What is
Cash Against Documents?
Cash Against Documents (CAD) is a payment method in international trade where the exporter ships goods and sends shipping documents to a bank in the buyer’s country. The bank releases these documents to the buyer only upon receipt of payment. This provides exporters with some security that payment will be made before the buyer can claim the goods.
CAD offers a middle ground between the security of letters of credit and the simplicity of open account terms. It ensures that the buyer cannot take possession of the goods without paying, while being simpler and less expensive than letter of credit arrangements.
Documentary collection
process managed by banks
Shipping documents
including bill of lading, commercial invoice, packing list
Presenting bank
in buyer's country handles document presentation
Payment requirement
before document release to buyer
Title retention
through negotiable bill of lading until payment
Bank intermediation
without payment guarantee
Lower cost
compared to letters of credit
Sight payment
typically required upon document presentation