Documentary Credits
RBI Relaxes Usance LC Limit For Gold Imports
India’s central bank has issued a new FEMA framework for export and import transactions that takes effect on
1 October 2026. One practical change for bullion and jewellery supply chains: the prior
90-day cap
on suppliers’/buyers’ credit and the
LC usance period
for gold imports is being relaxed under the new regulations.
What Changed
Usance Tenor Flexibility For Gold Imports
The new framework relaxes the earlier 90-day restriction on suppliers’/buyers’ credit and the usance period under letters of credit for imports of gold.
In plain English: longer deferred payment structures can be permitted, subject to bank policy and the underlying contract.
Advance Remittance Still Restricted
Advance remittance for import of gold and silver is still not permitted under the new framework. That forces importers back into bank-intermediated settlement tools such as documentary credits and structured trade credit.
Tell-it-like-it-is:
“relaxed” does not mean “automatic approval.” Banks will still price tenor risk, adjust cash margins, tighten document conditions, and demand stronger controls when maturity is pushed out.
Why This Matters For Usance Letters Of Credit
A usance letter of credit (often called a deferred payment LC) is a documentary credit where the beneficiary gets paid at a future maturity date after compliant documents are presented.
The buyer gets time to sell, process, or distribute the goods before cash leaves its account. The cost is higher bank exposure over the usance period.
If you want a clean refresher on structures, see our internal explainer: Difference Between Usance And Acceptance LC.
Operational Impact
| Stakeholder |
Likely Benefit |
Credit Committee Pushback |
| Gold Importers |
More room to match payment with inventory turnover and wholesale settlement cycles |
Higher cash margin, tighter document conditions, stricter shipment and valuation controls |
| Exporters / Suppliers |
More flexibility to offer deferred terms to win volume, especially when combined with discounting |
Reliance on issuing bank quality and document strictness stays non-negotiable |
| Banks |
More product room: deferred payment LC, acceptance, discounting, UPAS variants |
Tenor risk, price risk, fraud risk, and KYC burden rise with maturity extension |
| Confirming / Discounting Banks |
Expanded opportunity to discount compliant usance obligations for the beneficiary |
Needs clean document flow, strong issuing bank, clear reimbursement path, and sanctions comfort |
UPAS, Discounting, And The Practical Reality
Many exporters do not want to wait 90 to 180 days for cash. In practice, the market often bridges this through discounting structures where the exporter is paid earlier (sometimes “at sight”) while the importer keeps deferred payment terms.
This is where pricing, bank appetite, and document discipline decide everything.
Common failure point:
firms treat a usance LC like a casual payment promise. It is not. One document discrepancy can still trigger refusal, delays, or expensive amendments. If your trade pack is sloppy, longer tenor just extends the pain.
How Financely Supports Bankable LC Structures
Trade Pack And LC Workup
We align the commercial contract, incoterms, documents, and payment mechanics so the LC reads like a credit file, not a wish list.
Bank Routing And Controls
We map issuing bank options, confirmation logic where needed, and the control points that reduce fraud and settlement risk.
Execution Through Regulated Partners
Where regulated execution is required, delivery is coordinated through appropriately licensed firms operating under their own approvals.
Binary Outcome Standard
We run a transaction-led process: executable lender terms or a written decline. No endless “consulting” loops.
Disclosure
Expand Disclosure
This post is general information for commercial participants and is not legal, tax, or investment advice. Regulatory interpretation depends on your facts, authorised dealer policies, and final documentation.
Financely does not lend and does not guarantee outcomes. Any financing, confirmation, discounting, or documentary credit issuance is subject to KYC, AML, sanctions screening, diligence, and independent bank approval.
Where regulated execution is required, delivery is coordinated through appropriately licensed firms operating under their own approvals.
Need A Bankable Usance LC Structure
Submit your trade flow, counterparties, contract, and target LC terms. We will assess financeability and pursue executable term sheets or issue a written decline.