Documentary Letter of Credit at Sight (UCP600)
A DLC at sight pays the seller once compliant documents are presented and examined. It secures delivery slots, reduces counterparty risk, and keeps pricing predictable. We structure the wording, align banks, and manage the path from draft MT700 to document examination and settlement so cargo moves without cash disputes.
Best for
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Importers needing firm shipment and price certainty
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Traders facing tight supplier credit policies
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Contracts requiring bank-to-bank settlement
Typical terms
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Sight payment against compliant presentation
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Amounts 1m to 100m per LC, larger by program
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Currencies USD, EUR, GBP and others by approval
Main decision drivers
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Issuer strength and country risk
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Need for confirmation by a second bank
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Clarity and discipline of the LC wording
Scope of work
Structuring
UCP600 reference, documents list, latest shipment and presentation, tolerance, transshipment limits, Incoterms, reimbursement path, and charges clause.
Bank lineup
Issuer selection, advising or nominated bank capacity, optional confirmation, and MT740 reimbursement where needed.
Execution
Draft MT700, approvals and fee letters, issuance, document examination support, discrepancy management, and settlement tracking.
Eligibility and documents required
Baseline profile
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Operating company with verifiable revenues
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Purchase contract or PO with Incoterms and shipment plan
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Acceptable issuer and country risk for the corridor
Document checklist
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KYC pack, corporate docs, ownership table
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Audited or reviewed financials and bank statements
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Draft LC text with rules, documents, and dates
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Nominated or confirming bank preference if any
Wording that speeds approval
Supportive wording
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Irrevocable DLC subject to UCP600
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Clear latest shipment and presentation periods
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Standard transport, inspection, and origin documents
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Named nominated bank with processing capacity
Risk creating wording
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Ambiguous quality or bespoke certificates
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Conflicting shipment and presentation dates
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Restrictions forcing negotiation to unknown banks
Illustrative costs
Amount 3,000,000. Sight LC. Issuance fee 0.40 percent flat. Advising 0.10 percent. Document examination 0.10 percent. Optional confirmation 0.50 percent flat depending on issuer and country risk. Total bank charges about 3,000,000 multiplied by combined fee percentages. Final allocation follows the LC charges clause.
Steps to issuance and settlement
- Submit draft LC, contract or PO, shipment plan, KYC, and financials.
- Receive indicative terms, bank lineup, and fee letters.
- Finalize wording and reimbursement path, then issue MT700.
- Ship and present documents to the nominated or confirming bank.
- Documents are examined, discrepancies cured or accepted.
- Payment is made at sight and settlement is reconciled across banks.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need confirmation for a DLC at sight?
Not always. Confirmation is common when issuer or country risk is higher or where the seller requires a local paying bank undertaking.
Can partial shipments and transshipment be allowed?
Yes if stated. Allowing them can improve logistics but wording must be consistent with Incoterms and transport documents.
Who pays the bank charges?
The LC charges clause sets this. A common split is applicant pays issuing charges and beneficiary pays advising and negotiation, but other splits are acceptable.
What documents are usually required?
Commercial invoice, transport document, packing list, certificate of origin, and inspection where applicable. The list must match the LC text exactly.
Request DLC at Sight Indicative Terms
Share the draft LC text, contract or PO, shipment plan, KYC, and financials to receive eligibility feedback and pricing bands.
Request Indicative Terms
Financely acts as advisor and arranger on a best efforts basis. All transactions are subject to KYC and AML, sanctions screening, document compliance, and approvals by counterparties. Nothing here is a commitment to lend or an offer of securities. Terms depend on bank names, jurisdiction, and documentary quality.