Open Account Transactions — Credit Management and Collection Risk in Trade Payments

2026年5月15日 最終更新日時 : 2026年8月16日 Interlink編集部
日本語English
This page is a translation for reading support. The Japanese article is the official version. For legal, customs, insurance, or regulatory decisions, please confirm against the Japanese original and the relevant parties.

Open Account Transactions and Credit Risk Management

An Open Account transaction is a sale under which the exporter supplies goods or services before receiving payment and the importer pays at an agreed future due date.

Open Account is a commercial payment term rather than a method of transferring funds. The exporter extends credit to the importer and records an account receivable after shipment or performance.

T/T Remittance is frequently used to make the eventual payment, but T/T and Open Account do not have the same meaning.

Open Account describes when payment is due and whose credit supports the sale. T/T describes how funds are transferred through banks.

An Open Account sale does not inherently provide the independent undertaking of an issuing bank available under an L/C or the document-against-payment control used in a D/P Collection.

However, Open Account terms may be supplemented by a Standby L/C, Demand Guarantee, credit insurance, international factoring, or another risk-mitigation arrangement.

Open Account therefore does not necessarily mean that the receivable is unsecured. The underlying sale remains a deferred-payment sale, while any guarantee, insurance, or financing is added separately.

Scope of This Article

Item Covered in This Article Covered in Related Articles
Open Account Deferred payment, receivables, credit limits, and collection risk Country-specific litigation, arbitration, and insolvency procedures
T/T Remittance Difference between a payment term and a bank-transfer method Detailed remittance, correspondent-bank, and payment-tracing procedures
L/C Comparison with a bank undertaking based on a complying presentation Articles on residual L/C risk, discrepancies, and confirmation
D/P Comparison with release of collection documents against payment The article on non-payment and stranded cargo under D/P
D/A Comparison with release against acceptance of a time draft Articles on maturity default, Aval, and D/A cargo release
Export Credit Insurance Basic protection against commercial and political non-payment risk Detailed limits, notice, exclusions, and claim procedures
International Factoring Credit review, risk protection, receivables administration, collection, and funding Detailed two-factor arrangements and assignment procedures
Supply Chain Finance Basic relationship with Receivables Discounting and Payables Finance Specific programme, accounting, legal, and finance conditions
Forfaiting When an Open Account receivable may or may not be suitable for forfaiting Detailed non-recourse purchase, instruments, and guarantees
Transport Documents Relationship with B/Ls, Sea Waybills, Surrendered B/Ls, and AWBs Legal characteristics and ordinary D/O procedures
Marine Cargo Insurance Distinction between physical cargo damage and non-payment Cargo claims, insurance recovery, and recourse against carriers

Basic Structure of an Open Account Transaction

Stage Exporter Importer Main Exporter Risk
1. Sales Contract Agrees goods, price, currency, payment term, and delivery condition Accepts the deferred-payment condition Credit is extended under unclear contractual terms
2. Credit Approval Sets a buyer credit limit and payment term May provide financial and ownership information Insufficient information or an excessive limit
3. Shipment Ships the goods and issues the Invoice Awaits delivery Control of the goods is lost before payment
4. Receivable Records an account receivable Records a payable Funding cost and unpaid exposure increase
5. Pre-Due-Date Control Confirms Invoice receipt and payment preparation Obtains internal approval and foreign currency A problem is discovered only after maturity
6. Payment Confirms value, currency, deductions, and Invoice allocation Remits through T/T or another agreed method Delay, deduction, regulation, or non-payment
7. Allocation Applies the receipt to the correct Invoice Provides remittance details Unallocated receipts and incorrect overdue balances
8. Continuing Credit Decision Reviews further shipment against payment performance Places additional orders Further shipment increases an already overdue exposure

Open Account and T/T Remittance

Comparison Open Account T/T Remittance Practical Relationship
Meaning A deferred-payment commercial term A bank-transfer method T/T is often used to pay an Open Account Invoice.
Main Concern Credit, due date, receivable, and recovery Sending bank, receiving bank, currency, and value Review the commercial term and transfer procedure separately.
Timing Payment ordinarily follows shipment or performance May be used for advance, deferred, instalment, or simultaneous payment A T/T is not necessarily a deferred payment.
Credit Risk The exporter relies on the importer’s payment ability and intention The transfer mechanism does not guarantee that the buyer will initiate payment Deferred T/T requires Open Account credit control.
Bank Role No independent undertaking arises from the basic term The bank transfers funds under the remittance instruction The remitting bank does not ordinarily guarantee the trade debt.

Comparison of Payment Terms

Payment Term Payment or Document Condition Bank Involvement Main Exporter Risk Risk Mitigation Typical Use
Open Account Exporter performs first and importer pays later No inherent bank payment undertaking or documentary control Delay, non-payment, insolvency, transfer restriction, or dispute Credit limit, insurance, factoring, guarantee, and shipment stop Established buyers with monitored credit
D/P Collection documents are released against payment Banks handle documents and collection under instructions Buyer refuses payment and cargo remains uncollected Cargo plan, B/L control, credit review, and insurance Transactions requiring some documentary control
D/A Documents are released against acceptance of a time draft Banks handle collection and confirm acceptance but do not guarantee maturity payment Non-payment after cargo release Aval, guarantee, credit insurance, and shorter tenor Transactions requiring a formal maturity instrument
L/C Documents are presented under the credit Issuing or confirming bank undertakes to honour a complying presentation Discrepancy, bank credit, country risk, regulation, and goods risk Document review, confirmation, insurance, and pre-shipment control Transactions requiring a bank undertaking
Advance T/T Funds are received before shipment Banks execute the remittance Relatively low collection risk for the exporter Buyer due diligence, inspection, guarantees, and instalments New buyers, high-risk markets, or customised goods
Open Account with Standby L/C Ordinary deferred payment supported by a standby claim after default The standby issuer responds to a complying demand Demand wording, expiry, bank risk, and country risk Demand review, deadline control, and confirmation where needed Open Account convenience with bank-backed payment support

Main Open Account Risks

Risk Condition Early Warning Main Response
Payment Delay No receipt by the contractual due date Changing payment dates and no remittance evidence Immediate enquiry and review of further shipment
Long-Term Non-Payment Repeated failure to perform promised payment plans Instalment requests and reduced communication Shipment stop, insurance notice, and recovery action
Buyer Insolvency Bankruptcy, liquidation, closure, or inability to pay Increasing delays, management changes, and supplier complaints Proof of debt, insurer notice, guarantee, and evidence preservation
Quality or Quantity Dispute Payment is withheld because of an alleged claim Late claim, unclear evidence, or full withholding Separate disputed and undisputed amounts
Transfer Restriction The importer cannot remit foreign currency Foreign-exchange allocation and government approval delays Country-risk review, insurance, and alternative settlement
Accumulated Exposure Several unpaid and unbilled shipments overlap Limit utilisation and payment-term extensions Calculate total exposure and control shipment
Reduced Leverage after Delivery The buyer demands a discount after obtaining the cargo Requests following Surrender or Sea Waybill release Use contract and credit support before release

Credit Limits and Total Exposure

Open Account control must extend beyond issued and unpaid Invoices.

Total exposure may include:

  • issued and unpaid Invoices;
  • shipped but unbilled goods;
  • completed or non-cancellable goods not yet shipped;
  • firm orders already in production;
  • amounts withheld because of a dispute;
  • amounts outside insurance or factoring protection; and
  • exposure to related companies within the same group.
Control Item Matter to Confirm Problematic Position Action if a Problem Exists
Credit Limit Buyer and group limit Total exposure exceeds the approved amount Stop shipment or require advance payment or security.
Payment Term Starting event and number of days The start date is unclear or unilaterally extended State it in the contract and Invoice.
Delay History Days overdue, frequency, reason, and promises Repeated late payment without limit adjustment Review rating, limit, and payment term.
Risk Protection Insurance, guarantee, or factoring amount in force Expired or ineligible exposure Confirm effectiveness before shipment.
Concentration Exposure by buyer, country, and industry One default materially affects the exporter Diversify limits and payment methods.
Unallocated Receipts Application of receipts to Invoices The true overdue amount is unclear Allocate by buyer and Invoice.

Payment Delay and Unpaid Status

A payment delay exists when payment has not been received by the contractual due date.

Unpaid is a general operational term for an expected payment that has not been made. It does not have one uniform legal threshold for all transactions.

An exporter’s internal Unpaid status, a bank’s delinquency classification, and an insurer’s insured event or waiting period may differ.

The exporter should begin internal overdue control immediately while separately reviewing the notice and claim conditions under each insurance or guarantee contract.

Response Flow after Payment Delay

Stage Matter to Confirm Decision Next Action
1. Due Date Contract, Invoice, starting event, holidays, and currency Whether payment is actually overdue Begin the overdue procedure.
2. Remittance Date, copy, bank, currency, and reference Not sent or still in transfer Trace the payment or obtain a firm remittance date.
3. Cause Administration, liquidity, dispute, regulation, or sanctions Temporary issue or credit deterioration Set a response deadline appropriate to the cause.
4. Exposure Unpaid, unbilled, unshipped, and new orders Whether additional loss will increase Stop shipment or change to advance payment.
5. Risk Protection Insurance, guarantee, factoring, or Standby L/C Whether notice or demand deadlines apply Contact the relevant provider before expiry.
6. Payment Plan Lump sum, instalments, security, and default consequences Whether the plan is realistic Document it and link it to further shipment.
7. Evidence Contract, Invoice, B/L, receipt, and communications Whether the debt can be proved Preserve original and electronic evidence.
8. External Recovery Governing law, jurisdiction, arbitration, assets, and insolvency Whether recovery is economically justified Agree the strategy with advisers and insurers.

Export Credit Insurance

Open Account is a typical payment term for which export credit or trade credit insurance may be considered.

Depending on the policy, protection may apply to non-payment caused by buyer insolvency, protracted default, transfer restriction, or other commercial and political risks.

Coverage is not automatically equal to the full value of every receivable.

Review Item Matter to Confirm Problematic Position Action if a Problem Exists
Approved Buyer Whether the buyer is approved Shipment to an unapproved buyer Confirm approval before shipment.
Credit Limit Insured and internal limits Exposure exceeds the insured limit Reduce shipment or obtain additional cover.
Maximum Payment Term Permitted credit period The due date is extended without approval Confirm consent before changing terms.
Insured Percentage Share of the loss borne by the insurer Full recovery is assumed Calculate the maximum uninsured amount.
Exclusions Commercial dispute and exporter breach A quality dispute remains unresolved Preserve evidence and clarify the dispute.
Notice Delay, non-payment, deterioration, and term changes Notice is delayed while negotiations continue Control the deadline from the first delay.
Mitigation and Recovery Shipment stop, negotiation, and insolvency filing Required recovery steps are not taken Coordinate recovery with the insurer.

Coverage, limits, insured percentage, exclusions, notice periods, and claim conditions depend on the relevant policy and individual approval.

The exporter should consult the insurer or insurance intermediary before changing to Open Account terms, extending payment, continuing shipment after delay, or restructuring the debt.

International Factoring

International factoring may combine credit assessment, credit-risk protection, receivables administration, collection, and financing of cross-border Open Account receivables.

Not every factoring arrangement is non-recourse or protected against buyer default.

Function Main Content Exporter Benefit Main Restriction
Credit Assessment Reviews the importer using local or international information Supports the credit decision Information and guarantee approval are separate.
Credit Protection May protect approved exposure within a limit Reduces buyer default risk Exclusions, percentage, disputes, and limits apply.
Administration Controls Invoices, maturities, and balances Standardises receivables control Accurate reporting is required.
Collection The local factor may collect from the importer Uses local language and practice Not available for every buyer or country.
Financing Advances part of the Invoice before maturity Improves working capital Interest, charges, reserve, and recourse must be reviewed.
Assignment Transfers the receivable to the factor Supports collection and financing Assignment restrictions and perfection requirements apply.

Supply Chain Finance

Supply Chain Finance is an umbrella term covering several financing and risk-mitigation techniques linked to receivables and payables.

Relevant Open Account techniques include Receivables Discounting, Factoring, and Payables Finance.

A buyer-led programme under which the seller may obtain early payment of buyer-approved Invoices based mainly on the buyer’s credit is generally described as Payables Finance or Reverse Factoring.

Technique Starting Asset or Event Main Credit Focus Seller Financing Main Risk
Receivables Discounting Seller’s outstanding Invoices Buyer credit and receivable eligibility Individual or multiple receivables are sold at a discount Recourse, assignment, duplicate financing, and dispute
Factoring Seller’s receivables portfolio Buyer credit and factor approval Advance, protection, and collection may be combined Limits, exclusions, and fees
Payables Finance Buyer-approved payable Primarily buyer credit The seller elects early payment Buyer approval, debt finality, programme dependency, and fees
Dynamic Discounting Buyer-funded early payment Buyer liquidity and approval The seller accepts a discount for early payment Discount, timing, and eligible Invoices

Forfaiting

Forfaiting generally involves the non-recourse purchase of future payment obligations represented by financial instruments or otherwise transferable payment obligations.

Typical obligations include bills of exchange, promissory notes, bank Aval, L/C obligations, or other payment commitments with legal certainty and a degree of independence from the underlying sale.

An Open Account Invoice may be considered for receivables purchase or forfaiting where the buyer has confirmed the debt, assignment is effective, and the payment obligation is sufficiently final.

Review Item Ordinary Open Account Invoice Receivable Suitable for Forfaiting Reason for the Distinction
Debt Finality Acceptance, quality, set-off, or performance issues may remain The payment obligation is final or acknowledged Commercial defences make non-recourse purchase difficult.
Instrument Invoice and sales contract Negotiable instrument, Aval, bank undertaking, or similar obligation Legal independence and enforcement differ.
Transferability Assignment restrictions and perfection may apply The obligation is transferable and enforceable The financier must acquire and enforce the right.
Recourse Receivables finance may retain recourse Forfaiting is normally without recourse to the seller Non-recourse purchase requires stronger debt certainty.
Transaction Profile Often recurring short-term Invoices Often a specific transaction or structured future payment Factoring may be more suitable for a continuing portfolio.

Transport Documents

Document or Procedure Control through Original Main Open Account Risk Practical Response
Original Order B/L Possession and endorsement may control delivery Retention may conflict with the agreed deferred-delivery structure Define payment and release conditions contractually.
Straight B/L Depends on applicable law, wording, and carrier procedure Retention of the original may not prevent delivery Confirm the carrier’s delivery requirements.
Surrendered B/L No original is required at destination Cargo may be delivered before payment Control surrender authority and timing.
Sea Waybill No delivery control through possession and endorsement The named Consignee can receive the cargo Approve credit before shipment.
AWB Ordinarily not a negotiable document of title Air cargo reaches the buyer quickly Consider the short transit time in credit approval.

Scope of Freight Forwarder Involvement

The five classifications used in this article are not established by law or industry-wide consensus. They serve as an analytical framework within this series to clarify the scope of freight forwarder involvement.

Standard Five Classifications Main Involvement in Open Account Transactions Matters It Can Confirm Potential Responsibility Matters It Does Not Automatically Assume
Simple Intermediary Transmits the exporter’s shipment and cargo-release instructions to the relevant parties Instructions received, time of receipt, and communication records Incorrect or omitted communication within the delegated scope The importer’s creditworthiness or payment obligation
Cargo Transportation Service Provider Provides pickup, international transportation, storage, or delivery services Cargo location, transport stage, Actual Carrier, and delivery status Responsibility under the transport contract and applicable terms Collection of the exporter’s account receivable
NVOCC / House B/L Issuer Issues the House B/L and manages Surrender, D/O, and related cargo-release procedures House B/L, Master B/L, cargo-release status, and instruction records Responsibility under the House B/L and applicable transport terms The exporter’s credit decision or the importer’s payment
Door-to-Door Single Contractor Manages transportation from pickup through final delivery under an integrated contract All transport stages, storage, delivery, and Actual Carriers Responsibility under the integrated door-to-door transport contract The sales price or financial credit protection
Agent or Coordinator for Specific Operations Coordinates Surrender, Sea Waybill issuance, document dispatch, or another specified operation Delegated tasks, instructions, documents, and progress Failure to exercise due care within the delegated scope The safety of the Open Account terms or final collection of payment

Contracting Carrier and Actual Carrier are legal or contractual status concepts and do not replace the Standard Five Classifications used in this article.

Practical operations such as packing, storage, inspection, stowage, vanning, and devanning do not, by themselves, constitute a sixth classification.

A freight forwarder or NVOCC does not guarantee the importer’s creditworthiness or payment merely because it handles a Sea Waybill, Surrendered B/L, or D/O.

Common Practical Cases

Case Main Cause Evidence Decision Point Initial Response
Deferred T/T Is Treated as a Safe Bank Payment Confusion between payment term and transfer method Contract, Invoice, and payment condition Whether any bank undertaking exists Reassess the transaction as Open Account credit.
Several Shipments Continue before the First Due Date No total exposure control Orders, shipments, Invoices, and receivables Whether the credit limit is exceeded Stop unshipped orders and calculate exposure.
Non-Payment after Sea Waybill Delivery Release without payment support Sea Waybill, delivery, and Invoice Whether cargo recovery remains possible Stop further shipment and notify risk providers.
Full Payment Withheld for a Partial Quality Claim No separation of claim and payment obligation Inspection, photographs, contract, and receipt Amount genuinely in dispute Demand payment of the undisputed balance.
Further Shipment Based Only on a Remittance Copy No value confirmation Copy, bank reference, and account record Whether the payment was completed Trace the payment and consider shipment after value.
Shipment Exceeds the Insured Limit Different internal and insurance limits Insurance approval, shipment, and receivables Amount remaining uninsured Reduce shipment or obtain additional support.
Payment Term Is Extended without Approval Commercial negotiation overrides risk control Contract, email, and insurance conditions Whether protection remains effective Obtain approval before amendment.
Invoice Is Ineligible for Payables Finance No buyer approval or an active dispute Programme record, approval, and Invoice Whether a final approved payable exists Obtain approval or use another financing method.
Exporter Requests Non-Recourse Forfaiting Insufficient finality of the Invoice receivable Contract, confirmation, guarantee, and assignment Whether an independent or confirmed payment obligation exists Compare factoring and other receivables finance.
Insurance Notice after Prolonged Delay Negotiation took priority over notice deadlines Policy, reminders, and due date Compliance with notice requirements Notify when the delay or deterioration first emerges.

Example 1: Deferred T/T Was Not Managed as Open Account

An exporter ships every month under a term stated as “T/T 60 days after shipment.”

The sales department assumes that the transaction is safe because payment will be made through a bank and does not establish a credit limit.

T/T is only the remittance method. Payment 60 days after shipment is an Open Account extension of credit.

When the importer’s liquidity deteriorates, three months of shipments, unbilled goods, and goods in production are exposed at the same time.

The exporter must calculate total exposure, stop additional shipment, review advance payment, notify insurers or factors, and begin recovery control.

Example 2: Quality Claim after Sea Waybill Delivery

Machine parts are sold on Open Account terms and transported under a Sea Waybill.

After receiving the goods, the importer alleges that some parts are defective and withholds the entire Invoice.

The exporter cannot use possession of an Original B/L to control goods that have already been released under the Sea Waybill.

The affected lot, quantity, cause, and reasonable claim value must be identified, while payment of the undisputed balance is demanded.

Further shipment should be suspended and insurance, factoring, inspection, and photographic evidence should be reviewed.

Example 3: Attempt to Forfait an Open Account Receivable

An exporter sells capital equipment under an Open Account instalment arrangement and seeks non-recourse sale of the future receivables.

If the receivable depends only on an Invoice and sales contract and remains subject to acceptance, performance warranties, or set-off, the financier may regard the debt as insufficiently final.

If the buyer unconditionally acknowledges the debt and the payment is represented or supported by a promissory note, bank Aval, independent payment undertaking, or other transferable obligation, the structure may be more suitable for forfaiting.

A long payment term alone does not make an Open Account receivable suitable for forfaiting.

The exporter should compare Receivables Discounting, Factoring, Payables Finance, and Forfaiting based on the legal character of the receivable.

Common Misunderstandings

Misunderstanding Correct Approach Practical Consideration
Open Account and T/T have the same meaning Open Account is a payment term; T/T is a remittance method. Manage deferred T/T as Open Account credit.
Open Account cannot have payment support Standby L/C, guarantees, insurance, and factoring may be added. Separate the sale term from the support instrument.
An established buyer does not need a credit limit Established buyers may still suffer liquidity or country problems. Monitor payment behaviour and total exposure.
A large company cannot default Size alone does not establish payment capacity. Review finance, tenor, structure, and concentration.
A remittance copy means payment has been received Correspondent review, recall, or rejection may still occur. Confirm actual value.
A payment delay should simply be tolerated Delay may be an early sign of credit deterioration or regulation. Review the cause and further shipment immediately.
A Sea Waybill controls payment A Sea Waybill does not use possession of originals to control delivery. Approve credit and protection before shipment.
Holding an Original B/L always secures an Open Account sale Delivery duties and Straight B/L procedures may limit that control. Review the B/L type and release condition.
A quality claim permits withholding the full Invoice The disputed amount may differ from the total receivable. Separate undisputed payment.
Credit insurance guarantees full recovery Limits, insured percentages, exclusions, and notice apply. Calculate the uninsured exposure.
International factoring is always non-recourse Protection, recourse, and financing depend on the agreement. Review credit protection separately from the advance.
All Supply Chain Finance is buyer-led SCF also includes seller-side receivables techniques. Identify the actual technique.
Every Open Account receivable can be forfaited Finality, independence, and transferability are material. Compare other receivables-finance techniques.
Marine cargo insurance covers non-payment Cargo insurance ordinarily covers physical cargo loss. Use separate credit-risk protection.

Transaction Approval Checklist

Review Stage Party to Consult Matters to Confirm Action if a Problem Exists
New Buyer Importer, credit-information provider, and internal credit department Existence, financial condition, payment history, ownership, and credit Use advance payment, an L/C, or a small initial limit.
Credit Limit Sales, accounting, and credit departments Unpaid, unbilled, unshipped, and group exposure Stop orders and shipments exceeding the limit.
Payment Term Importer and finance department Starting event, tenor, holidays, currency, and due date Require an advance, partial payment, or shorter tenor.
Transport Document Importer, freight forwarder, and NVOCC B/L, Sea Waybill, Surrendered B/L, or AWB Do not use original-free release before credit approval.
Credit Insurance Insurer and insurance intermediary Buyer, country, limit, term, insured percentage, and notice Review shipment before approval or above the limit.
Factoring Factor and importer Protection, advance, assignment, notice, and eligible Invoices Include unprotected exposure in the internal limit.
Term Change Importer, credit, insurer, and finance provider Extension, instalments, discount, and impact on protection Do not change terms before approval.
Country-Risk Change Bank, insurer, and compliance department Transfer restriction, sanctions, foreign-exchange shortage, and government action Stop shipment or change to advance payment.

Payment Delay and Unpaid Checklist

Review Stage Party to Consult Matters to Confirm Action if a Problem Exists
Immediately after Due Date Importer and accounting department Invoice, amount, currency, account, and due date Request payment status immediately.
Remittance Claimed Importer and bank Copy, date, bank, currency, and reference Keep the item outstanding until value or trace is confirmed.
Reason for Delay Importer and sales department Administration, liquidity, dispute, regulation, or sanctions Obtain evidence and a cause-specific deadline.
Before Further Shipment Sales, credit, and logistics departments Total exposure, days overdue, and unshipped orders Stop shipment or require advance payment.
Quality Claim Importer, quality, and logistics departments Goods, cause, quantity, loss, and undisputed amount Separate the disputed part and demand the balance.
Credit Insurance Insurer and insurance intermediary Notice, insured event, further shipment, and recovery duty Notify within the deadline even while negotiating.
Instalment Negotiation Importer, legal, and credit departments Repayment source, schedule, security, and default consequences Document the plan and stop further credit.
Long-Term Non-Payment Legal counsel, insurer, collection agency, and local adviser Governing law, jurisdiction, assets, insolvency, and recovery cost Proceed with preservation, insurance, and legal recovery.

When Specialist Advice Is Required

  • a substantial or long-term Open Account limit is proposed;
  • the buyer’s financial position or beneficial ownership cannot be verified;
  • the buyer requests an extension or instalment plan;
  • transfer restrictions, sanctions, foreign-exchange shortage, or government approval applies;
  • credit-insurance limits, exclusions, insured percentage, or notice is unclear;
  • factoring protection, recourse, or assignment is unclear;
  • the finality of a Payables Finance receivable is uncertain;
  • an Open Account receivable is to be forfaited or sold without recourse;
  • the buyer withholds the full Invoice because of a quality claim;
  • cross-border or group set-off is proposed;
  • the buyer becomes insolvent, closes its business, or cannot be located; or
  • a recovery, arbitration, litigation, or insolvency deadline is approaching.

Summary

Open Account is a payment term under which the exporter supplies goods or services before payment and the importer pays at an agreed future date.

Open Account is a commercial term, while T/T Remittance is a method of transferring funds. Deferred T/T should be managed as Open Account credit.

The basic Open Account term does not inherently include an L/C issuing-bank undertaking or D/P documentary control.

It may nevertheless be supported by a Standby L/C, Demand Guarantee, export credit insurance, international factoring, Receivables Discounting, or Payables Finance.

Credit exposure includes more than issued and unpaid Invoices. It may also include unbilled shipments, non-cancellable goods, work in progress, and amounts outside risk protection.

After payment delay, the exporter should verify remittance, cause, total exposure, further shipment, notice deadlines, and recovery options rather than merely waiting.

Unpaid is an operational term whose meaning may differ among internal control, banking, and insurance contracts. Insurance notice and claim requirements must be reviewed separately.

Sea Waybills, Surrendered B/Ls, and AWBs weaken control through possession of an Original B/L, making pre-shipment credit approval particularly important.

Supply Chain Finance is an umbrella term. A buyer-led programme financing buyer-approved payables is more specifically described as Payables Finance.

Forfaiting generally requires a final, transferable, and legally robust payment obligation. An ordinary Open Account Invoice is not automatically suitable for forfaiting.

Open Account improves commercial convenience and buyer liquidity but transfers material credit and collection risk to the exporter.

Effective Open Account management requires integrated control of buyer credit, total exposure, payment terms, country risk, transport documents, credit protection, and the response to non-payment.

Wikiカテゴリ
海上保険・B/L・貿易決済リスク
前の記事
T/T（Telegraphic Transfer）送金―貿易決済の仕組みとリスク管理
2026年5月15日
次の記事
D/A変更要求の危険性と受入判断 ― 与信悪化・B/L管理・回収保全
2026年5月15日