The focus of this book is upon the UCP, which consists of a set of principles that standardise banking procedures for payments by way of documentary credits (DC). These principles do not apply automatically, but are in play once traders choose to pay by letter of credit and to incorporate the UCP as part of their contract terms. The Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits (UCP) is a set of rules governing credits drafted by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC). The objective of UCP is to create a set rule that would establish uniformity in practice and to facilitate the flow of international trade and alleviate problems encountered when individual countries try and promote their own national rules on letter of credit practice. Although there have been dramatic changes in the operations of international trade since UCP was first adopted, it continues to be used by banks around the world because it has moved with and reflects those changes. The amendments made to UCP in its various revisions have addressed problems arising from the existing version of UCP and the interests and developments, which are seen as being relevant in the future.