Question

Difficulty: MediumMeans of Payment in Foreign Trade

Match each foreign trade payment instrument in Column A with its correct functional description in Column B.

  • Letter of CreditA guarantee issued by an importer's bank ensuring payment to the exporter upon presentation of specified shipping documents.
  • Bill of ExchangeAn unconditional written order drawn by an exporter instructing an importer to pay a specified sum of money on demand or at a fixed future date.
  • Telegraphic TransferAn electronic instruction sent by a bank to its foreign correspondent to transfer funds directly to an exporter's account.
  • Bank DraftA cheque drawn by a bank on its own funds held at a correspondent bank in another country to settle an international transaction.

Answer

Letter of Credit matches with bank guarantee on presentation of shipping documents; Bill of Exchange matches with unconditional written order drawn by the exporter; Telegraphic Transfer matches with electronic bank transfer to foreign correspondent; Bank Draft matches with cheque drawn by a bank on its foreign correspondent.
Each payment instrument matches its defining characteristic: the Letter of Credit represents a bank guarantee contingent on valid shipping documents, the Bill of Exchange is an exporter-drawn unconditional order to pay, the Telegraphic Transfer is a rapid electronic remittance via banking networks, and the Bank Draft is a bank-issued cheque drawn on a foreign correspondent.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the primary guarantor and mechanism for Letter of Credit.
The importer's bank guarantees payment to the exporter upon receipt of shipping documents.
Letters of Credit eliminate buyer credit risk by substituting the bank's credit for the importer's.
2
Distinguish the drawer and drawee of a Bill of Exchange in foreign trade.
The exporter (drawer) orders the importer (drawee) to pay a specific amount.
Bills of exchange act as credit and collection instruments drawn directly by the seller.
3
Analyze the method of transmission for Telegraphic Transfer.
Funds are remitted electronically via wire/cable directly between financial institutions.
Telegraphic transfers are rapid electronic payment means used in international commerce.
4
Examine the nature of a Bank Draft.
It is a banker's cheque payable by a correspondent bank abroad.
Because it is drawn by a bank rather than an individual trader, it carries high financial security.

Key Concept

Classification and features of means of payment in international trade.
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