MT750 — Advice of Discrepancy
The discrepancy notice. When the negotiating bank detects anomalies in documents presented by the beneficiary, it alerts the issuing bank to decide the payment outcome: refusal, payment under reserve, or document return.
Purpose
UCP 600 article 14 imposes on the negotiating bank a reasonable examination of documents: verify they comply on their face with credit terms. Any non-compliance is a discrepancy, and article 16 requires a single, complete notice no later than 5 banking days after receipt. MT750 serves this role.
MT750 lists detected discrepancies (in a structured numbered text in :73:),
states that documents are held at the negotiating bank's counters at the applicant's
disposal, and asks the issuing bank for next steps: waive with the applicant,
authorise a payment under reserve, or refuse the credit.
Tag structure
:20:MT750 reference.:21:Originating MT700 credit reference.:32B:Face amount of presented documents.:71B:Discrepancy code (typically DSC).:73:Discrepancy description — numbered narrative of detected discrepancies.:77J:Reimbursement — instructions on document disposition and expected response.
Key tags
| Tag | Name | Usage |
|---|---|---|
:20: | Sender's Reference | Unique MT750 reference. |
:21: | DC Number | Originating MT700 reference. |
:32B: | Principal Amount | Presented document amount. |
:71B: | Reason for Charges | DSC (discrepancy), standard code. |
:73: | Discrepancies | Structured text: each discrepancy numbered, precisely worded (citing the MT700 tag + observation). |
:77J: | Disposition of Documents | Document status and expected issuing-bank action. |
Real-world example
Documents presented by Guangzhou Textile Exports on 20 July 2026 at ICBC Beijing. ICBC detects 4 discrepancies and alerts BNP Paribas for decision:
{1:F01ICBKCNBJAXXX0000000000}{2:I750BNPAFRPPAXXXN}{3:{108:DSC20260720001}}{4:
:20:DSC20260720001
:21:LC20260515001
:32B:USD150000,00
:71B:DSC
:73:1. B/L SHOWS PARTIAL SHIPMENT WHEREAS PARTIAL SHIPMENT
NOT ALLOWED
2. INSURANCE POLICY VALUE USD 160000 INSTEAD OF
USD 165000 REQUIRED (110 PCT OF USD 150000)
3. CERTIFICATE OF ORIGIN ISSUED BY GUANGZHOU COC
NOT BY CCPIT AS REQUIRED
4. PRESENTATION ON 21 JUL 2026, EXCEEDING 21 DAYS
AFTER SHIPMENT DATE OF 28 JUN 2026
:77J:DOCUMENTS HELD AT OUR COUNTERS AT YOUR DISPOSAL
PENDING YOUR INSTRUCTIONS
PLEASE ADVISE BY MT799 WHETHER YOU AUTHORIZE PAYMENT
AGAINST RESERVES OR WHETHER WE SHOULD RETURN
THE DOCUMENTS TO BENEFICIARY
-}- Discrepancy 1: B/L shows partial shipment whereas
:43P:NOT ALLOWEDin the credit. - Discrepancy 2: insurance policy for USD 160,000 instead of USD 165,000 required (110% of 150,000).
- Discrepancy 3: certificate of origin issued by Guangzhou Chamber of Commerce instead of CCPIT as required.
- Discrepancy 4: presentation 21 days after shipment date.
:77J:— documents held at BNP's disposal, MT799 reply requested.
Common pitfalls
- Missed 5-banking-day deadline — UCP 600 art. 14b: the negotiating bank loses the right to refuse documents if MT750 is sent after 5 banking days. Maximum care on dating.
- Multiple notices — UCP 600 art. 16c forbids partial then supplementary notices. One complete notice, or none.
- Vaguely worded discrepancy — "documents not in order" is not a valid discrepancy. Cite the precise tag/document, expected vs observed.
- Unheld documents — if the negotiating bank returns documents to the beneficiary before the issuing bank decides, it forecloses any later claim.
- Payment-under-reserve confusion — the against reserves wording must be explicit in
:77J:. Without it, the issuing bank may interpret as full refusal.