Definition:

A letter of credit (LC) is a document issued by a bank on behalf of a buyer to a seller, guaranteeing payment to the seller if the buyer fulfills the terms of the contract.

Key Features:

• Issued by a bank: A letter of credit is issued by a bank on behalf of the buyer.
• Guarantees payment: The bank guarantees payment to the seller if the buyer fails to pay according to the contract.
• Conditions of payment: The letter of credit specifies the conditions under which payment will be made, such as the payment deadline and the documents required.
• Documents required: The buyer is required to provide certain documents, such as invoices and bills of lading, to the bank in order to claim payment.
• Creditworthiness: The bank assesses the buyer’s creditworthiness before issuing the letter of credit.
• Fees: Banks typically charge fees for issuing and administering letters of credit.

Types of Letters of Credit:

• Sight draft: Payment is required upon presentation of the documents.
• Documents draft: Payment is required within a specified time frame after presentation of the documents.
• Time draft: Payment is required at a specific time in the future.

Uses:

• International trade: Letters of credit are commonly used in international trade to facilitate payment between buyers and sellers.
• Government contracts: Letters of credit are sometimes used in government contracts to guarantee payment.
• Export financing: Letters of credit can be used as part of export financing arrangements.

Advantages:

• Protection for sellers: Letters of credit provide protection for sellers against non-payment.
• Convenience for buyers: Letters of credit allow buyers to make payments without having to provide collateral.
• Control over payment: Banks can control the payment process and ensure that payments are made on time.

Disadvantages:

• Cost: Letters of credit can be expensive to obtain.
• Time delays: Processing time for letters of credit can be longer than traditional payment methods.
• is transferred to the buyer.