Our Trade Finance Instruments in Detail

• Guarantees and Sureties

  Guarantees and sureties from CIC (Switzerland) allow you to confirm your creditworthiness and performance capabilities without tying up capital. We assume liability toward third parties on your behalf - without a cash outflow - giving your business partners the confidence that you will meet contractual obligations. This indirect commitment acts as a powerful trust signal in competitive, transaction-driven markets.

• Letter of Credit

  The documentary letter of credit (L/C) is a proven instrument to secure payments in international trade. We commit to making payment to the seller - but only upon presentation of the agreed documents. This gives both parties certainty: the seller knows they will be paid, and the buyer retains control over the terms. Our experts ensure efficient and individual support at every step of the process.

• Letter of Credit - Export Example

  A Swiss machinery manufacturer exports equipment to China. To reduce risk, payment is secured via a letter of credit. Once the delivery terms are fulfilled and documents presented, the importer’s bank releases the funds. If a down payment or partial value needs additional protection, a bank guarantee (such as a down payment or warranty guarantee) can complement the structure - offering full commercial coverage from order to installation.

• Documentary Collection - Import Example

  A client sources smaller batches of finished products from several international suppliers. To streamline payments and reduce risk, transactions are settled via documentary collection. Agreed documents are presented by the seller, and CIC (Switzerland) only releases them to the buyer upon payment approval. This ensures secure handover and synchronised settlement - protecting both sides of the transaction.