Goods Description Discrepancies Between the Letter of Credit and Invoice

How banks compare the invoice goods description with field 45A of a Letter of Credit, and how to avoid a mismatch.

Reviewed by LCCheck team (owner-approved) · 2026-10-12

Short answer

Under UCP 600 Article 18(c), the description of goods on the commercial invoice must correspond with the description in the Letter of Credit (field 45A). Other documents may describe the goods in general terms that do not conflict with the credit (Art. 14(e)). Missing, changed or contradictory details on the invoice are a common discrepancy.

Invoice	Must correspond with the credit (Art. 18(c))
Other documents	General terms allowed if not conflicting (Art. 14(e))
MT700 field	45A Description of Goods and/or Services

Why it happens

Invoice generated from an ERP product name, not the wording of 45A.
Model numbers, grades or origin from 45A left out.
Additional details that contradict the credit.
Trade terms (e.g. Incoterms) in 45A not repeated.

Is extra detail a problem?

Additional data that is consistent with the credit is generally acceptable, but data that indicates different goods, quality or origin can be a discrepancy. When in doubt, mirror the 45A wording exactly.

Before-presenting checklist

Copy the 45A wording onto the invoice.
Check quantity, unit price and total against 45A and 39A tolerance.
Check the trade term and place.
Make sure no other document describes conflicting goods.

Worked example (fictional)

Field 45A reads "500 MT Brazilian soybeans, GMO-free, CIF Rotterdam". An invoice stating "500 MT soybeans CIF Rotterdam" omits origin and the GMO-free condition and may be refused. A packing list stating "soybeans" is generally acceptable.

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Sources

General guidance, not legal advice. Your bank examines documents independently.

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