An experienced exporting firm extends credit cautiously. It evaluates new customers with care and continuously monitors older accounts. Such a firm may wisely decide to decline a customer's request for open account credit if the risk is too great and propose instead payment on delivery terms through a documentary sight draft or irrevocable confirmed letter of credit or even payment in advance. On the other hand, for a fully creditworthy customer, the experienced exporter may decide to allow a month or two to pay, perhaps even on open account.
Other good credit practices include being aware of any unfavorable changes in your customers' payment patterns, refraining from going beyond normal commercial terms, and consulting with your international banker n how to cope with unusual circumstances or in difficult markets. It is always advisable to check a buyer's credit (even if safest payment methods are employed). A Department of Commerce International Company Profile (ICP) (see Making Contacts) provides useful information for credit checks. For a fee, an ICP may be requested on foreign companies in many countries. It contains financial information on the company and a discussion regarding its size, capitalization, years in business, and other information such as citing some U.S. companies that conduct business with the firm. The exporter can then contact the U.S. companies to find out about their payment experience with the foreign firm.
ICPs are not available in every country, and in these instances, EACs can provide a list of private credit reporting services. There are several U.S. companies that compile financial information on foreign firms (particularly larger firms) and make it available to their subscribers. Also, banks are sometimes able to provide credit reports on foreign companies, either through their own foreign branches or through a correspondent bank.
As being paid in full and on time is of the utmost concern to exporters, the level of risk in extending credit is a major consideration. There are several ways in which you can receive payment when selling your products abroad, depending on how trustworthy you consider the buyer to be. Typically with domestic sales, if the buyer has good credit, sales are made on open account; if not, cash in advance is required. For export sales, these ways are not the only common methods. Listed in order from most secure for the exporter to the least secure, the basic methods of payment are:
- Cash in advance;
- Documentary letter of credit;
- Documentary collection or draft;
- Open account; and
- Other payment mechanisms, such as consignment sales.
Foreign Currency
A buyer and a seller who are in different countries rarely use the same currency.
Payment is usually made in either the buyer's or the seller's currency or in a
third mutually agreed-upon currency.
One of the risks associated with foreign trade is the uncertainty of the future exchange rates. The relative value between the two currencies could change between the time the deal is concluded and the time payment is received. If the exporter is not properly protected, a devaluation or depreciation of the foreign currency could cause the exporter to lose money. For example, if the buyer has agreed to pay 500,000 French francs for a shipment and the franc is valued at 20 cents, the seller would expect to receive US$100,000. If the franc later decreased in value to be worth 19 US cents, payment under the new rate would be only US$95,000, a loss of US$5,000 for the seller. On the other hand, if the foreign currency increases in value the exporter would get a windfall in extra profits. Nonetheless, most exporters are not interested in speculating on foreign exchange fluctuations and prefer to avoid risks.
One of the simplest ways for a U.S. exporter to avoid this type of risk is to quote prices and require payment in U.S. dollars. Then the burden of exchanging currencies and risk are placed on the buyer. Exporters should also be aware if there are problems with currency convertibility. Not all currencies are freely or quickly converted into U.S. dollars. Fortunately, the U.S. dollar is widely accepted as an international trading currency, and American firms can often secure payment in dollars.
If the buyer asks to make payment in a foreign currency, the exporter should consult an international banker before negotiating the sales contract. Banks can offer advice on the foreign exchange risks that exist with a particular currency. Some international banks can also help hedge against such a risk, by agreeing to purchase the foreign currency at a fixed price in dollars, regardless of the currencies value at the time the customer pays. Banks will normally charge a fee or discount the transaction for this service. If this mechanism is used, the bank's fee should be included in the price quotation.
Payment Problems
In international trade, problems involving bad debts are more easily avoided than
rectified after they occur. Credit checks and the other methods can limit the risks.
Nonetheless, just as in a company's domestic
business, exporters occasionally encounter problems with buyers who default on their
payment. When these problems occur in international trade, obtaining payment can be
both difficult and expensive. Even when the exporter has insurance to cover commercial
credit risks, a default by a buyer still requires the time, effort, and cost of the
exporter to collect a payment. The exporter must exercise normal business prudence in
exporting and exhaust all reasonable means of obtaining payment before an insurance
claim is honored. Even then there is often a significant delay before the insurance
payment is made.
The simplest (and least costly) solution to a payment problem is to contact and negotiate with the customer. With patience, understanding, and flexibility, an exporter can often resolve conflicts to the satisfaction of both sides.
This point is especially true when a simple misunderstanding or technical problem is to blame and there is no question of bad faith. Even though the exporter may be required to compromise on certain points - perhaps even on the price of the committed goods - the company may save a valuable customer and profit in the long run.
However, if negotiations fail and the sum involved is large enough to warrant the effort, a company should obtain the assistance and advice of its bank, legal counsel, and other qualified experts. Since arbitration is often faster and less costly, this step is preferable to legal action if both parties can agree to take their dispute to an arbitration agency. The International Chamber of Commerce handles the majority of international arbitration and is usually acceptable to foreign companies because it is not affiliated with any single country. For information contact the vice president for arbitration, U.S. Council of the International Chamber of Commerce, telephone 212-354-4480.
More about Exporting:
Introduction
Developing an Export Plan
Developing a Market Plan
Export Advice
Methods/Channels
Making Contacts
Technology Licensing /Joint Ventures
Preparing Your Product for Export
Service Exports
International Legal Considerations
Shipping Your Product
Pricing, Quotations, and Terms
Methods of Payment
Financing Export Transactions
Selling Overseas
After-sales Service
