Trade finance

Making trade finance cheaper and more accessible

The ICC Banking Commission is the largest commission at the ICC and is a leading global rule-making body for the trade finance industry. It produces universally accepted rules and guidelines for international banking practice.

These include documentary credits, forfaiting, demand guarantees, bank payment obligation and dispute resolution that help ensure access to finance and level the playing field.

ICC United Kingdom has a highly influential role at the Commission with representation at all levels and deep sector expertise.

Shaping frameworks

  • Ensure there is coordinated and effective leadership and UK expert input into the ICC Banking commission programme to shape international policy, standards and rules for trade finance and reduce the $2.7 trillion finance gap
  • Leverage the work of the Trade Digitalisation Taskforce – advocate for the implementation of recommendations to government on regulatory reform (Plan for Growth), trade digitalisation (Roadmap to Digitalise UK Trade), fraud prevention and streamlining KYC processes
  • Support the passage of the Digital Assets Bill through Parliament and into law

Implementing solutions

  • Leverage the International Centre for Digital Trade and Innovation, Tees Digital Trade Testbed and Corporate Digitalisation Taskforce to accelerate the pace and scale of trade digitalisation adoption
  • Leverage the Solution Providers Working Group to promote digital solutions and develop and deliver business tool and guides

Promoting international best practice

  • Deliver two trade finance conferences to promote best-in-class frameworks and market solutions:
    • best practice legal frameworks
    • end to end digital trade finance solutions – e-invoice financing through to digital supply chain finance and documentary trade
    • financial and physical supply chain integration
    • use cases and thought leadership
  • Deliver technical seminars/webinars/masterclasses to promote best practice use of technical rules and compliance practices, including Uniform Customs Practice, Uniform Rules on Digital Trade Transactions, disputes (Technical Opinions) and fraud prevention

Recent recommendations and reports

ICC United Kingdom has published a series of reports and recommendations, developed through the work of its Committees and Taskforces. These publications offer practical guidance, policy insights, and business-led solutions on key issues shaping global trade finance.

Plan for Growth

Roadmap to Digitalise UK Trade

Recommendations for Streamlining KYC Processes

Fraud Prevention Recommendations

Response to PRA on Basel 3 Regulations

Financial Inclusion Roadmap for Trade