Commercial Code section 4503

Unless otherwise instructed and except as provided in Division 5 (commencing with Section 5101), a bank presenting a documentary draft:

(a)

Shall deliver the documents to the drawee on acceptance of the draft if it is payable more than three days after presentment; otherwise, only on payment.

(b)

Upon dishonor, either in the case of presentment for acceptance or presentment for payment, may seek and follow instructions from any referee in case of need designated in the draft or, if the presenting bank does not choose to utilize the referee’s services, it shall use diligence and good faith to ascertain the reason for dishonor, shall notify its transferor of the dishonor and of the results of its effort to ascertain the reasons therefor, and shall request instructions.
However, the presenting bank is under no obligation with respect to goods represented by the documents except to follow any reasonable instructions seasonably received; it has a right to reimbursement for any expense incurred in following instructions and to prepayment of or indemnity for those expenses.

Source: Section 4503, https://leginfo.­legislature.­ca.­gov/faces/codes_displaySection.­xhtml?lawCode=COM§ionNum=4503.­ (accessed Apr. 24, 2025).

Last Updated

Apr. 24, 2025

§ 4503’s source at ca​.gov