Payment for goods in which the price is paid in full before shipment is made. Most common with small purchases, initial purchases, or when the goods are built to order.

Full payment for exported goods before shipment is made.

A foreign customer pays a Canadian exporter prior to actually receiving the exporter's product(s). It is the least-risk form of payment from the exporter's perspective.

A method of paying for items which involves giving cash before receiving anything. It is a fairly risky way to pay because it assumes no problems with delivery or with the quality of the items, and that there would be no difficulty in getting the cash back if problems arose.