In traditional international trade, agreements are printed, signed by hand, couriered, and stored physically. The interim semi-digital process has been emailing signed PDFs back and fourth replacing the need for couriering but allowing for unstandardized storage of documents. The next step in digital trade is to replace these slow and risky processes with secure, legally recognised electronic documents and archiving. This is Boex’s single source of truth concept.
When you digitally sign a trade on Boex, you are legally performing the digital equivalent of physically signing a trade document.
Thanks to the UK’s Electronic Trade Documents Act (ETDA) 2023, digital trade documents now carry the same legal status and enforceability as paper originals. This means electronic trades can be relied on in the same way as their traditional counterparts without printing, postage, or delays.
How digital signing works in international trade
Digital signing on Boex is designed to be simple, secure, and legally robust.
When you certify a document, you are:
Formally approving the trade agreement
Just like signing a paper document, certification confirms your intent to be legally bound by the terms.Confirming accuracy and completeness
You acknowledge that you have reviewed the document and that all details including amounts, dates, parties, and terms are correct.Agreeing to perform your obligations
Certification represents a commitment to fulfill your responsibilities under the trade.
Once both parties certify the Bill of Exchange, the document becomes fully executed and ready to move forward in the trade process.
What makes digital signing secure?
Digital certification on Boex is more than just clicking a checkbox. Each certification action is:
Identity-linked – tied to a verified user and organisation
Time-stamped – showing exactly when approval occurred
Tamper-evident – any changes after certification are clearly visible
Recorded – creating a permanent audit trail
This provides greater protection than many paper-based processes, where signatures can be forged, altered, or separated from supporting documents.
Why this matters for international trade
Digital document signing enables faster, safer, and more transparent global trade by:
Eliminating courier delays and lost paperwork
Trades don’t get lost in a flurry of emails
Reducing fraud and disputes over “final” versions
Allowing instant execution across borders and time zones
Creating a clear legal record that can be relied on by banks, partners, and regulators
Allows for single source of truth archiving
In short, certification turns your digital trade into a legally enforceable trade instrument, ready for real-world use.
Need help?
If you have questions about digital document signing, certification, or how this works in international trade, our team is happy to help.
Contact us at: [email protected]