the date of shipment as described in these rules, but in any event not later than the expiry date of the credit. d. Data in a document, when read in context with the credit, the document itself and international standard banking practice, need not be identical to, but must not conflict with, data in that document, any other stipulated document or the credit. e. In documents other than the commercial invoice, the description of the goods, services or performance, if stated, may be in general terms not conflicting with their description in the credit. f. If a credit requires presentation of a document other than a transport document, insurance document or commercial invoice, without stipulating by whom the document is to be issued or its data content, banks will accept the document as presented if its content appears to fulfil the function of the required document and otherwise complies with sub-article 14 (d). g. A document presented but not required by the credit will be disregarded and may be returned to the presenter. h. If a credit contains a condition without stipulating the document to indicate compliance with the condition, banks will deem such condition as not stated and will disregard it. i. A document may be dated prior to the issuance date of the credit, but must not be dated later than its date of presentation. banking days i/o 7 before, and the other is that italic parts are increased. It differs from Art 43 of UCP500 at all, it strictly restricts the documents to be presented within 21 calendar days and the L/C need not stipulate the period for presentation. Of course, the presentation must be finished not later than the expiry date of L/C. It restates that what are compliance and consistency. Please refer to R251. It is similar to Art 37 C of UCP500. And please note that it is a misunderstanding that documents other than invoice should state the description of the goods. Refer to R364. But any way, the documents without description goods must be founded sufficient relationship with other documents, which L/C required. It is similar to Art 21 of UCP500. Please note the italic wording about fulfill the function, it maybe bring some bother in future. It is a new clause in UCP600. As to presenter, please refer to Art 2. It is similar to Art 13 C of UCP500. It is similar to Art 22 of UCP500. And the sentence but presentation is added, in another word, it expresses clearly that the documents must be presented within the presentation period of L/C. j. When the addresses of the beneficiary and the 11

13 applicant appear in any stipulated document, they need not be the same as those stated in the credit or in any other stipulated document, but must be within the same country as the respective addresses mentioned in the credit. Contact details (telefax, telephone, and the like) stated as part of the beneficiary s and the applicant s address will be disregarded. However, when the address and contact details of the applicant appear as part of the consignee or notify party details on a transport document subject to articles 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 or 25, they must be as stated in the credit. k. The shipper or consignor of the goods indicated on any document need not be the beneficiary of the credit. l. A transport document may be issued by any party other than a carrier, owner, master or charterer provided that the transport document meets the requirements of articles 19, 20, 21, 22, 23 or 24 of these rules Article 15 Complying Presentation a. When an issuing bank determines that a presentation is complying, it must honour. b. When a confirming bank determines that a presentation is complying, it must honour or negotiate and forward the documents to the issuing bank. c. When a nominated bank determines that a presentation is complying and honours or negotiates, it must forward the documents to the confirming bank or issuing bank. Article 16 Discrepant Documents, Waiver and Notice a. When a nominated bank acting on its nomination, a confirming bank, if any, or the issuing bank determines that a presentation does not comply, it may refuse to honour or negotiate. b. When an issuing bank determines that a presentation does not comply, it may in its sole judgement approach the applicant for a waiver of the discrepancies. This does not, however, extend the period mentioned in sub-article 14 (b). This item stipulates the issues about address and telephone or fax number, which should be disregarded under the frame of UCP600. It comes from ISBP but go ahead again. But please note this sentence however in the credit. When these information are parts of consignee or notify party, they must comply with L/C. It is similar to Art 31 C of UCP500 but the scope has been extended to any document except bill of lading. It is a new clause but these actions exist in practice largely. It is a new article since the concept of Complying Presentation is presented at first under the frame of UCP600. It is liability of Issuing Bank, which is the same as UCP500. It is liability of Confirming Bank, which is the same as UCP500. It is the same as the practice under the frame of UCP500, merely it has become official clause of UCP600. It is similar to Art 14 of UCP500 It is similar to Art 14 B of UCP500. But, refer to the description of Art 2 of UCP600 hereto, when a presentation is not complying presentation, bank should not purchase the documents; if the bank buys the documents, it could not get the jural rights for negotiating bank. It is the same as Art 14 C of UCP

14 c. When a nominated bank acting on its nomination, a confirming bank, if any, or the issuing bank decides to refuse to honour or negotiate, it must give a single notice to that effect to the presenter. The notice must state: i. that the bank is refusing to honour or negotiate; and ii. each discrepancy in respect of which the bank refuses to honour or negotiate; and iii.a) that the bank is holding the documents pending further instructions from the presenter; or b) that the issuing bank is holding the documents until it receives a waiver from the applicant and agrees to accept it, or receives further instructions from the presenter prior to agreeing to accept a waiver; or c) that the bank is returning the documents; or d) that the bank is acting in accordance with instructions previously received from the presenter. It is similar to the first half of Art 14 D of UCP500. And the presenter has replaced original sentence. Please note single. Following is about the content which the refuse notice should state. And there are some difference comparing with UCP500: i. Refusing to honour or negotiate replaced refuses the documents. ii. Each discrepancy replaced all discrepancy, the expression is more intense. iii.to compare with Art 14 D ii of UCP500, this item adds two new operating methods. One is item b, which exists in banking practice at present; however, it was neither stipulated by UCP500 nor advocated by ICC in fact. And now, it is permitted by ICC though the UCP600. The other is item d, which seems that the presenter has sent to the bank an instruction about how to process the documents with discrepancy in advance, therefore, the bank could process the documents as this previous instruction. d. The notice required in sub-article 16 (c) must be given by telecommunication or, if that is not possible, by other expeditious means no later than the close of the fifth banking day following the day of presentation. e. A nominated bank acting on its nomination, a confirming bank, if any, or the issuing bank may, after providing notice required by sub-article 16 (c) (iii) (a) or (b), return the documents to the presenter at any time. f. If an issuing bank or a confirming bank fails to act in accordance with the provisions of this article, it shall be precluded from claiming that the documents do not constitute a complying presentation. g. When an issuing bank refuses to honour or a confirming bank refuses to honour or negotiate and has given notice to that effect in accordance with this article, it shall then be entitled to claim a refund, with interest, of any reimbursement made. Article 17 Original Documents and Copies a. At least one original of each document stipulated in the credit must be presented. It is similar to Art 14 D i of UCP500, merely the fifth banking day has replaced the seventh banking day. It is a new item to compare with UCP500 and banks are endued with more uninfluenced right to decide when they should return the documents since this article doesn t require banks to state the time of documents return. It is similar to Art 14 E of UCP500. It is similar to Art 14 D iii of UCP500. The Art 14 F of UCP500 about reserve has been deleted by UCP600. It is a new article including part of Art 20 B & C of UCP500, It comes from ISBP32. 13

15 b. A bank shall treat as an original any document bearing an apparently original signature, mark, stamp, or label of the issuer of the document, unless the document itself indicates that it is not an original. c. Unless a document indicates otherwise, a bank will also accept a document as original if it: i. appears to be written, typed, perforated or stamped by the document issuer s hand; or ii.appears to be on the document issuer s original stationery; or iii.states that it is original, unless the statement appears not to apply to the document presented. d. If a credit requires presentation of copies of documents, presentation of either originals or copies is permitted. e. If a credit requires presentation of multiple documents by using terms such as "in duplicate", "in two fold" or "in two copies", this will be satisfied by the presentation of at least one original and the remaining number in copies, except when the document itself indicates otherwise. Article 18 Commercial Invoice It is similar Art 20 B of UCP500. However, if a document appears to be original but is in fact not original, according to Art 34 of this rule, banks will not undertake any responsibility. For example, if beneficiary present a photocopy of B/L marked original and signed by carrier, should the bank accept it as original B/L? It fully comes from the item 1 General approach Art 3 of The determination of an "Original" document in the context of UCP 500 sub-article 20(b). And item iii. responds the clause b above. And this determination is recommended for further guidance under UCP600, please refer to ISBP(600) paragraph 33. It comes from ISBP 33. It is the same as Art 20 C ii of UCP500 and ISBP33. But, what about L/C requires Signed Invoice in 3 copies? What is not an "Original"? A document indicates that it is not an original if it a) appears to be produced on a telefax machine; b) appears to be a photocopy of another document which has not otherwise been completed by hand marking the photocopy or by photocopying it on what appears to be original stationery; or c) states in the document that it is a true copy of another document or that another document is the sole original. Quoted from mentioned determination above. It is similar to Art 37 of UCP500. a. A commercial invoice: i. must appear to have been issued by the beneficiary (except as provided in article 38); ii. must be made out in the name of the applicant (except as provided in sub-article 38 (g)); iii. must be made out in the same currency as the credit; and It is similar to Art 37 A i of UCP500 except that the words on their face was deleted. It is the same as Art 37 A ii of UCP500. It is a new clause come from ISBP 64, which included unit price (if any). 14

16 iv. need not be signed. b. A nominated bank acting on its nomination, a confirming bank, if any, or the issuing bank may accept a commercial invoice issued for an amount in excess of the amount permitted by the credit, and its decision will be binding upon all parties, provided the bank in question has not honoured or negotiated for an amount in excess of that permitted by the credit. c. The description of the goods, services or performance in a commercial invoice must correspond with that appearing in the credit. Article 19 Transport Document Covering at Least Two Different Modes of Transport a. A transport document covering at least two different modes of transport (multimodal or combined transport document), however named, must appear to: i. indicate the name of the carrier and be signed 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 by the carrier, master or agent must be identified as that of the carrier, master or agent. Any signature by an agent must indicate whether the agent has signed for or on behalf of the carrier, or for or on behalf of the master. ii. indicate that the goods have been dispatched, taken in charge or shipped on board at the place stated in the credit, by: pre-printed wording, or a stamp or notation indicating the date on which the goods have been dispatched, taken in charge or shipped on board. It is the same as Art 37 A iii of UCP500. It is similar to Art 37 B of UCP500. It is similar to Art 37 C of UCP500, merely the clause about other documents description of goods was deleted. Please refer to Art 14 e of this rule. It is similar to Art 26 of UCP500, merely the title has changed very long. Generally, this article is simpler than original one. The importance change is that the words multimodal transport operator were deleted. From that, we could presume that ICC considered the role of multimodal transport operator as the carrier. Therefore, it is no necessary to use the words operator. And the words or otherwise authenticated by were deleted. It is similar to Art 26 A of UCP500. These two items don t indicate the content about the issue to identify the capacity of the carrier since the requirement has been stipulated in above item. Please see the italic sentence indicate carrier in item a i of this rule. It is similar to Art 26 A ii of UCP500. But the italic words replaced the by stamp or otherwise. The pre-printed wording and notation have covered for otherwise, I think. And this mark must not be dated, if the date was added, it should be deemed as the date of shipment. This is the same requirement as UCP500. The date of issuance of the transport document will be deemed to be the date of dispatch, taking in charge or shipped on board and the date of shipment. However, if the transport document indicates, by stamp or notation, a date of dispatch, taking in 15

17 charge or shipped on board, this date will be deemed to be the date of shipment. iii. indicate the place of dispatch, taking in charge or shipment and the place of final destination stated in the credit, even if: a. the transport document states, in addition, a different place of dispatch, taking in charge or shipment or place of final destination, It is similar to Art 26 A iii of UCP500. It is similar to Art 26 A iii a of UCP500. or b. the transport document contains the indication "intended" or similar qualification in relation to the vessel, port of loading or port of discharge. iv. be the sole original transport document or, if issued in more than one original, be the full set as indicated on the transport document. v. contain terms and conditions of carriage or make reference to another source containing the terms and conditions of carriage (short form or blank back transport document). Contents of terms and conditions of carriage will not be examined. vi. contain no indication that it is subject to a charter party. b. For the purpose of this article, transhipment means unloading from one means of conveyance and reloading to another means of conveyance (whether or not in different modes of transport) during the carriage from the place of dispatch, taking in charge or shipment to the place of final destination stipulated in the credit. c. i. A transport document may indicate that the goods will or may be transhipped provided that the entire carriage is covered by one and the same transport document. It is similar to Art 26 A iii b of UCP500. It is similar to Art 26 A iv of UCP500. It is similar to Art 26 A v of UCP500. It is similar to Art 26 A vi of UCP500 but the words the carrying vessel is propelled by sail only. Maybe the sail vessels have been washed out in sailing practice. It is a new item, however, in a multimodal transshipment, transhipment will occur, which comes from ISBP 131. It is similar to Art 26 B of UCP500, but it was divided into two parts, which present the same meaning. I have no idea about it. ii. A transport document indicating that transhipment will or may take place is acceptable, even if the credit prohibits transhipment. 16

18 Article 20 Bill of Lading a. A bill of lading, however named, must appear to: i. indicate the name of the carrier and be signed 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. It is similar to Art 23 of UCP500. Generally, this article is simpler than original one. And the words or otherwise authenticated by were deleted. These words are the same as last article and similar to Art 23 A i of UCP500 Any signature by the carrier, master or agent must be identified as that of the carrier, master or agent. Any signature by an agent must indicate whether the agent has signed for or on behalf of the carrier or for or on behalf of the master. ii. indicate that the goods have been shipped on board a named vessel at the port of loading stated in the credit by: pre-printed wording, or an on board notation indicating the date on which the goods have been shipped on board. The date of issuance of the bill of lading will be deemed to be the date of shipment unless the bill of lading contains an on board notation indicating the date of shipment, in which case the date stated in 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 name of the vessel, an on board notation indicating the date of shipment and the name of the actual vessel is required. iii. indicate shipment from the port of loading to the port of discharge stated in the credit. Comparing with Art 23 A ii of UCP500, there are three differences. The first is that the item about port of loading was presented advanced. The second is that the change about the date of shipment, which overdraw the original standard. Please refer to the italic sentence below. The third is that shipped replaced the original in UCP500. so that should it not accept that b/l marked shipped on board notation only? Under UCP500, we should distinguish the type of b/l. In case it is ship on board b/l, the on board notation need not be marked since the issuance date should be considered as the date of shipment. Then, if the notation is appeared with date, the date should be considered as the date of shipment whatever it is earlier or later than the issuance date. In case the b/l is received b/l, the notation without date should be accepted and the issue date should be considered as date of shipment. However, in some special cases, the date of shipment for on board notation is necessary, let s go ahead. It is similar to Art 23 A ii of UCP500. It includes the last paragraph of Art 23 A ii and iii of UCP500. But please note the italic word from to, UCP500 used the words 17