Importers

ANZ can help importers with the following concerns in relation to Documentary Credits.

Applying for a Documentary Credit

ANZ customers who have a Documentary Credit facility in place can apply for Documentary Credits either electronically or using traditional methods.

Automated electronic delivery

  • Available through online@anz Trade Services*
  • Importers can easily establish and amend Documentary Credits electronically
  • Submit to ANZ for processing and transmission to an ANZ Group overseas branch or overseas bank, for delivery to the exporter.

Documentary Credit application service

  • Many importers find the process of filling out an import Documentary Credit application time consuming and complicated. That's where the ANZ Documentary Credit application service may help.
  • ANZ will take a copy of your 'pro-forma invoice' or 'sales contract', and assign a dedicated Trade Relationship Officer to help prepare your Documentary Credit.
  • ANZ transmits the Documentary Credit to an ANZ Group overseas branch or overseas bank for delivery to the exporter.

More details and a copy of the service terms and conditions are available in the flyer below:

Manual delivery

The importer completes the application and or amendment form and lodges it with ANZ for processing.

ANZ transmits the Documentary Credit to an ANZ Group overseas branch or overseas bank for delivery to the exporter.


ANZ credit criteria apply, and an establishment fee may be payable. Other fees, charges, terms and conditions apply.

* online@anz Trade Services is only available to registered ANZ customers.

Standby Documentary Credits

A seller or a service provider can sometimes request a Standby Documentary Credit as a back up for another pre-arranged transaction.

The Standby Documentary Credit differs from the traditional Documentary Credit in that it can only be activated in case of non-performance or default of the underlying transaction.

A Standby Documentary Credit can be used for both trade and non-trade transactions, or, as a counter-guarantee to a bank or seller for a pre-arranged financial arrangement such as a loan repayment.

Product information and benefits

  • Provides comfort to the credit beneficiary that the applicant is reliable, a sound business and has the ability to complete the underlying transaction
  • Secures payment for the beneficiary - to the amount of the Standby Document Credit - in the event the applicant fails to perform a pre-defined transaction(s).

ANZ credit criteria apply, and an establishment fee may be payable. Other fees, charges, terms and conditions apply.

Revolving Documentary Credits

True Revolving Documentary Credits, which provide for reinstatement of drawing up negotiation, are seldom encountered.

However the following Documentary Credits which contain clauses of a revolving nature, are often referred to as revolving Documentary Credits:

  • Documentary Credits for an expressed amount available for current at any one time (CAAOT credits). These instruments would normally contain a clause indicating that the amount of each drawing will be reinstated to the Documentary Credit amount upon payments by the issuing bank.
  • Documentary Credits for expressed total amount, but which contain a proviso limiting the amounts(s) and frequency of drawings. Such Documentary Credits will also stipulate whether such drawings are cumulative or non-cumulative.


ANZ credit criteria apply, and an establishment fee may be payable. Other fees, charges, terms and conditions apply.

How to apply

For more information or to apply for an ANZ Documentary Credit, contact an ANZ Trade Specialist:

Telephone icon  Call 0800 ANZ TRD (0800 269 873)

Visit branch icon  Visit your nearest ANZ branch


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