MT700 Field 42C: When the Draft Tenor Contradicts Other Fields

Introduction

Field 42C carries the tenor of the draft in an MT700. It does not stand alone: SWIFT network rule C3 restricts which availability fields may co-occur. When 42C appears in a combination the rules forbid, or when its tenor conflicts with another availability field, the credit is internally inconsistent and cannot be advised or honoured as written.

Failure Mode Analysis

Failure Mode 1: 42C paired with 42M

A draft tenor is placed in 42C while 42M (Mixed Payment Details) is also present. Rule C3 forbids this combination (C90).

Failure Mode 2: 42C paired with 42P

Field 42C coexists with 42P (Negotiation/Deferred Payment Details). This is outside the permitted set and triggers C90.

Failure Mode 3: 42C without 42a

A tenor is given in 42C but no drawee is supplied in 42a. Under C3, 42C is only permitted together with 42a, so the pair is incomplete.

Failure Mode 4: Tenor in 42C conflicts with the stated availability method

The credit states availability by deferred payment in narrative, yet 42C expresses a sight draft, producing a tenor mismatch.

Failure Mode 5: Shipment date (44C) and draft tenor jointly impossible

Where 44C (Latest Date of Shipment) coexists with a draft tenor that cannot be met given presentation timing, the fields describe an unperformable obligation.

Deterministic Resolution Architecture

1. Identify the chosen availability method from the credit structure.
2. If drafts are used, populate 42C and 42a together and omit 42M and 42P.
3. If mixed payment applies, use 42M alone and omit 42C and 42P.
4. If negotiation or deferred payment applies, use 42P alone and omit 42C.
5. Run rule C3 validation to clear error C90 before submission.
6. Run rule C4 to ensure only one of 44C or 44D is present (clear D06).
7. Confirm the 42C tenor matches the stated availability method under Article 6.
8. Reconcile the draft tenor with the latest shipment date and presentation period.
9. Record the single permitted availability combination for examination and amendment tracking.

Conclusion

Field 42C is only valid inside the availability combination permitted by rule C3. It must appear with 42a and without 42M or 42P. When the tenor in 42C diverges from the stated availability method or from the 44-series date fields, the credit is self-contradictory under Article 6. The cure is to select one availability structure and populate only its fields.

FAQ

Can 42C and 42M appear in the same MT700?
No. Rule C3 permits only one availability combination; 42C with 42M triggers C90.

Is 42C valid on its own?
No. Under C3, 42C must appear together with 42a.

What does error C90 mean?
C90 flags a forbidden combination of availability fields (42C/42a vs 42M vs 42P).

Does 42C interact with 44C or 44D?
Indirectly. Rule C4 requires only one of 44C or 44D, and the chosen date must be consistent with the 42C tenor.

Can an MT701 repeat the 42C tenor?
No. Information in a designated MT700 field must not be repeated in any related MT701.

What if the credit is available by negotiation?
Use 42P alone; 42C is not the controlling tenor field in that structure.

Source Notes

• Context only: SWIFT SR2018 Category 7, MT700 field 42C and network rules C3 (C90), C4 (D06).
• Context only: UCP 600 Articles 6 (Availability), 10 (Amendments), 7–8 (Issuing/Confirming Bank Undertakings).