LC date calculator
Enter your letter of credit dates and see the last day to present documents, whether your shipment is on time, how long the bank has to check, and the tolerance allowed on amount and quantity. Based on UCP 600.
Public holidays are not included. Check bank holidays at the place of presentation, and confirm the dates with your bank. The LC terms always take priority over these general rules.
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The UCP 600 date rules in brief
| Rule | What it means |
|---|---|
| Presentation period | Present documents no later than 21 calendar days after shipment, unless the LC states another period, and never after expiry. |
| Bank holidays | If the expiry date or last day for presentation falls on a day the bank is closed, it moves to the next banking day. The latest shipment date does not move. |
| Examination time | Each bank has up to five banking days after the day of presentation to check the documents. |
| "On or about" | A shipment "on or about" a date can happen from five days before to five days after it, both days included. |
| "To", "until", "from" | Used for shipment periods, these words include the date mentioned. "Before" and "after" exclude it. |
| Parts of a month | "First half" is the 1st to the 15th, "second half" the 16th to the last day. "Beginning" is the 1st to 10th, "middle" the 11th to 20th, "end" the 21st to the last day. |
Late presentation is one of the most common LC discrepancies. Leave time for courier delays and for your bank to review the documents before sending them on. Read our letter of credit documentation guide and our comparison of export payment terms.
Frequently asked questions
How many days do I have to present documents under a letter of credit?
Under UCP 600, documents that include an original transport document must be presented no later than 21 calendar days after the date of shipment, and in any case no later than the expiry date of the credit. If the LC states a different presentation period, that period applies.
What happens if the last day for presentation falls on a bank holiday?
If the expiry date or the last day for presentation falls on a day when the bank is closed, for reasons other than force majeure, it is extended to the first following banking day. The latest date for shipment is not extended.
How long does the bank take to check LC documents?
Under UCP 600, each bank has a maximum of five banking days following the day of presentation to decide whether the documents comply.
What tolerance is allowed on quantity and amount?
Words such as "about" or "approximately" allow a tolerance of 10% more or less on the amount, quantity or unit price they refer to. Without those words, a tolerance of 5% more or less is allowed on quantity, as long as the LC does not state the quantity in packing units or individual items and the total drawn does not exceed the LC amount.
Which date is the shipment date?
For sea shipments it is normally the date of issuance of the bill of lading, or the on-board notation date if the bill of lading has one. Your bank can confirm which date applies to your documents.
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