Logistics & Incoterms
Port selection, freight advisory, vessel nominations, and full Incoterms 2020 compliance on every consignment.
Quality Oversight
SGS S.A. and Bureau Veritas coordination for pre-shipment inspection, producing mandatory COQ and COW documents.
Trade Finance Advisory
Letter of Credit structuring under UCP 600, SBLC advisory, and documentary collection guidance under URC 522.
Freight Coordination & Delivery Term Compliance
Stratos coordinates freight logistics for every facilitated transaction, working with vessel operators, freight forwarders, port agents, and customs brokers to ensure seamless physical delivery. All transactions are executed under a clearly defined Incoterm from the ICC Incoterms® 2020 rulebook, as agreed and specified within the Sales and Purchase Agreement.
The selected Incoterm determines the precise point of risk transfer, insurance obligation, freight responsibility, and export/import clearance duty between seller and buyer. Stratos advises both parties on the appropriate Incoterm for their transaction structure, vessel type, and destination port requirements.
Vessel nominations and Laycan management for bulk consignments
Container FCL/LCL booking for smaller parcel shipments
Export customs documentation and phytosanitary coordination
Real-time vessel tracking via AIS (MarineTraffic integration)
Incoterms® 2020 — Facilitated Terms
Source: ICC Incoterms® 2020. The applicable Incoterm for each transaction is specified in the Sales and Purchase Agreement (SPA) and must be stated in the Letter of Credit field 45A (Description of Goods).
SGS & Bureau Veritas — Independent Inspection
Stratos does not rely on seller-provided quality certificates. Every facilitated consignment undergoes pre-shipment inspection by an independent, internationally accredited inspection company — either SGS S.A. (Société Générale de Surveillance) or Bureau Veritas (BV) — appointed jointly by both parties and specified in the SPA.
Weight Verification
Gross and net weight determined at loading port using calibrated weighbridge or draft survey methodology. Results documented in Certificate of Weight (COW), referencing the applicable ASTM or ISO weighing standard.
Quality Analysis
Samples drawn at point of loading per applicable ASTM, ISO, or ICUMSA sampling protocols. Analysed by accredited laboratory. Results documented in Certificate of Quality (COQ) against SPA-specified parameters.
Loading Supervision
The Nominated Inspection Company supervisor oversees the physical loading onto the nominated vessel, confirming that goods loaded match inspected samples and that vessel holds meet cargo-appropriate cleanliness standards.
Radiation Clearance
All metallic consignments are scanned for radioactive contamination using calibrated radiation detection equipment. A Radiation Clearance Certificate (RCC) is issued upon passing and constitutes a mandatory L/C presentation document on all metal transactions.
Standard Inspection Documents
Certificate of Quality (COQ)
Laboratory analysis vs. SPA specifications
Certificate of Weight (COW)
Weighbridge or draft survey result
Loading Supervision Report
Inspector-signed confirmation of vessel loading
Radiation Clearance Certificate
Metals only — mandatory L/C document
Phytosanitary Certificate
Agricultural commodities — issued by national authority
ISCC Sustainability Certificate
Renewable feedstocks (UCO, biomass)
All inspection documents constitute mandatory L/C presentation documents as defined in UCP 600 Article 14 and must conform precisely to the description in the Credit.
Structured Finance Under UCP 600
Stratos advises both buyers and sellers on the appropriate financial instrument for each transaction, structuring documentary credits in accordance with the ICC Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits (UCP 600), the globally recognised standard for Letter of Credit operations. We do not issue financial instruments; we structure and coordinate their issuance through the parties' respective banks.
Documentary Letter of Credit
SWIFT MT700 · UCP 600
The primary payment instrument used in Stratos-facilitated transactions. An irrevocable, confirmed L/C issued via SWIFT MT700 provides both parties with bank-backed payment security contingent on the presentation of conforming documents.
Standby Letter of Credit
SBLC · ISP98 / UCP 600
A Standby L/C (SBLC) functions as a guarantee of payment rather than a primary payment mechanism, and is drawn upon only in the event of the applicant's non-performance. Used in longer-term supply arrangements or where the seller requires performance security.
Documentary Collection
D/P · D/A · URC 522
Documentary collections (D/P — Documents against Payment; D/A — Documents against Acceptance) are governed by ICC URC 522. This instrument is available for transactions between established counterparties with an existing trade history and where the risk profile is mutually acceptable.
UCP 600 Key Article Reference
Article 4
Credits vs. Contracts
A credit is separate from the underlying sale contract. Banks deal with documents, not goods or services.
Article 14
Standard for Examination
Banks examine documents on their face. Documents must comply strictly with the Credit terms.
Article 20
Bill of Lading
B/L must indicate the name of the carrier, port of loading, port of discharge, and be signed by the carrier or agent.
Article 27
Clean Transport Doc
Banks accept only clean transport documents. A clean document carries no clause noting a defective condition of goods or packaging.
Discuss Your Transaction Structure
Contact our trade desk to discuss Incoterm selection, inspection scope, or financial instrument structuring for your specific commodity and transaction size.