SWIFT MT199 — Sector Use Cases & Practical Templates

Real-world examples and ready-to-use narrative templates showing how MT199 unlocks operational clarity across Agro, Energy, Logistics, Construction and Technology trade flows.

Introduction — why sector context matters

MT199 is not one-size-fits-all. A narrative that works for a commodity shipment may trip compliance triggers in a financial derivative transaction. Sector context influences the language, documentary evidence, routing corridors, and expected turnaround time. This article maps common MT199 uses across five high-volume sectors and provides practical templates and compliance advice you can use immediately.

How to read these use cases

Each sector entry follows the same structure for easy use:

• Common problem — why parties need an MT199.
• Typical MT199 narrative — a short editable template.
• Key documents required — what banks will ask for.
• Routing & compliance tips — do’s and don’ts for faster clearance.

1) Agro‑food exports (perishables, certifications)

Common problem

Perishable shipments (fresh fruit, frozen produce) require tight coordination between exporter, buyer bank and freight forwarder. Delays in LC advice or unclear funding intent can kill shelf life and value.

Typical MT199 narrative (Agro)

{1:F01SENDERBANKXXXX}{2:I199RECEIVERBANKXXXXN}{4:
:20:AGRO-RWA-202509
:79:Dear Colleague,
Please note our client, , confirms Ready, Willing & Able to fund the transaction for shipment INV-789 dated 2025-09-03. Related instrument: MT700 ref: MT700 20250830 BNPAFRPPXXXX. Certificates of origin and phytosanitary reports available under case ref DOCS/AG/2025/789. This message is for operational coordination only.
Authorized by: Board resolution dated 01-Sep-2025
}

Key documents

• Commercial invoice & packing list
• Certificate of origin & phytosanitary certificate
• Proforma invoice / purchase contract
• Board resolution / LOI and signatory ID

Routing & compliance tips

• Prefer trade-active corridors (e.g., Hong Kong, Singapore, EU banks) experienced with perishable logistics.
• Attach documentary references to reduce follow-up KYC requests.
• Time the MT199 to arrive before cut-offs for vessel/airline bookings and customs clearance.

2) Energy & commodities (oil, gas, metals)

Common problem

Large-ticket shipments require rapid confirmation of funding intent and instrument routes. Pricing and delivery windows are tight; counterparties require authenticated confirmations to release cargo or commence loading.

Typical MT199 narrative (Energy)

{1:F01SENDERBANKXXXX}{2:I199RECEIVERBANKXXXXN}{4:
:20:ENERGY-RWA-202509
:79:Our client, , confirms availability of funds up to USD 12,500,000 for the shipment under contract CNTR-ENER-2025 and intends to follow with MT760. Full corporate documents and proof of funds are on file under AML ref 2025/ENG/334. This message is for operational coordination only.
Authorized signatory: CFO
}

Key documents

• Commodity sales contract (SPA)
• Proof-of-funds, bank statements, or comfort letter (as required)
• Corporate registration and beneficial ownership
• Environmental / export licences (where applicable)

Routing & compliance tips

• High-value commodity flows often route via major correspondent banks (JPMorgan, HSBC, DeutscheBank) — choose corridors with strong USD/EUR clearing.
• Sanctions checks are critical for energy flows; add extra lead time for enhanced due diligence.
• Reference SPA clauses and INCOTERMS to remove ambiguity over payment triggers.

3) Logistics & maritime (bills of lading, routing changes)

Common problem

Shipping delays, vessel diversions, or last-minute bill of lading amendments require swift, authenticated instructions to banks who are advising LCs or handling guarantees.

Typical MT199 narrative (Logistics)

{1:F01SENDERBANKXXXX}{2:I199RECEIVERBANKXXXXN}{4:
:20:LOG-RTE-202509
:79:Please be advised that the advising bank should accept the amended B/L details for LC ref MT700 20250820. Vessel: MV OCEAN STAR; new ETA: 2025-09-12. Cargo details and updated B/L number: BOL-2025-0456. Compliance documents on file under case LOG/2025/112.
Authorized Officer
}

Key documents

• Original/updated Bill of Lading
• LC copy and related MT references
• Freight forwarding instruction and manifest

Routing & compliance tips

• When amending shipping details, ensure the MT199 clearly references the LC and the B/L number to avoid mismatch rejections.
• Use MT199 to provide operational cut-off times or confirm acceptance of amended instructions.

4) Construction & infrastructure (milestone payments)

Common problem

Large infrastructure projects rely on staged payments tied to milestones. Banks and funders need authenticated confirmations that contractual conditions have been met and that funds will be available at the agreed tranche.

Typical MT199 narrative (Construction)

{1:F01SENDERBANKXXXX}{2:I199RECEIVERBANKXXXXN}{4:
:20:CONST-TRN-202509
:79:Our client confirms that, following certification of milestone 3 by the engineer (certificate no. ENG-2025-03), funds will be available for disbursement under project finance facility PF-2025-88. Related SWIFT: MT103 settlement and MT760 standby will follow where applicable. All certifications are on file under case PF/2025/88.
Authorized signatory
}

Key documents

• Engineer’s certification of milestone
• Project finance agreement and drawdown schedule
• Board resolutions and guarantor documentation

Routing & compliance tips

• Coordinate MT199 timing with certificate issuance to avoid premature disbursement requests.
• When projects span jurisdictions, attach clear legal opinions or references to governing law clauses.

5) Technology & high-value goods (electronics, IP-sensitive goods)

Common problem

High-value tech shipments often require proof of funds, escrow arrangements, or precise guarantee wording due to intellectual property and export control sensitivities.

Typical MT199 narrative (Technology)

{1:F01SENDERBANKXXXX}{2:I199RECEIVERBANKXXXXN}{4:
:20:TECH-POF-202509
:79:This MT199 confirms our client’s intent to provide Proof of Funds for the purchase order PO-2025-99. Bank comfort letter and escrow instructions are on file under case TECH/2025/99. Related SWIFT references: MT799 advisory and forthcoming MT760 standby.
Authorized officer
}

Key documents

• Purchase order and supplier contract
• Proof-of-funds or escrow agreement
• Export control declarations (where applicable)

Routing & compliance tips

• Escrow and escrow-bank communications often require tightly timed MT199s to align with commercial milestones.
• Ensure export control screening before routing MT199s for sensitive goods.

Sector comparison — when to use MT199 vs alternatives

Scenario	MT199	MT799 / MT760 / MT700
Quick operational note / RWA	Best — authenticated narrative	Not ideal — structured messages handle instruments
Proof of funds advisory	Ok for context & routing	MT799 commonly used for POF advisory; MT760 for actual standby
Bill of lading amendment	Good — references and routing	Follow with MT700 amendment where required
Milestone disbursement	Useful to summarise certification	Structured payment (MT103) or MT760 for guarantees

Sector-specific drafting checklist

• Always include: SWIFT refs, contract/PO ID, board resolution/LOI date, and internal compliance ref.
• Avoid: marketing language, ambiguous timeframes, implied payment promises.
• Confirm: correspondent bank acceptability for your corridor and currency.

Client story — from cocoa farm to European buyer

Background: A West African cocoa exporter contracted a European chocolatier for a large season shipment. The buyer required an SBLC. The exporter’s advising bank delayed LC acceptance due to unclear funding intent and fragmented paperwork.

Action: The buyer’s bank issued an MT199 pre-advice stating RWA and referencing the forthcoming MT760. The narrative included exact contract ID, cargo batch number, and phytosanitary certificate reference. The exporter’s advising bank used that MT199 to match documents and proceeded to accept the SBLC a day later.

Outcome: The clear MT199 saved five days of administrative hold-ups and avoided spoilage risk — the shipment sailed on schedule and both parties avoided price penalties.

10 Sector-focused FAQs

1. Can MT199 include attachments like certificates?
   No — reference documents in the narrative; provide them separately to the bank portal or secure email as required by the bank.
2. Should I use different language for agriculture vs energy?
   Yes — tailor narratives to include sector-specific document references (e.g., phytosanitary certificates, SPA, engineering certificates).
3. What if the correspondent bank asks for more details?
   Provide immediate supporting documents and consider re-issuing an amended MT199 with clarifications.
4. Can MT199 expedite customs clearance?
   Indirectly — by ensuring banks accept & advise LCs on time, MT199 reduces banking delays that can cascade into shipping and customs.
5. How to handle multiple banks across corridors?
   Include clear routing instructions and the names/SWIFTs of correspondent banks in the narrative if known.
6. Will MT199 reduce freight demurrage?
   Potentially — by reducing banking delays that prevent timely release of cargo.
7. What is the right timing to send MT199?
   Send it when documents are complete and at least one business day before key operational cut-offs.
8. Do banks accept MT199 for escrow confirmations?
   Yes — but escrow instructions often require detailed agreements; use MT199 for high-level confirmations only.
9. How to shorten turnaround during sanctions checks?
   Pre-submit enhanced due diligence and KYC documents to the bank so that the MT199 issuance is not held pending basic checks.
10. Who signs the MT199?
    Authorized bank officers sign the SWIFT message; ensure your board resolution or signatory mandate is clear.