
SWIFT MT705 Pre-Advice — Fast, Credible LC Intent
MT705 pre-advice gives sellers early assurance that an MT700 Letter of Credit is in process—so production, logistics, and document preparation can start with confidence. We align wording, routes, and timelines to UCP 600 / ISBP 745.
How Does an MT705 Pre-Advice Work?
- Buyer requests an LC from their bank (issuing bank/applicant).
- Issuing bank sends MT705 to the beneficiary’s/advising bank as advance notice.
- Seller prepares goods & documents based on the pre-advice (production/logistics commence).
- Final LC issuance (MT700) is transmitted with operative terms.
- Shipment & payment proceed upon compliant presentation under the MT700.
Key Features of MT705
- Bank-issued notice: Confidence that an LC is forthcoming.
- Quick verification: Advising bank aligns early with issuer.
- Optimized trade flow: Plan production and shipment windows.
- Standards-driven: UCP 600 framework; later governed by MT700 content.
MT705 is informational (non-binding for payment). The binding obligation arrives with MT700.
Documents Required for MT705 Pre-Advice
- Proforma Invoice or Sales Contract (Incoterms, shipment plan, documents list)
- Buyer’s credit & KYC profile
- Corporate docs (trade license, registration, ownership)
- 6–12 months bank statements (where applicable)
- Shipment & delivery terms (ports, windows, tolerances)
Best-Practice Pre-Advice Clauses
- Intended LC type (Sight/Usance/Deferred; Transferable if needed)
- Latest shipment & presentation periods
- Document set (B/L or AWB, insurance, COO, inspection, etc.)
- Tolerance on amount/quantity (e.g., ±5%) and partial shipments (43P)
- Charges allocation (71B) and confirmation intent (if any)
MT705 vs MT700 vs Free-Format SWIFT
Instrument | Binding LC? | Primary Purpose | Best For |
---|---|---|---|
MT705 Pre-Advice | ❌ No | Advance notice LC is coming | Planning, alignment, production prep |
MT700 LC | ✅ Yes | Operative LC issuance | Trade execution & payment |
MT199/999 Free-Format | ❌ No | Custom bank-to-bank messaging | Confirmations, clarifications, intent |
NNRV’s Structuring & Coordination
- Term sheet & draft: Prepare MT705/MT700 wording aligned to UCP 600 / ISBP 745.
- Bank matching: Align issuer/advising/confirming preferences and corridors.
- Transmission & tracking: Monitor MT705 dispatch and subsequent MT700 issuance.
- Doc readiness: Coach sellers on discrepancy-free document presentation.
- Payout oversight: Coordinate with banks through presentation to settlement.
Partner Banks for MT705 Pre-Advice & MT700 Issuance (25+)
BIC/SWIFT references are indicative; branch codes vary by file. Click a code to copy.
Bank Name | SWIFT Code | Advantages | Disadvantages | Issuance Fees | Issuance Time | Min. Transaction | Region |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
HSBC Hong Kong | HSBCHKHHXXX | Top-tier security, fast delivery | High compliance checks | 0.5%–8% | 1–5 days | $1M | Global |
BNP Paribas (France) | BNPAFRPP | Strong EU–Asia network | Additional due diligence | 0.5%–7% | 2–6 days | $1M | Europe/Asia |
Bank of China (Hong Kong) | BKCHHKHHXXX | Ideal for Asia trade | Less flexible for startups | 0.5%–7% | 2–5 days | $1M | Asia |
Mashreq Bank (UAE) | BOMLAEAD | MENA trade expertise | May need UAE ties | 0.5%–6% | 2–6 days | $500K | MENA |
Standard Chartered (Dubai) | SCBLAEAD | Cross-border leader | High doc requirements | 0.5%–7% | 2–6 days | $500K | Global |
UOB (Singapore) | UOVBSGSG | Fast APAC issuance | Focus on larger clients | 0.5%–6% | 2–5 days | $1M | Asia |
Crédit Agricole (France) | AGRIFRPP | Trusted European group | Slower on complex LCs | 0.5%–7% | 2–6 days | $1M | Europe |
DBS Bank (Singapore) | DBSSSGSG | APAC corridors | Strict timelines | 0.6%–7% | 2–5 days | $500K | Asia |
OCBC Bank (Singapore) | OCBCSGSG | ASEAN networks | Conservative wording | 0.6%–7% | 2–5 days | $500K | Asia |
JPMorgan Chase (USA) | CHASUS33 | Global reach | Strict compliance | 0.5%–7% | 2–5 days | $1M | Global |
Citibank (USA) | CITIUS33 | Multi-currency hubs | Documentation rigor | 0.5%–7% | 2–5 days | $1M | Global |
Deutsche Bank (Germany) | DEUTDEFF | Global network | Complex AML | 0.6%–8% | 2–6 days | $1M | Global |
Commerzbank (Germany) | COBADEFF | EU SMEs focus | Weekend limits | 0.6%–7% | 2–4 days | $500K | Europe |
Barclays (UK) | BARCGB22 | UK corridors | Strict docs | 0.6%–7% | 2–5 days | $750K | Europe |
NatWest Markets (UK) | NWBKGB2L | UK/EU trade | Conservative terms | 0.6%–7% | 2–5 days | $750K | Europe |
HSBC London (UK) | MIDLGB22 | Asia–EU bridge | Heavy pre-checks | 0.5%–8% | 1–4 days | $1M | Europe/Asia |
First Abu Dhabi Bank (UAE) | NBADAEAA | Energy/O&G | Pre-KYC strict | 0.6%–7% | 2–5 days | $1M | MENA |
Emirates NBD (UAE) | EBILAEAD | GCC trade | Doc conservatism | 0.6%–7% | 2–5 days | $500K | MENA |
Qatar National Bank | QNBAQAQA | GCC projects | Regional criteria | 0.6%–7% | 2–5 days | $1M | MENA |
Royal Bank of Canada | ROYCCAT2 | CAD/USD corridors | Eligibility checks | 0.5%–7% | 2–5 days | $500K | North America |
Scotiabank (Canada) | NOSCCATT | Americas networks | Doc precision | 0.5%–7% | 2–5 days | $500K | Americas |
TD (Canada) | TDOMCATT | North America | Conservative terms | 0.5%–7% | 2–5 days | $500K | Americas |
UniCredit (Italy) | UNCRITMM | EU industrials | Detailed LC text | 0.6%–7% | 2–6 days | $750K | Europe |
Santander (Spain) | BSCHESMM | EU/LatAm bridge | Higher scrutiny | 0.6%–7% | 2–6 days | $750K | Europe/LatAm |
Bank of China (Mainland) | BKCHCNBJ | Global China network | Strict LC wording | 0.5%–7% | 2–6 days | $1M | Asia |
ICBC (China) | ICBKCNBJ | Large projects | Longer approvals | 0.5%–7% | 3–7 days | $1M | Asia |
China Construction Bank (HK) | CCBQHKAX | HK gateway | Formal docs | 0.5%–7% | 2–6 days | $750K | Asia |
PG Asia Investment Bank (MY) | AINEMY22 | APAC agility | Recognition varies | 0.5%–7% | 2–5 days | $250K | APAC |
Dushanbe City Bank (TJ) | LCMDTJ22 | Frontier markets | Lower visibility | 0.5%–8% | 3–7 days | $250K | Central Asia |
Asia Pacific Investment Bank (MY) | ASPMMYKL | Growing APAC | Less EU acceptance | 0.5%–7% | 2–5 days | $300K | APAC |
Standard Commerce Bank (USA) | STDMDMDMXXX | Americas corridors | Complex KYC | 0.5%–8% | 2–6 days | $500K | Americas |
Credit Foncier IM UND Export GmbH (DE) | CFEGDE82 | EU structuring accuracy | Slower non-EU | 0.6%–8% | 2–7 days | $500K | Europe |
Unibanque (UK) | UNBQGB22 | SME-friendly | Strong documentation | 0.5%–7% | 2–6 days | $500K | UK |
Tabarak Investment Capital (UAE) | TIBIAEADXXX | MENA exports | DD intensive | 0.5%–8% | 2–6 days | $300K | MENA |
Golden Touch Investment Bank | GTIVMT2LXXX | Private structuring | Lower recognition | 0.5%–6% | 2–5 days | $250K | Global |
Al-Amanah Islamic Investment Bank (PH) | AIIPPHM1XXX | Sharia-compliant | Limited global reach | 0.5%–8% | 2–7 days | $250K | APAC |
Point Bank (UK) | POITGB21 | Agile & flexible | Newer institution | 0.5%–7% | 2–5 days | $250K | UK |
ABC Banking Corporation (MU) | ABCKMUMU | Africa/SME friendly | Currency limits | 0.5%–7% | 2–5 days | $250K | Africa/IO |
Secure MT705 / MT700 Intake
All submissions are encrypted in transit. We may decline files that present elevated compliance or reputational risk.
Client Reviews (10)
Frequently Asked Questions (15)
1) Is MT705 binding like an LC?
2) Why send a pre-advice instead of going straight to MT700?
3) How long between MT705 and MT700?
4) Can partial shipments be indicated?
5) Do we need confirmation at pre-advice stage?
6) What are common pitfalls?
7) Can an MT705 be amended?
8) What KYC is needed?
9) What if the buyer’s bank delays the MT700?
10) Is MT705 useful for tenders?
11) Can MT705 include expiry info?
12) Which bank chooses the advising bank?
13) Do Incoterms matter at pre-advice stage?
14) What fees apply for MT705?
15) Do you support ESG/Impact transactions?
Compliance & Standards
All cases undergo KYC/AML & sanctions screening. Pre-advice and LC wording align to issuer policy and corridor requirements. We may decline engagements with elevated compliance or reputational risk.