What we prepare
For companies trading goods across borders. Scope and fee are agreed in writing before work starts. No success fees tied to financing amounts.
Terms check
Which payment method fits a new buyer or supplier, and what each one costs you.
LC application
A draft application for your bank, with dates, documents and conditions you can actually meet.
Document checklist
Invoice, transport documents, certificates of origin and others, matched to the credit's wording.
Guarantee request
Advance payment and performance guarantees requested by a foreign counterparty.
Pre-shipment finance
A working-capital request tied to a signed export contract and its delivery schedule.
Offer comparison
Banks' fees, collateral and timelines side by side, with questions to ask.
How a letter of credit moves
With a letter of credit, the buyer's bank promises to pay once the seller presents documents that match the credit exactly. The bank looks at documents, not at the goods.
- Buyer asks its bank to open a letter of credit.
- The buyer's bank issues it to the seller's bank.
- The seller's bank passes it on, and may add its confirmation.
- Seller ships the goods to the buyer.
- Seller presents shipping and other documents to its bank.
- Banks check the documents and pay if they match.
- Buyer pays its bank and receives the documents to collect the goods.
Most letters of credit follow the International Chamber of Commerce rules (UCP 600). A small mismatch in documents can delay payment, which is why the checklist matters.
Payment terms comparator
For a seller weighing terms with a buyer abroad. Enter the deal and your bank's indicative fees. The table shows what each method costs you and who carries the risk.
| Method | Cost to you | Relative cost | Your risk | Buyer's risk |
|---|
Cost is fees plus the cost of waiting for your money. Prepayment assumes no wait and no fees. Collection assumes about 0.2% in bank charges. Educational sketch only, not financial or legal advice. Figures stay in your browser.
Limits and free help
We do not
- Lend, issue or confirm letters of credit or guarantees, or insure shipments.
- Hold, transfer or collect payments for you or your buyers.
- Act as a customs broker, freight forwarder or sales agent.
- Give legal, tax or currency-control advice. Ask a lawyer or tax adviser.
Free help
- Your bank's trade finance desk: ask about its letter of credit and guarantee terms before you agree terms with a buyer.
- QazTrade, the trade policy development centre, for export support programmes.
- KazakhExport, the export credit agency, for export insurance and support products.
- Business support centres of the National Chamber of Entrepreneurs "Atameken", for free consultations.
Fraud warning. Watch for "guaranteed" letters of credit or bank guarantees sold for an upfront fee, and for sudden changes to a supplier's bank details. Always confirm with the bank directly. If someone uses our name, do not pay. Report it to the police and let us know by email.
Contact
Tell us the goods, the counterparty's country and the terms on the table. We reply with scope and a fee.