信用證支付條款的訂法因進出口合同種類的不同而各異,又因信用證種類的各異而不同。僅選擇幾例來示范出口合同中信用證支付條款的具體訂法。
1. 即期信用證支付條款:“買方應于裝運月份前XX天通過賣方可接受的銀行開立并送達賣方不可撤銷的即期信用證,有效期至裝運月份后15天在中國議付。”(The Buyers shall open through a bank acceptable to the Sellers an Irrevocable Sight Letter of Credit to reach the Sellers XX days before the month of shipment, valid for negotiation in China until the 15th day after the month of shipment.)
2. 遠期信用證支付條款:“買方應于XX年X月X日前(或接到賣方通知后X天內或簽約后X天內)通過XX銀行開立以賣方為受益人的不可撤銷(可轉讓)的見票后XX天(或裝船日后XX天)付款的銀行承兌信用證,信用證議付有效期延至上述裝運期后15天在中國到期。”(The Buyers shall arrange with X X Bank for opening an Irrevocable (Transferable)banker's acceptance Letter of Credit in favour of the Sellers before……(or within…days after receipt of Seller's advice; or within…days after signing of this contract), The said Letter of Credit shall be available by draft (s) at sight (or after date of shipment) and remain valid for negotiation in China until the 15th after the aforesaid time of shipment.)
3. 假遠期信用證支付條款:“本信用證項下的遠期匯票由付款人承兌和貼現,所有費用由買方負擔,遠期匯票可即期收款。”Drawee will accept and discount usance drafts drawn under this Credit. All charges are for buyer's account, usance draft payable at sight basis.
4. 循環信用證支付條款:“買方應于第一批裝運月份前通過賣方可接受的銀行開立并送達賣方不可撤銷即期循環信用證,該證在19XX年期間,每月自動可供XX(金額〕,并保持有效至19XX年1月15日在北京議付。”The Buyers shall open through a bank acceptable to the Sellers an Irrevocable Revolving Letter of Credit at sight to reach the Sellers X X days before the month of first shipment. The Credit Shall be automatically available during the period of 19XX for XX (value) per month, and remain valid for negotiation in Beijing until Jan.15, 19XX
這是從信用證項下是否隨附貨運單據劃分的。
(1)跟單信用證(Documentary Credit)是憑跟單匯票或僅憑單據付款的信用證。此處的單據指代表貨物所有權的單據(如海運提單等),或證明貨物已交運的單據(如鐵路運單、航空運單、郵包收據)。
(2)光票信用證(Clean Credit)是憑不隨附貨運單據的光票(Clean Draft)付款的信用證。銀行憑光票信用證付款,也可要求受益人附交一此非貨運單據,如發票、墊款清單等。
在國際貿易的貨款結算中,絕大部分使用跟單信用證。