POST-SHIPMENT FINANCE : It may be defined as "any loan or advance granted or any other credit provided by a bank to an exporter of goods from India from the date of extending the credit after shipment of goods to the date of realisation of export proceeds. It includes any loan or advance granted to an exporter on consideration of or on the security of, any Duty Drawback or any cash receivables by way of incentive from the Marketing Development Fund or any other relevant While granting post-shipment finance, banks are governed by the guidelines issued by the RBI, the rules of the Foreign Exchange Dealers Association of India (FEDAI). The Trade Control and Exchange Control Regulations and the International Conventions and Codes of the International chambers of Commerce. The exporters are required to obtain credit limits suitable to their needs. The quantum of credit depends on export sales and receivables.

Post-shipment finance is granted under various methods. The exporter may choose the type of facility as per his requirement. The Banks scrutinise the documents submitted for compliance of exchange control provisions like:

i) the documents are drawn in permitted currencies and payment receivable as permitted method of payment;

ii) the relevant GRPP form duly certified by the customs is submitted and particulars as stated in the GWPP form are consistent with the documents tendered as well as the sale contract firm order etc./letter of credit;

iii) the documents are submitted within the time limit stipulated and in case of delay suitable explanation is made;

iv) the period of usually is in consonance with the time limit prescribed for realisation of export proceeds.

Let us now discuss various types of post-shipment finance.