After-Date

After-date is a term used in trade finance and negotiable instruments, specifying that the payment period of a bill of exchange or promissory note is calculated from the date the document is issued or signed. For example, a bill drawn '90 days after date' becomes due for payment exactly 90 days from its issuance date, regardless of when it is accepted or presented. This differs from after-sight instruments, where the payment period begins from the date of acceptance. After-date bills provide predictability in scheduling cash flows for both buyers and sellers in international trade transactions.