Getting paid when exporting

Known as letters of credit, this is one of the safest ways to get paid by overseas customers. Your customer arranges a letter of credit with their bank, which pays a bank in the UK once you complete the necessary paperwork, the goods have arrived at their destination city, and the documents are accepted without any discrepancies.

If your documentation is accurate, you are guaranteed to be paid on time. Your customer bears the cost of issuing the letter of credit. You will have to pay commission to your bank.

In this system, payment becomes due when your customer accepts ownership of your goods. You instruct your bank to draw up a bill of exchange, which allows you to keep control of your goods. An overseas bank, acting for your bank, will release the documents allowing your customer to take the goods once they accept the terms of the bill.

There is a risk that the bill of exchange will not be accepted, but you retain ownership of the goods - although they'll be in your customer's country. There is still a risk of non-payment unless your bill of exchange has been guaranteed by the bank. You will have to pay commission to your bank and the overseas bank.

This is similar to offering credit to a UK customer. You supply the goods and invoice the customer, stating when you expect to receive payment.

This option has the highest risk of non-payment. You will bear the costs of production and shipping until you are paid. However, there are no other costs except ordinary freight costs and other overheads. You should only use open accounts when you have an established relationship with your customer and are confident they can pay.