UCP600 Article 24 outlines the requirements for road, rail, and inland waterway transport documents under a letter of credit. Let’s break down each clause with explanations and examples for clarity.
Clause a: General Requirements
i. Carrier and Signature Requirements
- Requirement: The document must indicate the name of the carrier and be signed by the carrier or a named agent for or on behalf of the carrier.
- Explanation: The document should show who the carrier is and must include a signature, stamp, or notation from the carrier or their authorized agent.
- Example: A rail transport document showing “Carrier: ABC Railways” and signed by “John Doe, Agent for ABC Railways.”
- If the document is signed by an agent, it must state that the agent is acting for the carrier.
- Example: A transport document signed as “Jane Smith, Agent for XYZ Transport Company.”
- If a rail transport document does not identify the carrier, any signature or stamp from the railway company will be accepted as proof of the carrier’s involvement.
- Example: A rail document with only the stamp “ABC Railways” without explicitly naming the carrier.
ii. Date of Shipment
- Requirement: The document must indicate the date of shipment or receipt of the goods for shipment.
- Explanation: This can be shown as a dated reception stamp, an indicated date of receipt, or the issuance date if no other date is provided.
- Example: A road transport document showing “Goods received on: 2024-07-20” or simply having the issuance date “2024-07-20” if no other date is mentioned.
iii. Place of Shipment and Destination
- Requirement: The document must indicate the place of shipment and the place of destination as stated in the credit.
- Explanation: This ensures that the document aligns with the terms specified in the letter of credit.
- Example: A document stating “Place of Shipment: Mumbai, Place of Destination: New York” if these places are specified in the credit.
Clause b: Specific Document Requirements
i. Road Transport Document
- Requirement: It must appear to be the original for the consignor or shipper or bear no marking indicating for whom the document has been prepared.
- Explanation: This ensures the originality and correctness of the document.
- Example: A road transport document marked “Original for Shipper.”
ii. Rail Transport Document
- Requirement: A rail transport document marked “duplicate” is accepted as an original.
- Explanation: Rail documents labeled as “duplicate” still qualify as originals.
- Example: A rail document marked “Duplicate” used as the original.
iii. Rail or Inland Waterway Document
- Requirement: Accepted as an original whether marked as an original or not.
- Explanation: These documents do not need an “original” marking to be accepted.
- Example: An inland waterway document without any specific original marking still considered valid.
Clause c: Number of Originals
- Requirement: If the number of originals issued is not indicated, the number presented is deemed to constitute a full set.
- Explanation: This assumes completeness unless otherwise specified.
- Example: Presenting three documents when no number of originals is indicated means three is the full set.
Clause d: Definition of Transhipment
- Requirement: Transhipment means unloading and reloading within the same mode of transport.
- Explanation: Clarifies the meaning of transhipment for these documents.
- Example: Goods unloaded from one truck and loaded onto another during the same road transport journey.
Clause e: Transhipment Acceptability
i. Single Transport Document
- Requirement: May indicate goods will or may be transhipped if covered by one document.
- Explanation: Acceptable as long as the entire journey is under one document.
- Example: A road transport document stating “Goods may be transhipped” but covering the entire journey.
ii. Credit Prohibition
- Requirement: Document indicating transhipment is acceptable even if the credit prohibits it.
- Explanation: Overrides any prohibition in the credit.
- Example: An inland waterway document stating “Transhipment will occur” accepted even if the credit says no transhipment.
These explanations and examples provide clarity on each clause of UCP600 Article 24, ensuring understanding of the requirements for road, rail, and inland waterway transport documents.