Import and Export Transactions' Safety

For importers, one of the primary considerations when deciding on the payment terms is to ensure that the goods supplied are the goods ordered.

The two main instruments to ensure this are:

• Documentary Collections, whereby the importer only makes payment in exchange for documents detailing the goods shipped. Beneficial for both importer and exporter, Documentary Collections offer a cost-effective but secure means of trading internationally. Under D/P (documents against payment) terms, import documents, which usually include title to the goods, are released to you upon payment. Under D/A (documents against acceptance) terms, documents are released to you against your promise to pay.
• Documentary Credits (DCs), where the exporter stipulates the exact documents required to evidence that the goods have been shipped strictly in accordance with their requirements, and the bank pays only if those conditions have been met, or the importer accepts the discrepancies.

DCs issued by HSBC have the backing of one of the world's largest financial services organizations, therefore you can be confident that they will be acceptable both by your vendors and your vendors' banks anywhere in the world.

Key features and benefits:

• Global service, thanks to the network of 10 000 offices in over 80 countries and territories.
• Expert assistance – our highly trained staff are available to provide you with advice on any aspect foreign trade.
• Wide Range of Special DCs available.
• Minimised risk of premature release of goods.
• Maximum convenience for both importer and exporter.