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Seven-Factors-for-Determing-the-Right-Method-of-PaymentImporters and exporters often ask, “What is the best method of payment for international shipments?”
Many bankers answer, “Letters of credit.” This is a self-serving answer. Of all the methods, letters of credit generate the most fee income for a bank.
The correct answer is: “The one that allows the transaction to be completed to the satisfaction of both parties—the buyer and the seller.” If both parties can’t agree on a perfect method of payment, they must agree upon one with which they both can live.
What choices, then, does one have? The four basic payments are cash in advance, letters of credit (L/C), collections, and open account (O/A). The exporter’s risk it minimal with cash in advance while the risk to the importer is maximum. At the other end of the spectrum, the exporter’s risk is high with open account while the importer’s is low.
An exporter should ask seven questions before agreeing to a specific payment term: (1) Is the relationship with the buyer new or established? (2) Is the order custom-made or standard? (3) Is the political situation stable or unstable? (4) Is the economic situation stable or unstable? (5) Are competitors offering terms? (6) Is there a risk of price changes? (7) Is there a need to control cash flow?
The decision tool below will assist in matching these questions with the correct payment term:
CASH L/C COLLECTION O/A
1. Customer Relationship New New Established Established
2. Nature of Order Custom Custom Normal Normal
3. Political Situation Unstable Unstable Stable Stable
4. Economic Situation Unstable Unstable Stable Stable
5. Competitors offer terms No No Yes Yes
6. Risk of price changes Yes Yes No No
7. Need to control cash flow Yes Yes No No
By answering these questions, the exporter will be better qualified to select the right payment option for each transaction. However, not all seven questions carry equal weight. For example, extended payment terms (see #5 above) may carry more weight.
One exporter stated that his sale terms remained confirmed letters of credit. Period. It didn’t matter if major British, German or Japanese banks issued the letters of credit, his needed confirmation. The company set a very restrictive policy for international payments. Proactive exporters will probably use all four methods of payment depending on the circumstances of their international business.
| Product Model | Inside Diameter | Outside Diameter | Thickness |
| LBCD50A bearing | 50 | 75 | 100 |
| LPAR40 bearing | 40 | 62 | 80 |