This step is the importer’s responsibility. The importer must now approach his/her local bank (referred to as the issuing bank) and request them to issue a letter of credit (L/C) in favour of your firm. The importer will normally provide the bank with a copy his/her written order or indent and a copy of your confirmation of this order. Your confirmation serves as proof that (a) your received the order and (b) that you agree with all of the specifications outlined in the order. For this reason, it is important that you carefully read the order before confirming it! The specifications outlined in the order will become the basis upon which the L/C is drawn up. The issuing bank then forwards the L/C to its correspondent bank in South Africa. The correspondent bank may not necessarily be your own bank. The correspondent bank will then notify you that the L/C has arrived and that you can come collect it.