Guide To MT400–MT499 And Related SWIFT Messages For Documentary Collections
Bottom line:
CAD, DP, and DA use SWIFT Category 4. The flow is simple: acknowledge receipt, present, advise acceptance or payment, chase, report fate, and amend if needed. Pick the right MT4xx at each step and pair with payment messages only when funds must move. URC 522 requires timely advices of payment, acceptance, and non-payment.
Which SWIFT Message Do You Need
Two quick inputs. Get the correct MT code for CAD, DP, or DA events.
Step 1 of 3
Recommended SWIFT Messages
Final routing depends on KYC, sanctions, and bank tariffs.
MT400–MT499 Quick Index
| Code |
Purpose |
Who Sends To Whom |
| MT400
|
Advice of payment under a collection. Can also settle proceeds. |
Collecting bank to Remitting bank |
| MT405
|
Clean collection instruction or advice. |
Remitting bank and Collecting bank |
| MT410
|
Acknowledgement of receipt of collection. |
Collecting bank to Remitting bank |
| MT412
|
Advice of acceptance of draft under DA. Includes maturity. |
Collecting bank to Remitting bank |
| MT416
|
Advice of non-payment or non-acceptance. |
Collecting bank to Remitting bank |
| MT420
|
Tracer to enquire about fate of documents. |
Remitting bank to Collecting bank |
| MT422
|
Advice of fate and request for instructions. |
Collecting bank to Remitting bank |
| MT430
|
Amendment of collection instructions. |
Remitting bank to Collecting bank |
| MT450/455/456
|
Cash letter credit, adjustments, and advice of dishonor. |
As per bank cash letter process |
| MT490/491
|
Advice or request for charges, interest, expenses. |
Between involved banks |
| MT492
|
Request for cancellation. |
Sending bank to counterparty bank |
| MT495/496
|
Queries and answers on collections. |
Between involved banks |
| MT498/499
|
Proprietary and free-format trade messages when no specific type fits. |
Between involved banks |
CAD, DP, DA: Message Flow In Practice
- Receipt Acknowledged.
Collecting bank confirms documents arrived with MT410.
- Presentation To Buyer.
Bank presents under URC 522. If the buyer accepts a draft under DA, send MT412 with maturity.
- Payment Or Non-Payment.
On CAD or DP payment, send MT400. If the buyer refuses, send MT416 and follow with MT422 for fate and instructions.
- Chasing.
Use MT420 tracers if status stalls.
- Amend Or Cancel.
Change instructions with MT430. Cancel with MT492 if allowed.
When You Need Payment Messages
Category 4 reports fate. It does not always move money. If proceeds must move through correspondents, banks may pair the collection advice with a payment message. MT103 covers a customer credit transfer. MT202 COV is the bank-to-bank cover that moves funds behind the MT103. Use them only when settlement is required.
| Message |
Use Case |
Notes |
| MT103
Customer Credit Transfer |
Final leg to credit the exporter’s account when funds travel as a customer payment. |
Often used with documentary collections when proceeds are remitted across correspondents. |
| MT202 COV
FI Cover Transfer |
Moves funds bank-to-bank to cover an MT103 instruction in a cover payment chain. |
Traceable cover supports compliance and AML requirements. |
Related Trade Messages If You Switch To An LC
If CAD or DP/DA is not enough, move to a documentary credit. The LC family sits in Category 7. Core types include MT700 issue, MT707 amendment, MT734 refusal, and MT754 advice of payment or negotiation. For guarantees and standbys, banks use MT760.
Fields That Cause Delays If Wrong
- References.
Keep Sender’s Reference
and Related Reference
consistent across MT410, MT412, MT416, and MT400 so the chain reconciles.
- Amounts And Maturity.
In MT412, include the correct amount and maturity for accepted drafts. In MT400, show deductions and disposal of funds clearly.
- Narratives.
Use field 72 only for short, clear instructions. Do not add LC-style conditions to collections. URC 522 is the rule set.
Electronic Presentation:
if parties agree to eURC, set the format and channel in advance between remitting and collecting banks. Do not mark a collection as eURC unless that bilateral setup exists.
Need The Right Route And Messages
Send your draft invoice, transport plan, and buyer bank. We will confirm the MT flow and settlement path.
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This guide is for corporate users. It summarizes public SWIFT standards and URC 522 practice. Banks apply their own tariffs, formats, and KYC rules.