Conditions de paiement : LC, SBLC, TT, documents contre paiement et compte ouvert

The core problem

A seller does not want to ship goods and then wait for payment from a stranger. A buyer does not want to pay in advance and then hope the goods arrive. Payment terms are the agreed compromise. They set when money moves, in exchange for which proof, and through which bank route.

Letter of credit (LC)

In a documentary letter of credit, the buyer's bank, the issuing bank, undertakes to pay the seller if the seller presents documents that comply with the credit exactly. The seller's bank may advise or confirm the credit. The bank deals with documents, not with the goods.

Standby letter of credit (SBLC)

A standby letter of credit is a bank guarantee-like instrument. It is not meant to be drawn in the normal course. The beneficiary claims under it only if the applicant fails to pay or perform. In commodity trade it can back an open-account or credit arrangement. Because it is a real bank instrument with a cost and a purpose, be cautious about offers that treat an SBLC as an asset to be sold, leased or passed along. Verify any instrument directly with the issuing bank.

Telegraphic transfer (TT)

A TT is a plain bank transfer. Timing is what makes the difference:

• Advance payment: the buyer pays before shipment. Highest risk for the buyer.
• Split payment: a deposit, with the balance after inspection or against copies of shipping documents. A very common middle route for first deals.
• Payment after delivery: the seller ships first. Highest risk for the seller.

Documents against payment (D/P)

Under documentary collection, the seller ships the goods and sends the documents through its bank to the buyer's bank. The buyer receives the documents, including the original bill of lading needed to take the cargo, only against payment. A related form, documents against acceptance, releases documents against the buyer's promise to pay at a later date. Banks handle documents but do not guarantee payment, so this route has less protection than a letter of credit.

Open account

The seller ships and the buyer pays later, usually in a set number of days after delivery or invoice. It is common between partners with a long history, or when the seller has credit insurance. For new relationships it is rarely a good starting point.

Comparing them

• Strongest for the seller: advance payment and a confirmed letter of credit.
• Strongest for the buyer: payment after delivery and open account.
• Balanced: letter of credit, or a split transfer tied to inspection and documents.
• Cost and effort: lowest for transfers and open account, higher for letters of credit and collections.

Questions to settle before you agree

Put the answers in the contract, not only in a chat message.

• Which exact documents trigger payment, and who issues each one?
• Which banks are involved, and can they handle this instrument and this country?
• Who pays the bank charges, and who bears confirmation costs?
• What is the deadline for presentation after shipment?
• What happens if a document has a minor discrepancy?

On Tonport

Tonport does not hold funds and does not issue letters of credit. Parties choose and arrange payment between themselves and their own banks. Listings show the payment terms the seller prefers, so you can filter out mismatches early, and the P&L estimator includes bank fees and financing so you can see what a payment structure costs.

Questions fréquentes

What is the safest payment term for a first deal?

There is no universal answer. Many first deals use a documentary letter of credit, or a split transfer tied to independent inspection and shipping documents. Choose the structure that fits the goods, the countries and the banks.

What is the difference between an LC and an SBLC?

A documentary LC is the primary payment method and is paid against shipping documents. An SBLC is a backup guarantee that is drawn only if the other party fails to pay or perform.

Why do banks reject documents?

Because the documents do not match the terms of the credit exactly: a different quantity, date, port, name or description, or a missing document. Check every document against the credit before presenting.

Is open account risky?

It carries credit risk for the seller, who depends on the buyer to pay. It suits partners with a record, or sellers with credit insurance.