What is the fee for a letter of credit guarantee?

Asked by: Kip Reynolds MD  |  Last update: October 14, 2025
Score: 4.1/5 (59 votes)

Banks usually charge a fee for a letter of credit, which can be a percentage of the total credit they are backing. The cost of a letter of credit will vary by bank and the size of the letter of credit. For example, the bank may charge 0.75% of the amount that it's guaranteeing.

How much is the LC guarantee fee?

This is in order to mitigate the bank's own risk in guaranteeing payment. A buyer will typically pay anywhere between 0.75% and 1.5% of the transaction's value, depending on the locations of the issuing banks.

Who pays for the cost of LC for?

It is often assumed, incorrectly, that all the costs associated with an LC will be borne by the buyer. On the contrary, the seller is charged by the beneficiary's bank for services such as general administration and advisory, revisions to the LC and the transfer of funds.

How much do banks charge for a letter of credit?

Up to 0.10% per Lac with minimum INR 1000/- plus applicable taxes and maximum of INR 10,000/- plus applicable taxes per Solvency certificate.

How much does a bank guarantee letter cost?

To obtain a bank guarantee you apply to your bank, and they will move your funds to a designated current account and then issue the guarantee, this takes approximately two weeks. Banks charge a fee for this service, usually around 1% of the total amount, or a minimum fee.

Difference Between Bank Guarantee & Letter of Credit | Explained by Sushmita Tripathi

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Who pays charges for LC?

Buyers typically bear the costs of obtaining a letter of credit. Letters of credit may not cover every detail of the transaction, potentially leaving room for error. Establishing a letter of credit may be tedious or time-consuming for all parties involved.

What is an LC fee?

The cost of an LC typically includes a percentage of the transaction value. This fee can range from 0.5% to 1.5% or more, depending on the issuing bank and the complexity of the transaction. For large transactions, even a small percentage can represent a significant cost.

What happens if LC is not paid?

In the event that the buyer Bank is unable to make payment on the purchase, the seller is able to make a demand for payment on the Bank. The Bank will examine the beneficiary's demand and if it complies with the terms of the letter of credit, is required to honour the demand.

What is the difference between a bank guarantee and a letter of credit?

Nature of guarantee: A bank guarantee provides a safety net for losses, whereas a letter of credit assures payment upon fulfilling specific conditions. Usage: Bank guarantees are often used in contracts as a performance safety, whereas letters of credit are primarily used in trade finance to ensure payment for goods.

How payment is made in an LC?

An LC is a commitment by a bank on behalf of the buyer that payment will be made to the exporter, provided that the terms and conditions stated in the LC have been met, as verified through the presentation of all required documents. The buyer establishes credit and pays his or her bank to render this service.

Are letter of credit fees annual?

First, a Letter of Credit costs more than you think: For a typical commercial lease, a bank charges about 2% annually for a letter of credit, but the actual costs to the tenant are much higher.

How does a letter of guarantee work?

A letter of guarantee is an agreement by a bank (the guarantor) to pay a set amount of money to some person (the beneficiary) if a bank customer (the principal) defaults on a payment or an obligation to the beneficiary.

What is a reasonable guarantee fee?

Commentators in the financial services industry have also made suggestions about an appropriate value for the guarantee fee. One is that a reasonable guarantee fee is between 1 – 2% of the outstanding loan balance. Another is between 1 – 1.5%. The fee could be adjusted for the risk that the corporation is assuming.

What is an alternative to a letter of credit?

Aside from trade credit insurance, there are other alternatives to a letter of credit. Those include: Purchase order financing: Purchase order financing provides you cash up front to complete a purchase order. Under this agreement, a financing company pays your supplier for goods you need to fulfill a purchase order.

What are the disadvantages of LC?

A letter of credit is a useful financial tool for managing payment risks in international trade. While it offers benefits like improved cash flow and reduced credit risks, it also has drawbacks such as high costs and potential fraud risks.

Can a bank refuse to pay a letter of credit?

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What is LC commitment fee?

LC Commitment Fee means an amount equal to the product of 1.0% per annum and the average unused LC Commitment (regardless of whether any conditions for issuance, extension or increase of the Stated Amount of a Letter of Credit could then be met and determined as of the close of business on any date of determination), ...

Who bears the LC charges?

Generally, there is an arrangement to divide the fee between the buyer and seller under letters of credit is for the buyer to pay most of the costs incurred in setting-up the LC. The costs in the seller's country are usually the responsibility of the seller.

What is the LC reimbursement fee?

LC Reimbursement Fee means a fee payable to the Administrative Agent, for the pro rata benefit of the Banks, as provided in Section 3.5. LC Reimbursement Fee means a fee payable to the Administrative Agent, for the pro rata benefit of the Banks, as provided in S ection 3.5.

Who pays LC confirmation charges?

Generally, the buyer and the seller must pay the bank charges in the respective countries, including the LC confirmation charges. The Letter of Credit has to mention the expenses that are on account of the applicant and which are on account of the beneficiary.

How do banks make money from a letter of credit?

It can be issued against a pledge of securities or cash. Banks typically collect a fee i.e., a percentage of the size/amount of the Letter of Credit.

What is the LC limit?

Eligible limit is minimum Rs. 10 Crores. Period for Inland LC is upto 180 days for Import LC is upto 360 days.

Is LC safe for seller?

1. Provides assurance to the seller. An LC guarantees that a seller will be paid under specific conditions, even if a foreign buyer cancels an order or goes bankrupt.