Letter of Credit Issuance & Application | DBS HK Corporate Banking

Letter of Credit Issuance

Guarantee payment to your suppliers

Guarantee payment to your suppliers

At a glance

A Letter of Credit (LC) is issued at your request to assure payment to your supplier up to a stated amount, within a prescribed time.

Build stronger relationships and support new business opportunities

Ensure the necessary documents are received for goods clearance

Documents are checked for compliance and terms before you make payment

Features & benefits

Our experts can offer you advice and expertise

Provide your sellers with assurances of payment through our Letters of Credit

Apply for a Letter of Credit online via DBS IDEAL

Types of Letter of Credit

	Sight Letter of Credit
	Issuing bank will honour payment at “sight”, meaning payment is made once documentation received is in order.

	Usance Letter of Credit
	Issuing bank will accept the draft once all documentation received is in order and agree to pay on the due date.

	Red Clause Letter of Credit
	Allows the issuing bank to make a partial advance payment to the seller upon receipt of documentation.

	Transferable Letter of Credit
	DBS transfers the Export LC in favour of the ultimate seller at the request of the middleman who will then sell goods under the Export LC.

	Back-to-Back Letter of Credit
	The master Export LC from the buyer’s bank backs the issuance of an Import LC. Proceeds from the Export LC are used to pay the bank under the Import LC.

How it works

The buyer and seller enter into a contract and agree that payment be made on the basis of Letter of Credit
Buyer approaches DBS (issuing bank) to issue Letter of Credit in favour of the seller
DBS issues Letter of Credit which is advised through its branch or correspondent bank (advising bank) in the seller’s country/region
Advising bank advises Letter of Credit to the seller
Upon receipt of the Letter of Credit, the seller prepares shipment and delivers documents to presenting bank
Presenting bank despatches documents to DBS for payment
DBS pays the presenting bank upon verifying the documents are in order.
Upon receipt of payment, presenting bank pays the seller
Buyer pays the document amount to DBS
DBS forwards the documents to the buyer, who can now use them to obtain the goods

How to apply

Apply via DBS IDEAL or get in touch with us.

FAQs

	Can you issue a Letter of Credit to my seller, without a DBS facility?
	No, you must obtain a credit facility with DBS before we can issue a Letter of Credit to your sellers. Please call us at 2290 8068 should you require assistance.

	How do I complete the LC application form?
	You may call us at 2290 8068 for assistance.

	Can DBS issue an LC if the seller doesn’t provide the advising bank’s details?
	Yes, when there is no DBS branch or office in the seller’s country/region, we issue the LC and advise through a network branch/agent bank.