SWIFT MT700 Field 44F and Its Relationship with UCP 600 Articles
Introduction
Field 44F (Port of Discharge / Airport of Destination) is optional in the MT700 under SWIFT SR2018, Category 7, formatted as 65x (narrative). It names the port or airport where the goods are to be discharged or which is the destination to be indicated on the transport document. UCP 600 governs how that port or airport must appear on the document and how the bank examines the presentation. The SWIFT field states the required destination; the UCP transport-document articles decide whether the document proves it.
Failure Modes
Failure Mode 1: Document shows a different discharge port
Under Article 14(d), a port on the document that disagrees with 44F is a discrepancy.
Failure Mode 2: Nominated document cannot evidence the destination
If 46A calls for a document type that does not show a port of discharge, 44F cannot be satisfied.
Failure Mode 3: 44F conflicts with 44E or 44B
A discharge port inconsistent with the loading port or final destination produces a contradictory route.
Failure Mode 4: MT701 restates 44F differently
A related MT701 must not conflict with the MT700; a divergent destination is a discrepancy.
Failure Mode 5: Destination omitted where the document requires it
Leaving 44F blank can leave the routing incomplete when the nominated document depends on a stated destination.
Resolution
- State 44F to name the exact port or airport the transport document must show.
- Select the transport document type in 46A that evidences that destination under its article.
- Reconcile 44F with 44E (loading) and 44B (final destination/delivery) for a coherent route.
- Examine the document's destination under Article 14(d).
- Confirm no related MT701 conflicts with 44F.
- Map the field to the applicable Article 20-28 rule.
- Record the article basis for the routing decision.
Conclusion
Field 44F names the destination point; Articles 20-28 and Article 14 decide whether the document proves it. The control is to ensure the nominated document shows the destination 44F requires and that it fits the wider routing. A credit is sound when 44F, the document type, and the other 44-series fields align.
FAQ
Which UCP articles govern 44F?
Articles 20-28, which prescribe the port-of-discharge or airport-of-destination requirement for each transport document, plus Article 14 for examination.
Must 44F always be used?
No. SWIFT marks it Optional, but a credit relying on a destination-specific document should state it to avoid ambiguity.
Can 44F and 44B name the same place?
They may coincide for port-to-door moves, but 44B covers final destination/delivery while 44F covers discharge; the documents must show the relationship clearly.
What if an MT701 repeats 44F with a different destination?
A related MT701 must not conflict with the MT700. A divergent destination is impermissible.
Does the applicant's preference override Article 14?
No. Article 14 sets the bank's document-alone examination standard.
Source Notes
- SWIFT SR2018, Category 7, MT700 field 44F (Optional, Option F, 65x narrative). Context only.
- UCP 600 Articles 20-28 and Article 14. Context only.
- MT700 usage rules on related MT701 content. Context only.
| Regulation | Article / Section | Requirement | Consequence |
|---|---|---|---|
| UCP 600 | Article 14 | Standard for Examination of Documents | Binary determination (compliant/discrepant) |
| UCP 600 | Article 20 | Bill of Lading | Binary determination (compliant/discrepant) |
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Quick Reference Summary
- No reference captured.
Compliance Checklist
| ✓ What Banks Expect | ✗ What Beneficiaries Often Do Wrong |
|---|---|
| Document shows a different discharge port | Under Article 14(d), a port on the document that disagrees with 44F is a discrepancy. |
| Nominated document cannot evidence the destination | If 46A calls for a document type that does not show a port of discharge, 44F cannot be satisfied. |
| 44F conflicts with 44E or 44B | A discharge port inconsistent with the loading port or final destination produces a contradictory... |
| MT701 restates 44F differently | A related MT701 must not conflict with the MT700; a divergent destination is a discrepancy. |
| Destination omitted where the document requires it | Leaving 44F blank can leave the routing incomplete when the nominated document depends on a state... |
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