MT700 Field 49: Confirmation Instructions
What the CONFIRM, MAY ADD and WITHOUT codes in MT700 field 49 mean for the exporter.
Reviewed by LCCheck team (owner-approved) · 2026-10-12
Short answer
Field 49 tells the advised bank whether it is asked to add its confirmation. CONFIRM means it is requested to confirm; MAY ADD means it is authorised to confirm if the beneficiary asks; WITHOUT means no confirmation is requested. A bank is not obliged to confirm even when asked, and confirmation takes effect only when the bank adds it (UCP 600 Art. 8).
| Field | 49 Confirmation Instructions |
|---|---|
| Codes | CONFIRM, MAY ADD, WITHOUT |
| Rule | UCP 600 Art. 8 |
What each code means for you
- CONFIRM: check the advising bank actually added confirmation.
- MAY ADD: you can ask and pay for confirmation.
- WITHOUT: silent confirmation may be possible by private arrangement, outside the credit.
Check
- Who pays the confirmation fee (71D / 49 related fields).
- The confirming bank's advice states it has confirmed.
Sources
- Swift — MT700 Issue of a Documentary Credit (category 7 standards)
- ICC — UCP 600 (Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits)
General guidance, not legal advice. Your bank examines documents independently.
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