MT700 Field 48: Period for Presentation
What field 48 of the SWIFT MT700 means, how the presentation period is counted, and the 21-day default.
Reviewed by LCCheck team (owner-approved) · 2026-10-12
Short answer
Field 48 of the MT700 states the period for presentation, in days after the date of shipment (or another stated event). If field 48 is absent, UCP 600 Article 14(c) applies: original transport documents must be presented within 21 calendar days after shipment, and in every case no later than the credit's expiry date.
| Field | 48 Period for Presentation in Days |
|---|---|
| If absent | 21 calendar days after shipment (Art. 14(c)) |
| Always capped by | Expiry date, field 31D |
How to count
- Start from the shipment date shown on the transport document.
- Add the number of days in field 48 (calendar days).
- Compare with the expiry date in 31D; the earlier date is the deadline.
Common mistakes
- Counting banking days instead of calendar days.
- Forgetting that expiry can come first.
- Using the invoice date instead of the shipment date.
Worked example (fictional)
Shipment on 18 November 2026, field 48 says 15 days, expiry 15 December. Deadline: 3 December (18 November + 15 days).
Sources
- ICC — UCP 600 (Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits)
- Swift — MT700 Issue of a Documentary Credit (category 7 standards)
General guidance, not legal advice. Your bank examines documents independently.
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