What a discrepancy is
A discrepancy is a difference between the documents presented and the terms of the credit, or a conflict among the documents themselves. Banks deal in documents. UCP 600, when the credit names those ICC rules, is the usual examination framework. This page is practical trade-file hygiene, not legal advice and not a bank opinion. ICC on documentary credits: https://iccwbo.org/business-solutions/banking/uniform-customs-and-practice/
Where commodity files usually break
Commercial invoice: goods description that does not correspond to the credit. Packing list: weights, marks or carton counts that conflict with the invoice. Bill of lading: consignee, ports, on-board notation, or a claused remark when the credit required a clean transport document. Certificate of origin: origin or party names that do not match the invoice. COA or inspection certificate: lot or batch identity that cannot be tied to the marks on the packing list or B/L. Dates and quantities that cannot be reconciled across the set.
Data need not be identical, but must not conflict
When UCP 600 applies, data in documents need not be a character-for-character copy of every other document, but they must not conflict when read with the credit. Invoice description is often held to a stricter correspondence with the credit than other documents. Copying the credit’s goods wording onto the invoice, then keeping packing list and B/L from contradicting it, is ordinary practice. TTC does not decide whether a bank will refuse.
What TTC’s documentation process is for
TTC coordinates a matching set: names, lots and descriptions that can be issued as one file. That is not a prediction of honour or a waiver. If the commercial documents cannot be issued as the LC is drafted, change the credit before load. See also the page on documentation problems in cross-border trade.
Primary sources
ICC Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits: https://iccwbo.org/business-solutions/banking/uniform-customs-and-practice/