2022-06-07
The Central Bank of Libya issued Circular Letter No. 77/2015 to mandate that all commercial banks issuing standby letters of credit for peaceful imports must require a Proof of Shipment certificate from a specialized international inspection company. The circular clarifies that this inspection verifies document validity and confirms the physical existence of goods transported on named vessels, while permitting banks to verify shipments electronically via carrier websites using bill of lading or container numbers. By enforcing these documentation and verification standards, the regulator aims to safeguard public interest and preserve Libya’s foreign exchange reserves.
Central Bank of Libya P.O. Box 1103 | Telegram Address: Misrifya - Tripoli - Libya
Reference: ARM/N 804 Circular Letter No. ARM/N (2015/77) Date: 12 Ramadan 1436 AH Corresponding to: June 29, 2015 AD
To the Chairmen of the Interim Administrative Committees of Commercial Banks, To the General Managers - Commercial Banks, To the General Manager - Libyan Foreign Bank
Greetings,
Referring to Circular ARM/N No. (2015/3) issued on April 30, 2015, through which Governor's Decision No. (96) of 2015 was circulated, establishing regulations governing the use of foreign exchange.
And referring to Article 4 of the aforementioned decision, regarding the necessity for all banks operating in issuing standby letters of credit (LCs) for peaceful import purposes from abroad to add the condition of providing a certificate issued by an international inspection company on supplied goods, as part of the standby LC issuance terms. This is based on a Ministry of Economy letter dated March 26, 2015, proposing a set of regulations governing standby LC issuance, including requiring an inspection certificate issued by a specialized international inspection company among the documents stipulated upon opening standby LCs.
We clarify that the required inspection pertains to the indication and validity of documents, confirming the existence of a shipment, and verifying matching data to prove the shipment described in the documents, known as Proof of Shipment. This means a shipment transported on a named vessel with a real bill of lading number, known loading and unloading bills, and verifiable physical source and receiver names (Proof of Shipment).
Since international shipping lines or carriers allow access to their databases via the carrier's website, obtaining data indicating documents for proof of shipment by entering the bill of lading or container number, banks can verify the existence of the shipment described in the documents through this method, considering that information is already available on international shipping line websites.
The Central Bank of Libya reiterates the necessity for all concerned parties to comply and ensure the supply of goods for which standby LCs were opened and foreign exchange was transferred, in the public interest and to preserve the people's foreign exchange reserves.
Peace, mercy, and blessings of God be upon you, "Abdel Magid Mohamed Al-Maqouri" Director of the Banking and Currency Supervision Department / Acting Governor
Copies to:
M.A. / 1 . / 2 / Circular / 12/2014
www.cbl.gov.ly | swift code: CBLJLYLX | Fax: +218 21 444 1488 | Phone: +218 21 333 3591