Companies engage in international trade activities for various purposes: to expand market, to increase sales and revenues, to use production capability fully, to increase profits, etc. The ultimate purpose would be to make profits, and eventually to increase the value of the companies.

Companies engaging in international trade transactions are likely to make more revenues and profits. International trade transactions, however, bring various risks which are originated from the features of international trade. Exporters might not be paid although they performed the contract properly. The risk of non-payment is at large dependent on the method of payment.

The basic methods of payment in international trade are ‘payment in advance (cash in advance)’, ‘open account’, ‘documentary collection’, and ‘documentary credit (letters of credit)’. Other types of method of payment such as ‘consignment’, ‘netting’, and ‘bank payment obligation’ are also used. Each of the methods of payment has advantages and disadvantages to the parties.

Some methods of payment might bring detrimental losses instead of profits, and also cause cash flow problems. In this regard, in negotiating methods of payment, we are to consider trade finance as well as non-payment risk. There are various types of trade finance normally used in international trade: pre-shipment finance, negotiation of bills of exchange, discounting invoices, export factoring, international forfaiting, export credit insurance/guarantee, etc.

The understanding of various methods of payment in international trade together with the relevant trade finance scheme is a key to success in international trade transactions. The understanding of features/ risks of international trade will help understand the various methods of payment.

This book mainly covers various methods of payment in international trade. In addition, this book also overviews concept, purposes, features/risks of international trade, and trade finance. This book is designed for a one semester college course and is primarily aimed at undergraduates. This book is also available for a one semester course for upper-level undergraduate or graduate students.

This book provides a comprehensive treatment of methods of payment in international trade accessible to those less familiar with the subject matter. This book will also be a valuable reference for experienced managers and bankers.
This book is based on the author’s practices, researches, and college lectures in international trade.

STRENGTHS AND FEATURES OF THIS BOOK

1. Practical and systematic approach: This book explains concept, features/risks of international trade, trade documents, various types of methods of payment, and trade finance in practical aspect. This book offers systematic approach towards to international trade and payment together with trade finance. This book will be a practical guide to international trade and payment, and help practice international trade transactions.

2. Simple explanation with figures: This book explains in a very simple way, and provides figures for better understanding for concept and/or operation for each method of payment and for each types of trade finance including export credit insurance.

3. Designed for a one semester college course: This book is designed for a one semester college course and is primarily aimed at undergraduates. To that end, this book is composed of 13 chapters and two appendices. This book is also available for a one semester course for upper-level undergraduate or graduate students.

4. Reference for experienced managers and bankers: This book will be useful for those who engage in international trade transactions including bankers dealing with trade finance. This book provides a comprehensive explanation on methods of payment in international trade, and is detailed and professional enough to serve as a valuable reference for experienced managers and bankers.

5. Review questions and answers: Each chapter includes review questions and answers. Review questions and answers will tell what to understand and review.

6. Considerations for beginners: For the beginners, chapter 1 overviews international trade (i.e. concept, purposes, features and risks of international trade), and chapter 2 explains commercial documents and financial documents normally used in international trade. Further, chapter 3 previews and outlines various types of methods of payment.

7. Various examples and figures with explanation: This book provides various examples and figures for trade documents and each method of payment.