Javascript is required

Documentary Collection

Peace of mind when doing business internationally

  • Keep control of your goods (sea freight)
  • Usually only pay after goods ship
  • The bank is intermediary

The bank is your trusted party for document delivery and payment, but they do not guarantee payment. You or your customer does not receive the documents until the payment terms are met. That's how you keep control of your goods.

Request to issue a Documentary Export Collection

Please note: ABN AMRO is not obliged to process your request.

When requesting a Documentary Collection for the first time please call Trade Finance Operations first on +31 (0)10 - 402 47 65 (local rates apply).

I don't have access to Internet Banking Business

I have access to Internet Banking Business

Documentary Collection features

What is a Documentary Collection?

A Documentary Collection means that the bank acts as an intermediary. The exporter provides all the trade documents, and the importer receives the documents once they have paid the collection amount or accepted a bill of exchange. Once they have the documents, the importer can usually take receipt of the goods.

So a Documentary Collection is a kind of documentary payment transaction.

Please note

A Documentary Collection is a means of payment, not a guarantee for payment by the importer. The exporter bears the risk of the importer failing to pay. The banks involved do not assume a payment obligation. They will only assume a payment obligation when an ‘aval’ is provided. This is when the collecting bank guarantees a bill of exchange on the maturity date. Take a look at the information answering the frequently asked question ‘What are the different types of Documentary Collection?’.

Parties involved

  • Drawer: the exporter and party applying for the Documentary Collection.
  • Drawee: the importer receiving the Documentary Collection.
  • Remitting bank: the bank to which the exporter submits the collection order. This bank subsequently sends the trade documents with instructions to the collecting bank. 
  • Collecting bank: the bank settling the Documentary Collection with the importer as per the remitting bank’s instructions.

Here’s how it works

  1. Let’s say that one of the terms of a sales contract or trade contract is that payment is to be made through a Documentary Collection transaction. The parties have also agreed which documents the exporter has to submit to the importer.
  2. The exporter sends all the documents, along with collection instructions, to their bank, which then forwards these documents to the importer’s bank.
  3. The importer receives the documents after payment or after accepting the bill of exchange in line with the collection terms.

Good to know

  • The use of a Documentary Collection is governed by international regulations published by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC). These rules are laid down in the Uniform Rules for Collections (URC 522), a copy of which can be ordered from ICC.
  • There are different types of Documentary Collection. See the frequently asked questions at the bottom of the page for the full list.
  • A Documentary Collection is not a guarantee of payment. The importer is under no obligation to pay or accept the documents. The exporter bears the risk of the importer not being able or willing to pay while the goods have already shipped.
  • With a Documentary Collection, there is a chance of documents going missing in the post (‘lost in transit risk’). ABN AMRO cannot be held liable for this risk, unless ABN AMRO made a manifest error when sending the documents.
  • When sending trade documents to ABN AMRO, please give clear delivery instructions to your postal carrier. Make sure your documents are physically handed in at the relevant ABN AMRO branch and not at a service point, if the ABN AMRO branch is closed for example. ABN AMRO will not collect the documents from a service point and does not accept any responsibility or liability for documents dropped off at a service point.
  • A bill of exchange or trade bill is an unconditional, written payment order, possibly for payment in a foreign currency, and payable on a future date or immediately. It can also be part of a Documentary Collection. Read the frequently asked questions on this page to find out more about bills of exchange and how they work.

Fees

We charge a collection commission and postage for a Documentary Collection. We also charge fees for additional services.

Take a look at the list of fees .

Choice guide

If you’re not sure whether a Documentary Collection is right for you, answer the questions in our International Trade Guide (in Dutch) and find out which solution covers your trade risks best.

Or get in touch with our Trade Finance Operations by calling +31 (0)10 402 54 44 (local rates apply). We’ll be happy to help.

For more information, call our Trade Finance Operations +31 (0)10 402 54 44

Video: How does a Documentary Collection work?

Watch the video with a brief explanation of how a Documentary Collection works.

FAQ