Uniform Customs and Practice for documentary credits (1993 Revision) A GENERAL PROVISIONS AND DEFINITIONS Article 1. Application of UCP The Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Cred its, 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 Cred it)where they are incorporated into the text of the Cred it. 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 Cred it "(hereinafter referred to as"Credit(s)"), mean 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)authorizes another bank to effect such payment, or to accept and pay such bills of exchange(Draft(s),or i) authorizes another bank to negotiate, against stipulated document(s), provided that the terms and conditions of the Credit are com plied with. For the purposes of these Articles, branches of a bank in different countries are considered another bank Article 3. Credits y. 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 Cred it Consequently, the undertaking of a bank to pay, accept and pay Draft(s)or negotiate and/or to fulfill any other obligation under the Credit, is not subject to claims or defenses 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
Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits (1993 Revision) 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) "), mean 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) authorizes another bank to effect such payment, or to accept and pay such bills of exchange(Draft(s)), or iii) authorizes 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 countries 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 fulfill any other obligation under the Credit, is not subject to claims or defenses 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 Good s/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 Cred its a Instructions for the issuance of a Cred it the cred it itself. instructions for an amendment thereto and the amend ment itself must be complete and precise. In order to guard against confusion and misunderstand ing, banks should discourage any attempt i to include excessive detail in the Credit or in any amendment thereto i)to give instructions to issue, advise or confirm a Credit by reference to a Cred it previously issued(similar Credit )where such previous Cred it has been subject to accepted amendment(s), and/or unaccepted amendment(s), b. All instructions for the issuance of a cred it and the cred it 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 Cred its a. a Cred it may be either irevocable, or ii) irrevocable b. The Credit, therefore, should clearly indicate whether it is revocable or irrevocable c. In the absence of such ind ication the cred it shall be deemed to be irrevocable Article 7. Advising Bank's Liability a. A Cred it 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 Cred it, shall take reasonable care to check the apparent authentic ity of the Credit which it advises. If the bank elects not to advise the cred it. it must so inform the Issuing Bank without delay b. Ifthe 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 Cred it and if it elects nonetheless to ad vise the Credit it must inform the beneficiary that it has not been able to establish the authenticity of the Credit Article 8 Revocation of a Cred it a. A revocable Cred it may be amended or cancelled by the Issuing
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 authenticity 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 Cred it 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 cond itions of the Cred it 1i) 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 documents which appear on their face to be in compliance with the terms and conditions of the cred it Article 9. Liability of Issuing and Confirming Banks a. an irrevocable cred it 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 Cred it are complied with i)if the Cred it provides for sight payment-to pay at sight; ii)if the Cred it provides for deferred payment-to pay on the maturity date(s)determinable in accordance with the stipulations of the Credi 1 if the Cred it provides fo (a)by the Issuing Bank-to accept Draft(s) drawn by the Beneficiary on the Issuing Bank and pay them at maturity,or (b) by another drawee bank-to accept at maturity Draft(s) drawn by the Benefici Bank in the the drawee bank stipulated in the Cred it does not accept Draft(s) drawn on it, or to pay Draft(s)accepted but not paid by such drawee bank at mati iv) if the Credit provides for negotiation-to pay without recourse to drawers and/or bona fide holders, Draft(s)drawn by the Beneficiary and/or document(s) presented under the Credit. A Cred it should not be issued available by Draft(s)on the Applicant. Ifthe Cred it 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 Cred it by another bank(the Confirming Bank" )upon the authorization 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 cond itions of the cred it are complied with
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 Beneficiary 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 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). b. A confirmation of an irrevocable Credit by another bank (the "Confirming Bank") upon the authorization 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 Cred it 1i) if the Cred it 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 Cred it. A Credit should not be issued available by Draft(s)on the Applicant. Ifthe 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 authorized or requested by the Issuing Bank to add its confirmation to a Cred it but is not prepared to do so, it must so inform the Issuing Bank without delay 1i Unless the Issuing Bank specifies otherwise in its authorization or request to add confirmation, the Advising Bank may advise the Credit to the beneficiary without add ing 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 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 ad vise an amendment to the beneficiary without extend ing its confirmation and if so, must inform the Issuing Bank and the Beneficiary without delay iii The terms of the original Credit(or a Cred it incorporating previously accepted amendment(s)will remain in force for the Beneficiary until the Beneficiary communicates his acceptance of the amend ment to the bank that ad vised such amend ment the Beneficiary should give notification of acceptance or rejection of amendment(s). If the Beneficiary fails to give such notif ication, the tender of documents to the Nominated Bank or Issuing Bank, that
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 authorized 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 authorization 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 Cred it 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 Cred its must clearly indicate whether they are available by sight payment, by deferred payment, by acceptance or by egotiation b i) Unless the Cred it stipulates that it is available only with the Issuing Bank, all Credits must nominate the bank(the"Nominated Bank ")which is authorized to pay, to incur a deferred payment undertaking, to accept Draft(s)or to negotiate. In a freely negotiable 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 authorized 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 authorizing or requesting another bank to add its confirmation, the Issuing Bank authorizes 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 cond itions of the cred it and undertakes to reimburse such bank in accordance with the provisions of these Articles Article 11. Tel ai)When an Issuing Bank instructs an Advising bank by an authenticated teletransmission to advise a cred it or an amend ment 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
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 authorized to pay, to incur a deferred payment undertaking, to accept Draft(s) or to negotiate. In a freely negotiable 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 authorized 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 authorizing or requesting another bank to add its confirmation, the Issuing Bank authorizes 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