MT799 — Free Format Message (Cat 7)
Category 7 free format message used for bilateral bank-to-bank negotiations around a documentary credit or guarantee. The informal SWIFTNet channel — often the target of Trade Finance fraud.
Purpose
MT799 is used to: ask the issuing bank a question about L/C terms, signal a verbal agreement prior to issuance, transmit complementary documents, exchange KYC information. It is the equivalent of the official email between banks in the Trade Finance context.
Block 4 tags
| Tag | Name | Status |
|---|---|---|
:20: | Sender's Reference | Mandatory |
:21: | Related Reference (often L/C #) | Conditional |
:79: | Narrative (free text 35x x 50 lines) | Mandatory |
Real-world example
BNP Paribas asks HSBC Hong Kong for clarifications on 3 L/C points:
{1:F01BNPAFRPPAXXX0000000000}{2:I799HSBCHKHHXXXXN}{4:
:20:LCQRY20260518002
:21:LC2026MAIN001
:79:RE LC2026MAIN001 ISSUED ON 260218 IN FAVOUR OF
JADE TRADING LTD HONG KONG FOR USD 250,000.00
WE HEREBY REQUEST CLARIFICATION ON THE FOLLOWING POINTS:
1. INSURANCE POLICY 110 PCT CIF VALUE BUT YOUR TELEX
DATED 260516 STATES 105 PCT
2. PORT OF LOADING DECLARED SHENZHEN AT ISSUANCE
PLEASE CONFIRM WHETHER GUANGZHOU IS ALSO ACCEPTABLE
3. NEGOTIATION DOCUMENTS LATEST PRESENTATION DATE
PLEASE ADVISE BY MT799 RETURN MESSAGE
BEST REGARDS
TRADE FINANCE OPS - BNP PARIBAS
-}{5:{CHK:DEEF12345678}}Common pitfalls
- Third-party "Proof of Funds": no non-bank third party can have your bank issue an MT799 — classic fraud.
- MT799 as MT760 substitute: MT799 is NOT legally binding like a guarantee ; creates no payment obligation.
- :79: over 50 lines: truncated by SWIFT ; split across multiple MT799 (MT799 Page 1/N, 2/N).
- Diacritics and characters ç/é/à: SWIFT character set X only.