LC Cost Calculator
Calculates total bank charges on a Letter of Credit transaction and the exporter's net realisation after all fees. Uses banking industry-standard charge structures.
| Line item | Basis | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Issuance Commission | 1% p.a. × 90d (ACT/360) | $1,250.00 |
| Negotiation Fee | 0.15% | $750.00 |
| Advising Fee | Flat | $100.00 |
| SWIFT + Courier | Flat | $75.00 |
| Total | $2,175.00 |
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Overview & methodology
What this tool calculates
A Letter of Credit transaction stacks multiple bank fees on both sides of the trade. This calculator adds up issuance commission, confirmation charges, negotiation and advising fees, SWIFT and courier, amendment fees, discrepancy fees, and - for usance LCs - the discounting interest.
Day-count conventions
Annual-rate charges are pro-rated on the money-market convention for the LC currency: ACT/360 for USD, EUR and AED; ACT/365 for GBP and INR. Switching currency in this tool automatically switches the basis.
ICC references
UCP 600 Article 8 (confirming bank undertaking), Article 14 (standard for examination), Article 16 (discrepant documents and notice), Article 28 (insurance documents), Article 30 (tolerances in credit amount, quantity and unit prices - Art. 30(b) permits a ±5% tolerance on quantity only when the credit does not stipulate quantity in packing units or individual items and the total drawing does not exceed the credit amount).
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate letter of credit charges?
Sum the issuance fee (typically 0.125–0.25% per quarter of the credit amount), confirmation fee (0.15–0.4% per quarter if confirmed), advising, negotiation (0.1–0.2%), courier, reimbursement and discrepancy fees. Charges are pro-rated on the actual tenor using ACT/360 (USD/EUR/JPY) or ACT/365 (GBP/INR).
How much does a confirmed LC cost?
For a USD 500,000 confirmed sight LC with a 90-day tenor, expect USD 2,000–5,000 total: USD 625–1,250 issuance, USD 375–1,000 confirmation, USD 500–1,000 negotiation, plus courier and reimbursement (USD 250–500) and any discrepancy fees (USD 75–150 per set).
Who pays the LC charges?
Field 71B of the SWIFT MT700 assigns charges. Common structures: 'All charges outside issuing bank for beneficiary account' (exporter pays confirming/negotiating charges), 'All charges for applicant' (importer pays everything), or split. Always confirm 71B matches your commercial agreement.