ICC Digital Library Forum

Discussion has arisen regarding the company chop. Does this chop have to include or exclude the signature of the carrier on a CMR?
R337 of the Opinions of the ICC Banking Commission states only that a chop constitutes a signature.

As no one else seems to want to respond to you I thought I would, just in case any debate on this subject has not been resolved within your bank.

Sub-Article 20b states:

‘A document may be signed by handwriting, by facsimile signature, by perforated signature, by stamp, by symbol, or by any other mechanical or electronic method of authentication.’

R337 confirms a ‘chop’ falls within this sub-Article. Thus, based on this it is not appropriate -I believe- to distinguish between a ‘chop’ and a ‘signature’, as a ‘chop’ is a form of ‘signature’. Consequently, the ‘chop’ of a carrier is the ‘signature’ of a carrier, per sub-Article 20b and, for example, therefore meets the requirements of sub-Article 28ai.

[edited 8/3/01 4:52:53 PM]

I agree with Mr.Jeremy Smith that the stamp falls within "signature" category. However it might also depend on other circumstances, I believe that in my country nobody would accept the stamp as "signature" on the document issued by a local party. On the other hand we understand that stamp is used as signature for instance in Asia.

Pavel Andrle

[edited 10/19/01 9:45:53 PM]

A short and clear answer: chop is acceptable as a signature, therefore when there is a chop on CMR there is no need for an extra signature and vice-versa. Regards. Cengizhan Kaptan cenkap@superonline.com Certifed Documentary Credits Specialist - Turkey