Usance Letter of Credit for Importers (30–180 Day Terms)
Need supplier paid at sight while you pay at maturity? A Usance LC under UCP600 sets 30, 60, 90, 120, or 180 day terms, allocates charges, and names a processing bank so goods move and cash flow matches sales. If required, UPAS pays the seller at sight with reimbursement at tenor.
Apply for
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Usance LC 30–180 days (USD/EUR/GBP)
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UPAS LC payable at sight with deferred reimbursement
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Optional confirmation by rated banks
Typical limits
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Ticket size: 1m to 100m per LC
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Programs: larger on rolling shipments
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Sectors: commodities, machinery, FMCG, chemicals
Rate drivers
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Issuing bank and country risk
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Tenor length and need for confirmation
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Document quality and performance history
Commercial outcomes
Supply assurance
Sight payment to supplier after compliant presentation removes haggling over cash terms and protects delivery slots.
Working capital control
You reimburse at maturity once goods convert to receivables or sales, lowering pressure on cash.
Bankability
Clear UCP600 wording, named processing bank, and defined charges support internal credit approvals.
Eligibility and documents required
Baseline eligibility
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Operating company with audited or reviewed financials
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Purchase contract or PO, Incoterms, shipment plan
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Acceptable issuer and country risk for requested tenor
Document checklist
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KYC pack, corporate docs, ownership table
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Financials and bank statements
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Draft LC text with rules, documents, and dates
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Named nominated or confirming bank if required
Wording that speeds approval
Supportive clauses
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Irrevocable LC under UCP600
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UPAS or acceptance terms and maturity date stated
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Clear charges clause for usance interest
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Standard transport and inspection documents
Risky clauses
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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 fees and interest
Amount 5,000,000. Tenor 90 days. Usance interest 6.25 percent per annum. Optional confirmation 0.55 percent flat. Processing 0.15 percent. Time fraction equals 90 divided by 360 or 0.25. Interest equals 5,000,000 multiplied by 0.0625 multiplied by 0.25 which is about 78,125. Confirmation equals 27,500. Processing equals 7,500. Final allocation of charges follows the LC.
Steps to closing
- Submit draft LC, contract or PO, shipment plan, KYC, and financials.
- Receive indicative terms: tenor, fees, confirmation path, controls.
- Align wording: rules, document set, shipment and presentation dates, charges clause.
- Bank approvals and fee letters from issuing and processing banks.
- Issuance and circulation of settlement instructions.
- Presentation, sight payout to supplier if applicable, and reimbursement at maturity.
Frequently asked questions
Can this be set up as UPAS so the supplier is paid at sight?
Yes. UPAS enables sight payment with reimbursement at maturity, subject to bank approval and wording.
Do I need a confirming bank for longer tenors?
Not always. Confirmation is common for higher risk issuers or to support without recourse. It depends on bank names and country risk.
Who pays the usance interest and fees?
The LC charges clause sets this. Many programs place costs on the applicant. Other splits are acceptable if agreed in the contract and LC.
What documents must the supplier present?
Standard transport documents, invoice set, packing list, and any inspection or origin certificates listed in the LC.
Request Usance LC Indicative Terms
Send 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, tenor, and documentary quality.