Why LME-Discount, CIF Copper Without Pre-Financing Isn’t Real: No Money, No Metal
Why LME-Discount, CIF Copper Without Pre-Financing Isn’t Real: No Money, No Metal
The pitch is always the same: “We want Grade A cathodes, CIF, at an LME discount. A buyer in China is ready. We will pay from proceeds.”
That is not a deal. That is a request for the seller to fund your trade, carry price and logistics risk, and gift you the arbitrage.
If a clean discount existed, the producer or a tier-1 trader would lift it themselves.
The core point
Copper sells. Everyone “has a buyer.” What sellers need is capital
or bankable paper.
No pre-financing, no confirmed LC, no inventory facility = no title, no release, no shipment.
The short answer
LME-discount, CIF terms without pre-financing are rejected on contact. Bring money or a confirmed instrument, or there is no metal.
What sellers expect
- Pre-payment or LC at sight (confirmed):
Cash on presentation of clean documents.
- Clear brand and location:
LME-listed brand, approved warehouse, known operator.
- Defined Incoterms:
CIF means seller pays freight and insurance; price reflects that.
- Hedging and timing:
A plan for LME/SHFE basis and FX timing risk.
- Counterparty proof:
KYC complete, mandate direct to the decision-maker.
Myths vs reality
| Myth |
Reality |
| “There is 5,000 MT at a discount in a warehouse waiting for us.” |
If a real discount appears, producers and top traders take it first. Inventory at a true discount does not sit. |
| “CIF at LME–X% with payment from our onward sale.” |
CIF already puts cost and risk on the seller. A discount on top, without funding, is a non-starter. |
| “This is a risk-free flip to China.” |
Basis moves, VAT rules, brand acceptance, and port queues remove “risk-free.” If it was free, it was taken yesterday. |
| “Release from warehouse, then we pay.” |
No title without cash or a drawable, confirmed instrument. Warehouse receipts follow payment commitments. |
| “The seller needs our buyer.” |
Sellers have buyers. What they want is speed, certainty, and finance. |
How real copper trades clear
- Pre-payment / advance:
Buyer prepays a portion; seller ships against agreed LME formula and premium.
- Confirmed LC at sight:
First-class confirmation; seller draws at shipment/presentation.
- Inventory repo / receipts:
Financier pays against title in warehouse; buyer repurchases on exit.
- Offtake with rolling hedges:
Ongoing supply; pricing vs prompt LME; funding in place.
All four models require cash or credit capacity. None rely on “pay from proceeds later.”
What you must bring
- Funding:
Pre-finance production, place a confirmed LC, or arrange inventory finance. No money, no metal.
- Bankable paper:
Clean LC wording, confirmation by a top bank, or a committed facility that pays on presentation.
- Operational readiness:
Named warehouse operator, inspection protocol, shipping plan, and a hedge plan.
- Direct mandates:
Real buyer, documented acceptance of brand and payment terms.
Red flags we decline
| Pitch |
Reason it fails |
| “LME –5% CIF, payment from proceeds.” |
Seller funds cost and risk while giving a discount. Mispriced and unserious. |
| “5,000 MT monthly, buyer ready in China.” |
Everyone has a buyer. Show finance, LC terms, and acceptance criteria. |
| “Warehouse release before payment.” |
No release without cash or a confirmed, drawable instrument. |
| “We will hedge later.” |
No risk plan. Seller will not carry your exposure. |
Key terms (plain English)
LME:
London Metal Exchange, the price reference. CIF:
Seller pays Cost, Insurance, Freight to your port. Pre-financing:
Cash in before or at shipment. LC at sight:
Bank pays seller when documents are presented. Warehouse receipt:
Title document issued by the warehouse.
If you can fund working capital or place clean, confirmable paper, we will structure and execute a compliant copper offtake.
If you seek “LME discount, CIF, pay from proceeds,” we will pass.
Request Advisory Support
Financely Group arranges structured commodity trades and working-capital finance through licensed lenders and traders on a best-efforts basis.
Engagements require KYC/AML, sanctions screening, and signed mandates. We do not guarantee pricing or availability and we decline broker chains that assume risk-free arbitrage without funding.