What Is Documentary Collection?
Let me explain documentary collection to you directly: it's a trade finance method where you, as an exporter, get paid for your goods by the importer only after both parties' banks handle the exchange of required documents. Your bank collects the funds from the importer's bank in return for documents that release title to the shipped merchandise, and this usually happens once the goods reach the importer's location.
Key Takeaways
Here's what you need to know upfront: documentary collection is essentially your bank as the exporter forwarding documents to the importer's bank to collect payment for the shipped goods. It's not as common as advance cash payments or open account terms, especially in places where contract enforcement is weak. With documents against payment, the importer pays the draft amount right at sight, while documents against acceptance means payment by a set date.
Understanding Documentary Collection
You see, documentary collection gets its name because you, the exporter, receive payment from the importer in exchange for those crucial shipping documents. These documents are what the buyer needs to clear the goods through customs and actually take delivery—they include things like a commercial invoice, certificate of origin, insurance certificate, and packing list.
A central piece here is the bill of exchange or draft, which is your formal demand for payment from the exporter to the importer.
This method isn't as popular as letters of credit or advance payments. It's cheaper than some options but carries more risk, so I recommend limiting it to deals with trusted partners or in countries with solid legal systems and strong contract enforcement.
Important Note on Risks
Pay attention to this: a sight draft lowers your risk as the exporter because the buyer's bank won't hand over the documents without payment from the buyer. However, neither bank's taking on any financial responsibility in this setup.
Two Types of Documentary Collection
Documentary collections break down into two main types based on when you get paid as the exporter.
First, documents against payment mean the importer has to pay the full draft amount right when presented with it—before any shipping documents are released. This is the go-to option because it cuts down risk for you as the seller.
Second, documents against acceptance let the importer pay on a specific future date. Once they accept the time draft, the bank releases the documents to them.
Steps in Export and Documentary Collection
- The sale kicks off when you and the buyer agree on payment amount, shipping details, and that it'll be a documentary collection; then you deliver the goods to the export point, often via a freight forwarder.
- You prepare the documents and send them to your bank, the remitting bank, which forwards them to the importer's collecting bank.
- The importer's bank gets the documents and notifies the buyer; then it requests payment from the buyer to release the documents.
- Once paid or the time draft accepted, the bank gives the documents to the buyer, who uses them to pick up the merchandise.
Other Considerations: The Risks of Documentary Collections
As an exporter, your risk jumps with a time draft compared to a sight draft, since the buyer's bank releases documents upon acceptance—meaning the buyer might already have the goods when payment's due.
With a sight draft, your risk as the seller is more contained because the bank holds documents until payment. In the worst case, you'd just need to find a new buyer or cover return shipping costs.
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