How to Use a Documentary LC to Secure Commodity Purchases
A clean, bank issued Documentary Letter of Credit gives sellers payment certainty and lets buyers control shipment through precise documents. If you set the structure, timelines, and MT700 terms correctly, you reduce disputes, cut delays, and keep cash flow predictable. This guide shows exactly how to deploy a DLC for real commodity trades without games or vague promises.
Outcome:
a bank issued, UCP 600 compliant MT700 with the right confirmation, doc set, and timelines so goods move and payment clears on time.
When a DLC fits a commodity deal
- Counterparty risk is material and prepayment is off the table.
- Seller wants bank risk, not buyer risk.
- Shipment is cross border with unfamiliar ports, carriers, or inspection agents.
- You need control over shipment release via original bills of lading or telex release rules.
- Local FX controls or country risk make confirmation prudent.
Core structures to consider
| Structure |
Use case |
Notes |
| Sight DLC |
Cargo where seller needs cash on compliant presentation |
Fastest for sellers, buyer funds or line must be ready |
| Usance DLC |
Buyer needs time to resell cargo before paying |
Buyer drafts payable at X days after shipment or acceptance |
| UPAS LC |
Seller wants sight funds, buyer wants usance economics |
Bank pays seller at sight, buyer pays bank at maturity with discount cost |
| Confirmed DLC |
High country or issuing bank risk |
Add a first class confirming bank to shift risk and speed payment |
Incoterms and document control
| Incoterm |
Key docs to require in MT700 |
Buyer control point |
| FOB |
On board ocean bill of lading, commercial invoice, packing list, COO, inspection if needed |
Carrier selection and B/L originals control |
| CFR |
On board B/L, invoice, packing list, COO, weight and quality cert if applicable |
Shipment window and partials control |
| CIF |
Same as CFR plus insurance policy or certificate with required coverage |
Insurance terms and claims payee wording |
| DAP |
CMR or AWB, delivery note, invoice, packing list, local docs as agreed |
Delivery evidence and inspection at destination |
MT700 drafting checklist
Get these fields right and you avoid most discrepancies. Keep language simple and test against real carrier and inspection practice.
| Field |
What to specify |
| 40A Form of LC |
Irrevocable, transferable only if needed |
| 41A Available with |
Nominated bank by sight or acceptance, or any bank if appropriate |
| 42C Drafts at |
Sight, or X days after shipment or acceptance |
| 44C, 44E, 44F |
Shipment period, loading port, discharge port, allow partials if needed |
| 46A Documents required |
Invoice, clean on board B/L, packing list, insurance if required, COO, weight and quality cert, inspection by named firm if any |
| 47A Additional conditions |
Presentation period, no third party docs unless listed, tolerances, HS codes if useful, telex release rules if allowed |
| 71B Charges |
Define who pays issuance, advising, confirmation, reimbursement, and discount costs |
Commodity specific document sets
Refined fuels
Invoice, on board B/L, inspection and quantity by SGS or equivalent, certificate of quality, ullage or shore tank receipt, insurance if CIF, certificate of origin.
Metals concentrate
Invoice, clean B/L, moisture and assay certificates, provisional weight certificate, sampling protocol, insurance if CIF, COO. Allow for provisional pricing terms.
Grains
Invoice, clean B/L, phytosanitary certificate, fumigation certificate, weight and quality cert, insurance if CIF, COO, packing list.
Timeline and fees that actually show up
- Draft and approval: 3 to 7 business days once the bank has a complete file.
- Issuance to shipment: based on contract window, build in a buffer.
- Presentation to payment: sight 2 to 5 business days if confirmed and compliant, usance per tenor.
- Typical cost bands: issuance and advising 0.5 to 1.5 percent per year equivalent, confirmation based on country and bank risk, document checking a fixed per presentation fee, UPAS discount at a spread over a benchmark rate.
Common errors that kill payment
- Document requirements that cannot be produced in the real world, for example carrier wording that lines never issue.
- Mismatched dates, shipment window outside 44C, or stale documents beyond the presentation period.
- Name or address variations between contract, invoice, and LC that fail strict compliance.
- Inspection firm not named or not accepted by the buyer or the bank.
- Charges not allocated in 71B, which creates pushback at confirmation or reimbursement.
What banks expect to see in the application
Buyer package
- Audited or management accounts, recent bank statements
- Signed sales contract with Incoterms and shipment plan
- Credit line capacity or collateral plan for issuance
- Sanctions, AML, and KYC documentation
Seller facing details
- Nominated bank for advising and, if required, confirmation
- Accepted inspection firms and methods
- Partial shipments, transshipment policy, tolerance on quantity and value
- Presentation period and document list in plain language
Red flags to avoid
- Requests to issue a DLC without a real contract or shipment plan.
- Unfunded buyers asking for confirmed DLC without bankable financials.
- Document sets that rely on third parties who will not cooperate.
- Jurisdictions with active sanctions risk or blocked banks.
Request DLC issuance or confirmation terms
Send your sales contract, shipment plan, and preferred document set. We will confirm eligibility and return a draft MT700 and pricing.
Start the Process
This guide is informational. Any letter of credit arrangement is subject to KYC and AML checks, credit approval, and executed agreements. Rules apply under UCP 600. UPAS, reimbursement, and discounting terms depend on banks and jurisdictions. Financely is an independent advisor, not a bank, and does not guarantee issuance without underwriting and bank approval.