NEWS OPINIONS 2025
TRANSFER FEE
26 FEB 2026
A DLC is advised as transferable to a PCT. The PCT advises the end buyer as per the offer made prior, the price of goods offered assumes the end buyer pays for the Transfer fee on the DLC being advised to the PCT. This is the expectation especially when a good price is apparent. The PCT must never pay for such a transfer fee as no refund policy is served should the deal collapse after the DLC transfer fee is paid. The current aspect requires that that the DLC cannot be transferred unless the fee is paid firs, and the TDLC can only be transferred once. This is important because it formally serves evidence that the fee came from the same account which identifies the buyer. The current transfer fee starting at 0.125% upwards can be expected on complex trade deal where the security aspect of a UCP endorsed DLC is in play. Different banks allow different transactions to attract lower fees; but first time transaction - expect the full amount payable on such fees. If at times a PCT is going to collect the TF from the supplier, as a security matter to ensure the DLC go directly to only the supplier, the price of goods can incorporate this fee as indicated on the contract. A bank overseas the financial side of the transaction and; as such plays an important role as an intermediary in overseeing this aspect as a matter of security. If goods cost the PCT let us say $1000.00 per MT FOB to buy from a supplier then the PCT must add 3.0% as an automatically applied minimum aspect to the FOB price to take care of ‘unexpected’ bank availing charges and expenses to do with late delivery. If the same goods being offered to a PCT costs let us say on average $1100.00 Per MT FOB, as per international prices and the PCT buy the goods he has secured for $1000.00 per MT FOB, it must add $30.00 to the sell price and perhaps another 3.0% for cascading commission /gross profit earnings.This means the goods are offered to the end buyer for @1060.00 Per MT FOB NBC. If the deal goes well the PCT should be able to collect around 5.0% average gross profit. If it goes awry; the 3.0% minimum aspect added after unexpected expenses were incurred , could still allow the PCT to earn ’something’ ones such expenses are paid. The PCT has to give a good deal (price) when selling secured products . A good deal is where the price offered to the end buyer still falls below the international price of goods being sold. To buy 100 MT of aluminium ingots will attract one price compared to buying 1000 MT of the sam product. This is the expectation of any large purchase deal. Even with international markets being dragged into TRUMP imbroglio, the UCP endorsed DLC and the many complying banks world wide offer the best and safest trade deal possible as it applies to the financial side.
ENGLISH LANGUAGE
23 Feb 2025
English language is the universal lanugage used by Pilots, Ships Captians, Customs, Air Traffic Controllers, Diplomates when deliving in International Trade matters . If a PCT speaks let us say Italian, and he/she has found a new international export ready supplier who does not speak english, but only Italian then the PCT has to apply the trade in italian between him and the supplier. The PCT then converts the deal from his postion into English. But it's a risky proposition because of matters to do with translation.English words and visa verse do not often translate to convey an effective legal aspect. The PCT could find a breach of contract eventuating quickly. As such , English is the universal business language. If you are buying or selling commodities, it must be conducted in the English language so that English law, and delivery /banking rules can be effectively and safely applied.
RARE MINERALS
25 Feb 2025
A PCT cannot buy and sell minerals as per a greenfield deal.Such involves the implementation of a greenfield investment project which are expensive projects to initate. The mine needs to be operational and the minerals needs to be ascertained and graded before a PCT is able to consider buying and selling such goods which rarely come our way.
PRE PAID FREIGHT
25 Feb 2025
Again let me provide another simple persepective on this one o complex issue that is still confusng many sellers /buyers: So the DLC on a CFR deal arrives in a bank located In Melbourne Australia, for the benefit of the seller FTNX. One of the documents that the bank will expect to sight is a BOL with the world ‘Pre Paid’ stamped on its form.This means the supplier has booked the ship and has provided RWA when doing so. It tells the carrier that his money for carriage of goods that has yet to been earned; is collectible and secured once the goods have been ‘physically’ delivered to POD. So delivery under incoterms is different in meaning to delivery of goods physically. In an advanced trading aspect ( highly skilled USCT members) if FTNX purchased goods at FOB to Melbourne first . The goods arrive and are warehoused. Then in Melbourne, FTNX books a ship at CIF with the demand being sought for a Shipowners BOL endorsement marked as Pre Paid, when selling such goods to an end buyer in smaller lots . The goods are loaded in Melbourne via the booked carrier after FTNX has first provided an RWA to the carrier . With the end buyer DLC already secured, FTNX simply advises BCL or other advice, locally to the local shipping company (agent) to verify with the our bank. This allows the pre paid stamp to be applied to the BOL as produced by FTNX to meet with the requirements of UCP banking rules. The goods are delivered to POD. Before the first line is secured at POD, a demand for the payment of freight will be advised to the end buyer. If the goods cost let us say $1000.00 at FOB, to be sent to Melbourne for storage, and the freight charge component is let us say $40.00 dollar per MT, after adding 7.0% for profits and expenses, the DLC from the end buyer would bear a value of US$1110.00 . FTNX would only collect as per the invoice and documents being presented to its bank the sum of $1070.00 per MT. This means the $40.00 quoted by FTNX per MT for carriage, remains in the account of the end buyer . The end buyer pays for the freight from this fund, because this is the rate quoted by FTNX.This is what the bank of FTNX will do; as per URC collection rules which require the BOL to be endorsed by a shipowner and not charter party and be clearly marked as ‘pre-paid’ as “ pre-paid’ by the end buyer to FTNX is the presumption.if the end buyer does not pay for freight, he will not be able to obtain title to the goods once they have been unloaded POD. If FTNX gave a CIF price to the end buyer where upon arriving the carrier demands; let us say $60.00 per MT for delivering the goods to the end buyer; FTNX upon receiving the invoice from the carrier ( via the end buyer) will immediately transfer the differential from its gross profit, to the account of the end buyer. Pre-paid simply means the carrier is assured payment for carriage if goods once it arrived a POD, it does not means the carrier has been paid for carriage by the seller/supplier before loading commenced as the carrier ‘has to earn freight’ by completing the delivery to POD. Whatever nonsense you have seen online; the above scenario provides a clearly defined example of a confusing aspect of trade to do with carriage. This is why a UCP endorsed DLC is used. It protects everyone involved in the deal. FTNX can only buy secured goods from the supplier and sell to the end buyer.This is assured because the BOL is marked on the margin to the end buyer; meanin– the title to the goods can not be sold in a never ending ( risk laden) string dea.The goods have to go directly to the end buyer .If the end buyer wants to on sell such goods then the end buyer has to initiate a fresh new set of proceedings.
CRUDE OIL HYPOCRISY
27 Feb 2025
The Oil tanker chartered by Chevron being loaded at the Bajo Grande Oil terminal at Maracaibo Lake, Venezuela, went straight to the USA under Biden. Under Trump the ‘deal-maker’ this week had announced that he will be reversing the oil concession to Chevron, while a PCT obeying westerns sanction attempting to trade on such oil would be charged with a crime. This is the current state of affairs the USA Government under MUSK and there ‘deal maker ‘ Trump who can close only any deal so long as it closed his way regardless of legality, rules and laws - because Trump is a rwlayly big ‘deal maker.’ Yeah! Look what he has done in Ukraine. He accepted a mineral deal in an effort to recoup the cost of supporting Ukraine battling with Russia. Under this aspect USA must owe Trillions to a lot of countries that came to its support during troubling times, in the last 70 years. A mineral deal where USA has to spend money to develop a mine located in territority currently held by Russia, that does not produce a lot of end product. Brilliant Trump. What a coupe! Wow! This is how deals are made. This is how Trumps is going to end the war in Ukraine. Americans need to be wary and the bear the idea that if Putin and China decided on a pre empted nuclear attack on the USA, right at this very moment, the USA may be unable to respond because nuclear technicians were sacked last week. Trump and Musk has placed the world in a very precarious situation; and it is the PCT who needs to be careful in ensuring we obey the law.It seems 'no level playing feild' is apparent anymore.Luckily the FTNX doctrine protects the PCT from being scammed or intimidated.
USD TO EURO
17 APRIL 2025
A PCT who has traded for a few years and has the experience to do away with the USD based currency can use Euro to buy and sell commodities. This is a very important aspect as TRUMP is converting the US economy to that of a third world country. If USD$ is still be used, then for the first time ever , the DLC being issued by a leading bank MUST also be advised as confirmed, which means there is no trust in the US presidency or its currency, and that matters to do with banking might become his next target of destruction without notice. Trump has the God complex and is deemed dangerous to world trade. Business is business-if a PCT secure a long term supply of goods on a revolving basis, then the buyer has to advise a confirmed credit only pdf payment is by USD$ . Doing business with China is a far better aspect than doing business win America at this time as the Chinese buyer advising a DLC from a leading Chinese bank can do so without having the credit confirmed. We were all worried about Russia and China , when it is the USA that has caused so many people around the world to becomes wary of doing business in the America . FTNX trusts President Xi of China and not longer can trust the dishonourable President of the USA. Many traders I have spoken with including many from the USA agree that Trump is an idiot , mentally deficient, and a fool who simply cannot be trusted. As noted by our prime minster yesterday ( Australia) the Australian Government has completed many deals with China in 2025 all of which were closed without any issues.I would have not said as much ten year ago. How thew scenario changed so quickly thanks the belligerency and toxic nature of the people Trump has selected to run the US Government.. This mistrust is now wrongly spreading to all Industries in the USA.The supplier MUST offer the quote or offer in EURO when assuring supply, this way no issues as to currency fluctuation is apparent. Likewise if any other currency is used, the goods must be offered in that currency.The only acceptance to to rule is that an offer bearing USD is allowed to be converted to Euro by the PCT in where a mitigation factor is allowed to be applied to the USD$ to ensure the Euro does not amass any great differential due to the Euro currency fluctuating.
Example: Copper Cathodes for US$ 8500.00 per MT FCA plus or minus 2.0% = USD$ 170.00 per MT before tracked prices change. This includes all profits / expenses. Once a tracked price breaches the mitigation factor, a new price for the next delivery is applied.If the PCT is converting US$ 8500.00 USD$ to Euro, add the 2.0% mitigation factor to the USD$ value before converting to Euro.This means the PCT gets the DLC bearing a USD$ value in its account where upon transfer he instructs his bank to pay the supplier in Euro; the conversion to Euro then takes place. However for long delivery periods it’s best to also make large revolving offers bearing USD$ buy price into smaller lots .E.g: We can supply you Copper Cathodes 1000 MT per months for 12 months at 3X3x3x3 delivery schedule which defines that prices are revised every 3 months and that the seller has the right to cancel the contract without penalty and consequences should the USD currency suffer a financially adverse and unforeseeable effect upon the purchase of goods offered. Buy asking for payment in Euro ( or other trusted currencies) from the very start, a lot of adverse issues will be avoided. Other currencies like CHF , BPD or even the Renminbi would not need the credit to be confirmed if a top 150 bank is advising the DLC.This now means the credit is opened for 3 months worth of delivery even though a 12 month contract is run effect and that; the buyer must issue another credit bearing 3 months delivery upon the second shipment being delivered. As the supplier faces such effect, so does the end buyer bear such effects..if USD$ is being used. Where new recent applicants are trading , such remains with the USD$ as per doctrine, until experience is gained , in where the 3X3X3X3 /12 months aspect is apparent for long revolving deals.
ILL IFORMED TRADERS
18 APRIL 2025
A number of ill inmformed traders form Sth America have sent me ICPO, BCL, TT type of dumbo procedures for fake goods this week. These traders rmust have been locked in some kind of time warp. These traders are still around and do pop up from time to time, until they corss paths with a informned FTN exporting trader. As such, all PCT be on the alert for such scam deals which reappear every now and then. These stupid traders could not even be bothererd to conduct due diligence on FTNX or check our websites- because if they did they would have not sent such unworkable deals to a leading educator and trader.
END BUYERS INTENT
14 July 2025
The end buyer seeking to buy goods from the PCT must produce a ‘bank issued DLC’ applying an ‘at sight’ collection application. A credit worthy buyer who is not liquid may seek the issuance of an ‘at sight’ DLC as ‘bank’ loan. If a buyer cannot raise a DLC this means that they do not have a cash to back the DLC , nor are they considered to be credit worthy customers of their own banks; is the simplest assumption drawn.The PCT must instruct the end buyer that a DLC is sought form the very start before an offer is advised is the standing aspect now added to the doctrine.The supplier is also advised that other currencies instead of USD$ is allowed and that the currency the suppliers seeks is the currency used in trade.If the supplier asks for/ seeks EURO, then the end buyer pays in Euro as well.
FTNX AFRICA
19 July 2025
FTN Exporting is forming a string consisiting of PCT’s from Africa in the 2025/26 trading period as new members form Africa come on board. Currently the best PCT’s are those from Canada followed secondly by those from Africa. This is the first time FTNX is concentrating it efforts to form such a string and is the last string deal before FTNX retires from trading in late 2026 to finish it's investment project zehedbike.
FTNX OUTSIDERS
5 AUGUST 2025
TRIBE 2024/25 makes it clear that outsiders may conjoin on a single deal with a USCT members; this also means if ‘one supplier ‘ who currently has no stock, informs a USCT member or directs a USCT member towards another supplier who does have wanted stock; the first supplier also formS a part of the IPG aspect and is paid a commission - should the information or efforts made lead to the closing of a successful transaction. The USCT member must confer the same level of protection to an ‘outsider’ they allow attachment to a deal , as they would to any USCT member. The big difference is that the ‘outsider’ only has TRIBE rules as references that should be studied, before an outsider surrenders any viable information to a USCT member ; who is heading a deal as a Buyer/Seller or is acting as a PI for their disclosed principal–which may often lead to FTNX doing the closing. The USCT member only allows an outsider attachment to a sting deal, on a deal to deal basis and that an outsider cannot hold a position of a P.A or PCT who is acting as the Principal, unless stated otherwise i.e: A person holding wanted export ready supply of goods, who is deemed an outsider cannot direct other USCT member to do ‘his bidding.’ In essence however if information is served to a USCT member, by an outsider ‘stepping back ‘ which in turn bears positive results in the ‘surrendering’ process; the outsider is deemed a ISS member, as is treated accordingly; within the string, and only while the deal remains live. An outsider cannot represent FTNX nor a USCT member, ‘all because they were a part of a string once.’ This understanding must in place with the outsider, as USCT member do not trade, or avoid trading with ‘’outsiders" is the general perspectives-limited to only the exception being made, as specified above. Likewise if an end buyer who does not currently need more stock, serves information about a potential end buyer who does; the first end buyer is made a ISS string member and receives the appropriate share of commission. Outsider come in many forms- the ICPO, LOI, NCNDA, BCL king of 'outsider; have nothing to offer, and are the kind of trader that are shunned by the PCT.
TRIBE Rules of Association 2025: PREAMBLE
- Outsiders and ill-informed traders may ONLY become ‘attached’ to a ‘group’ and ONLY for the ‘deal in hand’ being considered, If ‘information’ provided is deemed ‘viable’ and in where the ‘Outsider’ is prepared to follow directions served by the P.A and ‘Step Back’ while doing so.
- A PCT inviting an outsider to participate in a string transaction is vouching for the outsider, and bears responsibilities of the outsider and consequences therein
GOOD QUESTION
9 August 2025
You can ask AI anything; but without personal experience being in play, the answer served can only at best be deemed as being pusillanimous
Q: Is it better to meet the supplier and have the hardcopy contract signed at such a time?
A: It’s a good question. They soft answer is “Yes.” However, serving a direct answer to direct question can sometimes serve the wrong impression - in effect; it could lead to the PCT forking out large amounts of money, to accommodate such a deal which ultimately leads to no deal. FTNX has been invited to many countries to close on large deals , but due to health issues could not attendpersonally on such potential business. If you are fit, and do not have family concerns, and you are well funded and financially stable , then sure, meeting with suppliers in their ‘safe’ country is a good approach; but NOT to secure supply, but only when a deal is closing. To meet with suppliers often, to secure supply, for years on end , is going to cost you a lot of money; because ‘entertaining the host’ ( or being entertained) is also part of the expenses that a PCT could face - in meeting with suppliers in another country, for goods being assured or offered in one hand, that may not be available the moment the PCT boards a plane home. “I could write a book on such events alone. These are the kind of experience AI cannot compete with.” To meet the supplier on mutual ground like a Zurich bank ( confirmed in advance) where Bankers follow instructions to do with banking matters as directed by parties to the contract. A Letter of credit in exchange for hardcopy documents can be safely conducted, and in some cases the DLC can be actually collected upon there and then as the parties will have access via the chosen bank access to the SWIFT process. Merchant banks in Europe will take your passport as you enter a protected business environment to conclude on a commodity or gold transaction. FTNX has directed others string member to meet the supplier in another country; all visits were a wasted effort, that FTNX stopped the practice decades ago. The security feature of the DLC and of the documents as well as a time needed to conclude on a deal; meeting with the supplier today has far less importance than decades ago , before the internet came to be. Hardcopy documents sent by courier post and fax machines is still the superior application, even though some short sighted countries like Australia has got rid of the strong safe use of the fax machine all together, to favour digital telecommunications aspects that are prone to constant attacks and hacks and lack of privacy. For a PCT working from the safety of their own country– is the preferred trading aspect.
PAYMENT AT THE "COUNTER" OF A BANK
15 August 2025
So a PCT in England has secured goods from a supplier in Europe and sold those goods to an end buyer in Sth Korea. The buyer had issued the DLC to the PCT in England not to his account but to the counter of the corresponding bank of the end buyer also found in England i.e HSBC. The bank notified the PCT that a DLC in his name has arrived at the counter, and awaits instructions from the PCT who must contact the bank and serve instructions within 5 banking days. The PCT went to the bank not far away, and after producing formal ID had a copy of the DLC is released to him/her.The PCT instructed the bank to transfer the DLC as per a stated value offered to the supplier.The transfer fee was served by the end buyer ( unless TF was arranged with the supplier ) The PCT produced the documents from the supplier and changes his invoice to reflect the end buyer price. The PCT then went to the corresponding bank personally after making an appointment to have collection proceedings concluded at the corresponding bank. Original transport documents are produced, the at sight examination was successful.The supplier makes a collection; and the remaining difference is paid to the PCT as a cheque or transfer to his account. So the physical presence can be applied when a (a) confirmed credit is apparent for the instant collection process ; (b) or within 5 banking days for a transferable credit process. This is what is meant when the term “payment advised” at the 'counter' of a corresponding bank. In other words words if the PCT for whatever reason ( i.e buyer does not trust to do business unless its protected by its own bank) is unable to use their bank account, the payment ‘at the counter of a nominated bank’ can be tried and applied for; especially when well known large banks are involved. The confirmed credit that is not transferable, meaning the buyer did not want to advise a transferable credit but a confirmed credit, allows the PCT to finalise the business there and then at the corresponding bank which is the confirming bank well.This aspect is the way a PCT can apply the virtues of a personalised deal, when they simply unable to secure a transferable credit, but a credit which is not transferable. When the PCT is unable to secure a transferable DLC, the conformed credit MUST be secured instead. Once secured, the PCT can produce a corporate DLC from its office and advise it in hardcopy to the supplier. The supplier will ask its bank to conduct due diligence on the credit to see if it bears RWA status. Once the supplier obtains a positive reply, documents are then produced and sent to the PCT via hardcopy courier. The PCT changes the invoice and arrives at the corresponding bank ready to apply the closing process at the corresponding bank. The bank closes on the collection value there and then. Only a PCT who has had a years worth of experience or more and is very confident in using the doctrine can try variable applications also sometimes known as ‘advances trading applications’ otherwise– the standard TDLC application is the preferred application. The PCT has to know how to develop a routine and schedule intently to apply such personalised dealings; the kind of dealing that may prevail when the standard aspect did not satisfy the buyer's intent.
