1 What is legalization?

Legalization is the official confirmation that the signature, seal or stamp appearing on a document is genuine.

2. What is an Apostille?

An Apostille is a certificate that authenticates the signature, seal or stamp that appears in the document. The Apostille certificate must contain the following information:

• Country of issue
• Name of the person who signed the document
• The capacity in which the person signed the document.
• Details of any seals or stamps in the document
• Place of issue
• Date of issue
• Issuing authority
• Certificate number
• Stamp or seal of the issuing authority
• Signature of the representative of the issuing authority

3. Why do documents need to be legalized?

If you are going to use United States of America’s documents overseas, for business or personal reasons, you may be asked to have your documents legalized before they can be accepted by the foreign authorities concerned.

4. What documents do I need to legalize?

If you are not sure what documents need to be legalized you should contact the foreign authority or organization which require the documents.

5. What documents can be legalized?

In summary, the Legalization Office will legalize USA/UK/AUSTRALIA educational documents; birth, death, marriage and civil partnership certificates; Certificates of No Impediment (CNIs) or ‘No Trace’ letters issued by the GRO; Deed Poll, some types of religious documents; court documents; Powers of Attorney, wills, affidavits, declarations and notarial acts; certificates of incorporation and other documents issued by Companies House; export certificates; documents from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC). For more detailed information on the documents that can be legalized, visit the Legalization Office website.
If you have a foreign document that requires legalization you should contact the relevant embassy in that country.

6. How can I have my documents legalized?

Simply Contact Us click here

Export Letters of Credit

1. What is Bank confirmation and what are the benefits for adding confirmation on your Export LC?

By adding confirmation your payment is secured by the Confirming Bank (presumed to be the sellers bank). Negotiating/Accepting/Advising bank will pay you if the issuing bank goes bankrupt. Confirmation should be requested if you are unsure about the buyer’s bank or country.

2. What are Incoterms?

It is a predefined method of Delivery published by ICC. Incoterms are terms agreed between the buyer and the seller as to when title on the goods transfers from seller to buyer and who pays the various transport charges.

Incoterms 2010
• EXW – Ex Works (named place of delivery)
• CPT – Carriage Paid To (named place of destination)
• CIP – Carriage and Insurance Paid to (named place of destination)
• DAT – Delivered at Terminal (named terminal at port or place of destination)
• DAP – Delivered at Place (named place of destination)
• DDP – Delivered Duty Paid (named place of destination)
• FAS – Free alongside Ship (named port of shipment)
• FOB – Free on Board (named port of shipment)
• CFR – Cost and Freight (named port of destination)
• CIF – Cost, Insurance and Freight (named port of destination)
• DAF – Delivered at Frontier (named place of delivery)
• DES – Delivered Ex Ship (named port of delivery)
• DEQ – Delivered Ex Quay (named port of delivery)
• DDU – Delivered Duty Unpaid (named place of destination)

3. What is UCP?

The Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits (UCP). A significant function of the ICC is the preparation and promotion of its uniform rules of practice. All documents required under the LC will be prepared in accordance with UCP 600 by RHDC.

4. What is Usance and Sight LOC’s?

Sight Letters of Credit indicate that the drafts drawn are due upon presentation of the shipping documents. ICC rules allow the Issuing Bank and seven business days to review the documents for discrepancies before accepting or rejecting the documents. Upon acceptance, the Issuing Bank makes payment to the letter of credit beneficiary according to the instructions on the draft. If the documents are rejected, the Issuing Bank advises the beneficiary’s bank of the rejection and waits for instructions on how to dispose of the documents. The goods cannot be released if the documents are rejected.

Usance Letters of Credit allow a specified number of days from the Transport Document date or from the presentation of the documents, before the draft matures. ICC rules allow the Issuing Bank and seven business days to review the documents for discrepancies before accepting or rejecting the documents. Upon acceptance, the Issuing Bank advises the beneficiary’s bank of the maturity date and makes payment to the letter of credit beneficiary accordingly. If rejected, the Issuing Bank advises the beneficiary’s bank of the rejection and waits for instructions on how to dispose of the documents. Documents will not be released to the buyer if they are rejected, so title to the goods remains with the seller in this instance.