An instrument which is used for the settlement of debts is called bills of exchange. It is prepared by a person who is entitled to receive money from a person who is bound to pay the money in other words that are drawn by the creditor on a debtor.
It is a legal document which contains written order to pay a certain amount of money to a specific person. The difference between the actual money received and the face value of the bill is termed as a discount. A discount may or may not be given by drawer of a bill of exchange and it depends on the terms and conditions between the buyer and seller.
Features of Bill of Exchange
The following can be said as features of a bill of exchange
- It is a written order or also termed as an instrument in writing.
- It contains an unconditional order to pay to a certain person without any conditions.
- There are three parties involved in this transaction name the drawer drawee and Payee.
- The bills of exchange that has been decided should be certain and specific and should be agreed upon by both parties.
- The name of both of the parties and the amount of money should be specific and certain.
- The signature of both the parties that is a drawer and the drawer should be there on the bill of exchange.
Contents of the bill of exchange
A bill of exchange contains following things in a written format which is validated by both the participating parties. The name of the drawer, the name of the drawee, date of issuance of the bill, Signature of both the parties, the amount owed written in numerical and verbal, along with space for signature for both parties and address in short. The address can be of either of the party or of both.
Following are the parties involved in the bill of exchange
- Drawer – One who draws the bill of exchange. A Drawer is a person who is entitled to receive a specified amount of money and is required to sign and send it to the drawing for his acceptance of the bill of exchange.
- Drawee – The one on whom the bill of exchange is drawn. He is the person who owns drawer the amount specified in the bill of exchange. On acceptance by the drawee, the bills of exchange can be recognized. The signature is to be done across is the name and it denotes that the drawee has accepted to pay the amount which is mentioned in the bill.
- Payee – The one who pays the amount which is specified in the bill of exchange. In most of the cases, there is nobody else but the drawer of the bill.
Types of Bill of Exchange
1) Documentary bill :
A bill of exchange which is always accompanied by supporting documents which confirm the authenticity of trade or transaction that has taken place between the seller and the buyer is called a documentary bill. The documents may include but not restricted to invoices, receipts, bill of lading, railway bills etc.
Documentary bill is further classified into
- D/A bill (documents against acceptance) Bills: When the documents are delivered only against acceptance of a bill to the drawing it is termed as D/A bill. The bill nullifies or becomes clear post the delivery of documents.
- D/P Bill (documents against payment): When the documents are delivered against payment of the bill it is termed as D/P bill. Post delivery of the documents they are held by banker until the maturity of the bill has taken place.
2) Demand bill :
A bill which is payable on demand or when presented are at the site is called a demand bill. The demand bill does not have a due date or time specifically mentioned for the payment and hence the payment can be made when the bill is presented.
3) Usance bill :
This is also termed as time bill which means it is the bill which has specifically mentioned the time period for the payment on it. Usance bill is considered as a time-bound bill because of the specific time and period mentioned on it.
4) Inland bills :
A Bill drawn in India and payable only in India or a bill that is drawn by an Indian resident table in India or any other country is termed an inland bill. Inland bill is quite opposite of Foreign bill.
5) Clean bill :
A bill without documents of proof is called Clean Bill. Clean bills charge higher interest rate than the other documentary bills since there are no documents involved.
6) Foreign bills :
A bill of exchange bound to be paid outside India is called foreign bill. The bill of exchange which is not an inland bill is termed as a foreign bill. It is further divided into
a) Export bill :
A bill drawn for a party outside India which is drawn by an exporter is termed as an export bill.
b) Import Bill :
A bill which is drawn outside India by an exporter is called import bill. This Bill is issued for Indian importers.
7) Accommodation bill :
Whenever a bill is accepted or drawn or endorsed regardless of any condition is termed as accommodation bill.
8) Trade Bill :
A Bill which is drawn for the purpose of a trade order transaction is termed as trade bill. Trade bills are common in case of international trading.
9) Supply bills :
When a bill is drawn on government department by a supplier or a contractor to supply certain goods, it is termed as a supply bill. The objective of supply is used to obtain cash from financial institutions against pending payment to meet the financial needs. Government department usually does not accept this kind of business but they are eligible for getting cash loans from commercial banks going to its non-negotiable characteristics.
10) Fictitious Bill :
A bill in which the name of either of the party that is drawer or drawee or both are fictitious, it is termed as a fictitious bill.
11) Hundis :
These are promissory notes and bill of exchange which are indigenous in nature that is usually used for agricultural financing and inland trade.
Above were all the different Types of Bill of Exchange. Depending on your need, you can use the right type amonst all the various Types of Bill of Exchange.
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