Quick answer
Most LC “rejections” are not about the goods — they’re about document mismatch or late presentation. If you run a pre-check workflow, you can prevent most discrepancies before the bank exam.
If you want the full LC overview first: /resources/what-is-letter-of-credit
The 5 most common LC discrepancies (and what to check)
1) Party name/address mismatch
What triggers it:
- Applicant/beneficiary/consignee names differ across LC text, invoice, BL/AWB, certificate of origin.
Prevent it:
- Lock party master data once and generate every document from that source.
2) Description / quantity / unit mismatch
What triggers it:
- Invoice says “100 cartons”, packing list says “98 cartons”.
- LC asks for a description format you don’t use in the real invoice template.
Prevent it:
- Standardize SKU descriptions and units of measure; avoid manual edits inside PDFs.
3) Transport document clause mismatch (BL/AWB)
What triggers it:
- LC requires on-board notations, named ports, transshipment restrictions, or consignee wording that the carrier/forwarder won’t issue.
Prevent it:
- Validate the BL/AWB clause against your forwarder’s actual document format before issuance.
Related: /glossary/bill-of-lading
4) Date and deadline failures
What triggers it:
- Shipment date after “latest shipment date”.
- Presentation after the presentation period or after expiry.
Prevent it:
- Track latest shipment date + expiry + presentation deadline from day one.
Related: /resources/track-letter-of-credit-expiry
5) Missing or wrong certificate (COO / inspection / insurance)
What triggers it:
- Wrong issuer, wrong wording, or missing certificate the LC demands.
Prevent it:
- Keep a checklist per corridor/product and only accept certificate requirements you can actually produce.
Pre-check workflow (the fastest way to reduce discrepancies)
Run this before presentation:
- Compare the LC text to your real document templates.
- Verify party names/addresses match the LC exactly.
- Reconcile invoice vs packing list quantities/weights/units.
- Check BL/AWB clause feasibility with the forwarder.
- Confirm all deadlines are still achievable.
What to do when a discrepancy happens
Discrepancies don’t always mean “no payment”, but they do mean risk and delay. Your options usually are:
- fix documents (if possible),
- request an amendment, or
- request a waiver from the applicant/buyer (bank process varies).
Next: /resources/lc-discrepancies-amendments
How Tijara helps
Tijara keeps the LC, documents, and deadlines connected to the same deal timeline, so your team can pre-check before banks do.