ISBP 745: Partial Shipment Quantities

Introduction

Partial shipment quantities under documentary credits require precise documentation. When a credit permits partial shipments, each consignment must be documented with accurate quantities that are consistent across all related documents. ISBP 745 and UCP 600 establish the rules governing how quantities must be reflected on invoices, transport documents, packing lists, and other quantity-bearing documents. Inconsistencies between the quantity shown on the invoice and the quantity on the transport document, or between the cumulative partial shipment quantities and the total credit quantity, create discrepancies that delay payment. This guide addresses the specific quantity requirements for partial shipments.

Failure Mode Analysis

FM1: Invoice Shows Total Credit Quantity for Partial Shipment

The credit is for 1,000 metric tons. The beneficiary ships 300 metric tons in the first consignment. The invoice shows "1,000 metric tons." This creates a discrepancy because the invoice quantity (1,000) does not match the transport document quantity (300).

FM2: Transport Document Shows Different Quantity Than Invoice

The invoice shows 300 metric tons, but the bill of lading shows 280 metric tons. The quantities conflict. Under ISBP 745 A2, data across documents must not conflict. This is a discrepancy.

FM3: Cumulative Partial Shipment Quantities Exceed Total Credit Quantity

Three partial shipments of 350, 350, and 350 metric tons are made under a credit for 1,000 metric tons. The cumulative total (1,050) exceeds the credit amount by 5%. If the credit does not include "about" or "approximately" language, this is a discrepancy.

FM4: Partial Shipment Quantity Below Minimum Required

The credit specifies a minimum of 200 metric tons per shipment. The beneficiary ships 150 metric tons in a partial shipment. This violates the credit's minimum quantity requirement.

FM5: Packing List Quantity Mismatches Invoice and Transport Document

The invoice shows 300 metric tons, the bill of lading shows 300 metric tons, but the packing list shows 320 metric tons. The packing list conflict is a discrepancy under ISBP 745 A2.

Deterministic Resolution Architecture

Step 1: Determine Whether Partial Shipments Are Permitted

Read the credit for partial shipment language:
- "Partial shipments allowed" or silent: permitted.
- "Partial shipments not allowed" or "partial shipments prohibited": not permitted.

Step 2: If Partial Shipments Are Prohibited, Verify Single Shipment

Confirm all goods are shipped in one consignment under a single transport document.

Step 3: If Partial Shipments Are Permitted, Map Each Consignment

For each partial shipment:
- Identify the invoice and its quantity.
- Identify the transport document and its quantity.
- Identify the packing list and its quantity.
- Identify any other quantity-bearing documents.

Step 4: Cross-Reference Quantities Across Documents

For each consignment, verify:
- Invoice quantity = Transport document quantity.
- Packing list quantity = Transport document quantity.
- Weight certificates or inspection reports match the transport document quantity.

Step 5: Calculate Cumulative Quantities

Sum the quantities from all partial shipment invoices. Compare the total against the credit quantity:
- If the credit includes "about" or "approximately," a 10% tolerance applies (ISBP 745 B12).
- If the credit specifies an exact quantity, the cumulative total must match (subject to any stated tolerance).

Step 6: Verify Each Partial Shipment Meets Minimum/Maximum Requirements

If the credit specifies a minimum or maximum quantity per partial shipment, verify each consignment falls within the range.

Step 7: Issue the Refusal Notice

If any quantity discrepancy is found:
- State: "Invoice shows [X] but transport document shows [Y], contrary to ISBP 745 B11."
- Or: "Cumulative partial shipment quantities of [X] exceed the credit quantity of [Y]."

Conclusion

Partial shipment quantities require meticulous cross-referencing across all documents. The invoice, transport document, packing list, and any other quantity-bearing documents must show consistent quantities for each consignment. The cumulative total across all partial shipments must satisfy the credit's quantity requirement. ISBP 745 B11 and B12 provide the governing standards.

FAQ

Q1: Can the beneficiary ship different quantities in each partial shipment?

Yes, if partial shipments are permitted and the credit does not specify fixed quantities per shipment. The beneficiary has discretion over the quantity of each consignment, provided cumulative totals comply with the credit.

Q2: Does the 5% tolerance in UCP 600 Art 30(a) apply to quantity?

No. Art 30(a) applies to the amount (value) of the credit, not to the quantity of goods. Quantity tolerances are governed by ISBP 745 B12 ("about" or "approximately") or by specific credit terms.

Q3: What if the credit states "in about 1,000 metric tons"?

"About" triggers the 10% tolerance under ISBP 745 B12. The cumulative quantity must be between 900 and 1,100 metric tons. Each partial shipment must also fall within the tolerance.

Q4: Can the bank refuse documents if the packing list quantity differs from the invoice by a small amount?

Yes. ISBP 745 A2 requires that data across documents must not conflict. Any difference in quantity between the packing list and the invoice, regardless of how small, is a discrepancy.

Q5: Does the tolerance apply to each partial shipment individually or to the cumulative total?

The 10% tolerance under B12 applies to the quantity stated in the credit. If the credit states "about 1,000 metric tons," each partial shipment must also fall within the tolerance of the specified quantity, and the cumulative total must fall within the tolerance as well.

Source Notes

Context only — no direct article text was extracted from these sources during research:

• ICC Academy — A Guide to Types of Documentary Credit (ICC Academy, 2024)
• ICC Academy — 11 Questions That Will Help You Master Documentary Credits (ICC Academy, 2024)
• ICC Academy — Certified UCP 600 Specialist (CUCP) (ICC Academy, 2025)
• ICC — Commentary on UCP 600 (International Chamber of Commerce, 2019)
• ICC — UCP 600 Including eUCP Version 2.1 (International Chamber of Commerce, 2023)