引言

　　在跨境工程承包、国际招投标、境外项目投融资等国际工程场景中，国际工程保函是具备跨境担保资质的担保人应申请人请求向受益人出具的法律性书面承诺，作为跨境工程领域的重要信用担保工具，其与国内工程保函存在跨境场景适配性、适用规则国际性的核心差异，且需兼顾不同国家法律体系与国际惯例的衔接，应用覆盖国际工程全生命周期的履约、付款、质量等各类担保需求。本文围绕国际工程保函展开系统性梳理，依次阐述其定义、法律属性与核心功能，按用途、担保责任、开立方式三类划分标准说明保函类型及各自特点，详解其适用的国内法律、核心国际惯例及二者的衔接与适用优先级，明确保函前期条款谈判与主体选择、中期开立流程与跟踪管理、后期修改索赔与失效注销的全流程管理要点，同时识别保函面临的信用、条款、跨境、操作等核心风险，提出多层面的风险防范措施，并结合跨境场景特点梳理协商、调解、仲裁、诉讼的争议解决方式，辅以典型案例分析保函实操中的实践经验与风险警示，最后分析行业数智化、监管协同化、产品服务个性化的未来发展趋势，全面呈现国际工程保函的核心知识与实操体系，为行业从业者及相关企业开展国际工程保函相关工作提供参考。

　　Introduction

　　In international engineering scenarios such as cross-border project contracting, international bidding and tendering, and overseas project investment and financing, an international engineering guarantee is a legally binding written commitment issued by a guarantor qualified for cross-border guarantee business to the beneficiary at the request of the applicant. As a critical credit security instrument in cross-border engineering, it differs fundamentally from domestic engineering guarantees in terms of cross-border scenario adaptability and the international applicability of governing rules. It also needs to coordinate with the legal systems of various jurisdictions and international practices, covering performance, payment, quality and other security demands throughout the entire life cycle of international projects.

　　This paper systematically reviews international engineering guarantees, elaborating on their definitions, legal nature and core functions. It classifies guarantee types and their respective characteristics based on three criteria: purpose, liability scope and issuance method. It further analyzes the applicable domestic laws, key international practices, as well as their coordination and priority of application. The paper identifies key management points covering the whole process: preliminary clause negotiation and party selection, mid-term issuance procedures and monitoring management, and post-completion amendment, claim, expiration and discharge.

　　It also recognizes the core risks including credit risk, clause risk, cross-border risk and operational risk, and puts forward multi-level risk prevention measures. Combined with the characteristics of cross-border scenarios, it sorts out dispute resolution mechanisms including negotiation, mediation, arbitration and litigation. With typical case studies, it summarizes practical experience and risk warnings in guarantee implementation. Finally, it analyzes future development trends such as digital intelligence, coordinated supervision and personalized product services.

　　This paper comprehensively presents the core knowledge and practical system of international engineering guarantees, providing a reference for industry practitioners and relevant enterprises in conducting international engineering guarantee business.

　　一、国际工程保函概述

　　(一)国际工程保函的定义与法律属性

　　国际工程保函是指在跨境工程承包、国际招投标、境外项目投融资等国际工程场景中，由具备跨境担保资质的担保人应申请人的请求，向受益人出具的、具有法律约束力的书面承诺。其核心目的是当申请人未能按照国际工程相关合同约定履行履约、付款、质量保修等义务时，担保人将依据保函条款约定，向受益人承担赔付责任或履行相应担保义务，以此保障国际工程交易各方合法权益、化解跨境合作风险、搭建跨区域信任桥梁，适用范围涵盖国际工程全生命周期的各类履约、付款、质量等相关担保需求。与国内工程保函相比，其核心差异体现在跨境场景适配性、适用规则的国际性，以及需兼顾不同国家法律体系与国际惯例的有效衔接。

　　Overview of International Engineering Guarantees

　　Definition and Legal Attributes of International Engineering Guarantees

　　International engineering guarantees refer to legally binding written commitments issued by guarantors qualified for cross-border guarantee business to beneficiaries at the request of applicants in international engineering scenarios such as cross-border project contracting, international bidding and tendering, and overseas project investment and financing.Their core purpose is that when the applicant fails to perform its obligations including performance, payment, quality warranty and other obligations in accordance with the relevant international engineering contracts, the guarantor shall be liable to compensate the beneficiary or perform corresponding guarantee obligations in accordance with the terms of the guarantee, so as to protect the legitimate rights and interests of all parties to international engineering transactions, mitigate risks in cross-border cooperation, and build cross-regional trust. The scope of application covers various guarantee requirements related to performance, payment, quality and other aspects throughout the entire life cycle of international engineering projects.Compared with domestic engineering guarantees, their core differences are reflected in the adaptability to cross-border scenarios, the international nature of applicable rules, and the need to take into account the effective connection between the legal systems of different countries and international practices.

　　国际工程保函具备从属性与独立性并存、诺成性、要式性及担保性等核心法律属性。由于各国法律体系存在显著差异，对从属性与独立性的认定标准亦有所不同，部分国家司法实践更认可保函的从属性，部分国家则普遍适用独立性保函规则，实践中需结合适用法律与惯例，清晰界定申请人、担保人、受益人三方主体的权利与义务边界。

　　International engineering guarantees possess core legal attributes including the coexistence of accessory and independent nature, consensual nature, formal nature, and security nature. Given the significant differences among national legal systems, the criteria for determining accessory and independent nature vary accordingly. Judicial practices in some jurisdictions give more recognition to the accessory character of guarantees, while others generally apply the rules of independent guarantees. In practice, it is necessary to clearly define the rights and obligations among the three parties—applicant, guarantor, and beneficiary—by combining the applicable laws and practices.

　　(二)国际工程保函的核心功能

　　国际工程保函的核心功能体现为履约保障功能、风险缓释功能、跨境信任构建功能，三大功能相互支撑、协同发力，为国际工程跨境合作筑牢信用与风险防线：

　　Core Functions of International Engineering Guarantees

　　The core functions of international engineering guarantees include performance security, risk mitigation, and cross-border trust building. These three functions are mutually supportive and synergistic, forming a solid credit and risk defense line for cross-border cooperation in international projects.

　　1. 履约保障功能

　　作为最基础的核心功能，保函通过明确的担保责任约定，有效约束申请人的履约行为，要求申请人按工程合同约定按期、按质、按量完成施工、交付等相关义务。一旦申请人出现违约情况，担保人将按保函约定承担赔付责任，切实保障受益人的合法权益，降低受益人面临的履约违约风险，解决跨境工程周期长、履约环节复杂带来的履约监管难题。

　　Performance Security Function

　　As the most fundamental core function, the guarantee effectively binds the applicant’s performance through clear stipulations of guarantee liability, requiring the applicant to complete construction, delivery and other relevant obligations on schedule, with qualified quality and in the agreed quantity in accordance with the engineering contract.In the event of default by the applicant, the guarantor shall assume compensation liability as stipulated in the guarantee, effectively protecting the legitimate rights and interests of the beneficiary, reducing the risk of performance default faced by the beneficiary, and solving the performance supervision difficulties caused by the long cycle and complex performance links in cross-border projects.

　　2. 风险缓释功能

　　跨境工程面临信用、履约、付款、汇率、政治等多重核心风险，且各方主体处于不同国家或地区，风险传导性更强。保函通过明确担保责任，实现风险在申请人、担保人、受益人之间的合理分配，有效覆盖各类潜在风险，减少风险发生时某一方主体的直接损失，为国际工程的顺利推进筑牢风险防线。

　　Risk Mitigation Function

　　Cross-border projects are exposed to multiple core risks including credit risk, performance risk, payment risk, exchange rate risk and political risk. As parties are located in different countries or regions, risk transmission is more prominent. By defining guarantee liabilities clearly, guarantees enable reasonable risk allocation among the applicant, guarantor and beneficiary, effectively cover various potential risks, reduce direct losses incurred by any party upon risk occurrence, and build a solid risk defense for the smooth implementation of international projects.

　　3. 跨境信任构建功能

　　国际工程各方主体来自不同国家，存在信息不对称、地域差异、规则认知分歧、文化背景不同等问题，信任壁垒显著。保函作为具有法律约束力的信用担保工具，能够向受益人证明申请人的履约能力和信用水平，破解各方之间的信任壁垒，搭建起跨境合作的信任桥梁，为国际工程招投标、承包等交易的顺利达成提供核心保障。

　　Cross-Border Trust Building Function

　　Parties to international projects come from different jurisdictions, facing problems such as information asymmetry, geographical differences, divergent understanding of rules and cultural disparities, leading to prominent trust barriers. As a legally binding credit security instrument, a guarantee demonstrates the applicant’s performance capacity and credit standing to the beneficiary, breaks down trust barriers, builds a bridge of trust for cross-border cooperation, and provides essential support for the conclusion of transactions such as international project bidding and contracting.

　　(三)国际工程保函行业发展现状与趋势

　　当前，在 “一带一路” 共建等跨境工程需求的驱动下，国际工程保函行业实现稳步发展，市场规模持续扩大，区域分布逐步延伸至全球主要工程市场。银行等专业担保机构凭借跨境服务优势成为行业核心力量，已实现对 49 个国家与地区的涉外保函服务覆盖，为 “走出去” 企业提供全周期信用担保支持。

　　Current Development and Trends of the International Engineering Guarantee Industry

　　Driven by cross-border project demand under initiatives such as the Belt and Road cooperation, the international engineering guarantee industry has achieved steady development, with continuous expansion of market scale and gradual extension of regional coverage to major global project markets. Relying on their cross-border service advantages, banks and other professional guarantee institutions have become core players in the industry, covering cross-border guarantee services in 49 countries and regions, providing full-cycle credit security support for enterprises “going global”.

　　与此同时，行业发展呈现鲜明趋势，数字化转型持续深化，区块链、人工智能等技术广泛应用，银企直连等线上化模式逐步推广，实现保函开立、审核、流转全流程无纸化操作，大幅提升服务效率。跨境监管协同不断推进，各国逐步加强监管规则的衔接与统一，简化跨境保函审批流程，破解监管壁垒，同时相关法律适用规则不断明确，为行业发展提供更清晰的指引。行业发展兼顾标准化与个性化，条款、流程等行业标准逐步统一，同时结合不同国家、不同工程场景的需求推出个性化产品与服务，进一步提升保函适配性，推动行业高质量发展。

　　Meanwhile, the industry is showing distinctive development trends. Digital transformation continues to deepen, with technologies such as blockchain and artificial intelligence widely applied. Online models including direct bank-enterprise connection are gradually promoted, realizing paperless operations throughout the entire process of guarantee issuance, review and circulation, which greatly improves service efficiency. Cross-border regulatory coordination is advancing, as countries gradually strengthen alignment and unification of regulatory rules, simplify cross-border guarantee approval procedures and break down regulatory barriers. At the same time, applicable legal rules are becoming increasingly clear, providing clearer guidance for industry development. The industry pursues both standardization and customization: industrial standards for terms and procedures are gradually unified, while customized products and services are launched to meet demands in different countries and project scenarios, further improving guarantee adaptability and promoting high-quality development of the industry.

　　二、国际工程保函的分类

　　国际工程保函可按用途、担保责任、开立方式分类。按用途可分为投标、履约、预付款等核心保函，覆盖工程全流程需求。按担保责任分为从属性与独立性保函，其中独立性保函是国际工程主流。按开立方式分为直接与间接保函，分别适配不同信任度及监管场景，各类保函按需适配跨境工程不同场景，发挥对应担保作用。

　　Classification of International Engineering Guarantees

　　International engineering guarantees can be classified by purpose, guarantee liability and issuance method. By purpose, they are divided into tender guarantees, performance guarantees, advance payment guarantees and other core types, covering the whole project cycle. By guarantee liability, they are divided into accessory guarantees and independent guarantees, among which independent guarantees are mainstream in international projects. By issuance method, they are divided into direct guarantees and indirect guarantees, suitable for scenarios with different levels of trust and regulatory requirements. Each type serves corresponding security functions in different cross-border project scenarios.

　　(一)按用途分类

　　按用途划分的保函覆盖国际工程全流程担保需求，是实操中最核心的分类方式，核心类型为投标保函、履约保函、预付款保函、付款保函、质量保函，同时包含针对特殊场景的定制化特殊类型保函，各类保函分别适配工程招投标、施工、资金支付、质量保修等不同阶段：

　　Classification by Purpose

　　Classification by purpose covers the full-process guarantee demand of international projects and is the most important classification in practice. The core types include tender guarantees, performance guarantees, advance payment guarantees, payment guarantees and quality guarantees, as well as customized special guarantees for particular scenarios. Each type applies to different stages including bidding, construction, fund payment and quality warranty:

　　投标保函是国际工程招投标环节不可或缺的担保形式，核心用于担保申请人严格遵守招投标规则，秉持公平诚信的投标原则，同时承诺若成功中标，将按时与招标方签订工程合同，避免因申请人违约导致招标流程延误、成本增加，为招投标工作的有序推进提供保障。

　　A tender guarantee is an indispensable security instrument in international project bidding. It mainly guarantees that the applicant strictly abides by bidding rules, adheres to the principle of fairness and good faith, and undertakes to sign the project contract with the tenderer in a timely manner if awarded. It avoids delays and cost increases in the tender process caused by the applicant’s default, ensuring orderly conduct of bidding activities.

　　履约保函是国际工程保函中最核心的类别，覆盖工程施工全周期，核心担保申请人能够严格按照工程合同约定，按期、按质、按量完成施工、交付等全部履约义务，一旦申请人出现履约违约情况，担保人将按保函约定承担赔付责任，切实保障项目业主的合法权益。

　　A performance guarantee is the core type of international engineering guarantees, covering the entire construction cycle. It guarantees that the applicant fully performs construction, delivery and other obligations in strict accordance with the project contract in terms of schedule, quality and quantity. In case of default by the applicant, the guarantor shall be liable for compensation as stipulated, effectively protecting the legitimate rights and interests of the project owner.

　　预付款保函主要针对工程发包方支付的预付款提供担保，核心目的是约束申请人按合同约定合理使用预付款，专项用于工程原材料采购、人员调配等工程相关支出，避免预付款被挪用、截留，同时担保若申请人违约无法履约，能够退还相应预付款，降低发包方的资金风险。

　　An advance payment guarantee secures the advance payment made by the project employer. Its core purpose is to bind the applicant to use the advance payment properly for project-related expenditures such as procurement of raw materials and personnel deployment, preventing misappropriation or withholding. It also guarantees that the applicant will refund the corresponding advance payment in case of default, reducing the employer’s fund risk.

　　付款保函的担保主体为工程发包方，核心功能是担保发包方按照工程合同约定的时间、金额，按时向承包方支付工程款，避免出现拖欠工程款、逾期付款等情况，保障承包方的合法收益，缓解承包方的资金周转压力，维护双方合作的稳定性。

　　A payment guarantee is issued for the project employer. Its core function is to guarantee that the employer pays the contractor in accordance with the time and amount agreed in the contract, avoiding project payment arrears and delayed payments, protecting the contractor’s legitimate proceeds, easing cash flow pressure and maintaining stable cooperation.

　　质量保函又称维修保函，主要用于工程竣工验收合格后，担保申请人按照合同约定履行质量保修义务，在保修期内，若工程出现质量问题，申请人需及时进行维修、整改，若申请人未履行保修义务，担保人将承担相应的赔付或维修责任，保障工程后续质量。

　　A quality guarantee, also known as a maintenance guarantee, is mainly used after project completion and acceptance. It guarantees that the applicant performs quality warranty obligations as agreed. If quality defects occur during the warranty period and the applicant fails to repair or rectify them timely, the guarantor shall be liable for compensation or maintenance, safeguarding the subsequent quality of the project.

　　除上述核心保函外，国际工程中还存在保留金保函、履约保证金保函等特殊保函，此类保函根据具体工程场景的特殊需求定制，分别用于担保保留金返还、履约保证金相关义务的履行等，填补核心保函的适用空白，适配各类复杂跨境工程场景。

　　In addition to the above core guarantees, there are special guarantees such as retention money guarantees and performance bond guarantees in international projects. Tailored to specific project scenarios, they secure the release of retention money and the performance of obligations related to performance bonds, filling gaps of core guarantees and adapting to various complex cross-border project contexts.

　　(二)按担保责任分类

　　按担保责任划分的保函核心区别在于担保责任与工程主合同的关联程度，分为从属性保函和独立性保函，其中独立性保函因适配跨境工程复杂场景，成为当前国际工程领域的主流类型：

　　Classification by Guarantee Liability

　　Guarantees classified by guarantee liability differ mainly in the degree of connection with the underlying project contract, and are divided into accessory guarantees and independent guarantees. Independent guarantees have become the mainstream in international projects due to their adaptability to complex cross-border scenarios:

　　从属性保函是国际工程保函中较为基础的类型，其担保责任紧密依赖于工程主合同的效力。这意味着保函的有效性以主合同的合法有效为前提，若主合同因法定或约定情形无效、撤销或终止，相应的保函也会随之失去法律效力，担保人无需再承担担保责任，其担保责任范围也与主合同约定的申请人义务相匹配。

　　An accessory guarantee is a basic type of international engineering guarantee, whose liability is closely dependent on the validity of the underlying project contract. The validity of the guarantee is premised on the lawful validity of the main contract. If the main contract is invalid, revoked or terminated by law or agreement, the guarantee will cease to be effective accordingly and the guarantor will be released from liability. The scope of guarantee liability matches the applicant’s obligations under the main contract.

　　独立性保函是当前国际工程领域的主流类型，其核心特点是担保责任独立于工程主合同。无论主合同是否有效、是否存在争议，只要受益人提交的索赔文件符合保函条款约定的形式和条件，担保人就必须按照保函承诺承担赔付责任，无需核查主合同的履行情况，这种独立性能够更充分地保障受益人的权益，适配跨境工程的复杂场景。

　　An independent guarantee is the prevailing type in current international projects. Its core feature is that the guarantee liability is independent of the underlying project contract. Regardless of the validity or dispute of the main contract, the guarantor must pay as promised once the beneficiary submits a complying demand that meets the formal conditions stipulated in the guarantee, without examining the performance of the main contract. Such independence provides stronger protection for the beneficiary and suits complex cross-border project environments.

　　(三)按开立方式分类

　　按开立方式划分的保函核心区别在于是否引入第三方本地担保机构转开，分为直接保函和间接保函，分别适配不同信任度、跨境监管要求的国际工程场景：

　　Classification by Issuance Method

　　Guarantees classified by issuance method differ in whether a third-party local guarantee institution is involved for reissuance, and are divided into direct guarantees and indirect guarantees, suitable for international project scenarios with different trust levels and cross-border regulatory requirements:

　　直接保函是国际工程中较为简洁的开立形式，由具备跨境担保资质的担保人直接向受益人出具保函。此类保函无需第三方机构介入，流程简便、效率较高，主要适用于保函各方主体信任度较高、交易结构相对简单，且无跨境监管特殊限制的国际工程场景。

　　A direct guarantee is a relatively simple issuance form in international projects, issued directly by a qualified cross-border guarantor to the beneficiary. Without the intervention of a third party, it features simple procedures and high efficiency, mainly applicable to scenarios where parties enjoy high mutual trust, the transaction structure is relatively simple, and no special cross-border regulatory restrictions apply.

　　间接保函主要用于存在跨境监管限制或受益人明确要求本地担保的国际工程场景，其开立需通过项目所在国的本地担保机构转开。担保人先向当地转开机构出具反担保，再由当地转开机构向受益人开立最终保函，既能满足当地监管要求和受益人偏好，也能有效规避跨境担保的地域壁垒。

　　An indirect guarantee is mainly used in projects subject to cross-border regulatory restrictions or where the beneficiary explicitly requires a local guarantee. It is issued through a local guarantee institution in the project host country. The guarantor first issues a counter-guarantee to the local reissuing institution, which then issues the final guarantee to the beneficiary. This structure satisfies local regulatory requirements and beneficiary preferences, and effectively overcomes geographical barriers to cross-border guarantees.

　　参考文献

　　一、中国国内法、司法解释等文件：

　　[1]《中华人民共和国民法典》(担保编)

　　[2]最高人民法院《关于审理独立保函纠纷案件若干问题的规定》(法释〔2016〕24号)

　　[3]最高人民法院指导案例109号：安徽省外经建设(集团)有限公司诉东方置业房地产有限公司保函欺诈纠纷案(2017)最高法民再134号

　　二、域外法律：

　　[4]英国《Unfair Contract Terms Act 1977》(1977年不公平合同条款法)

　　三、国际商事惯例：

　　[5]国际商会《见索即付保函统一规则》(URDG 758)

　　[6]国际商会《跟单信用证统一惯例》(UCP 600)

　　[7]国际商会《合同担保统一规则》(URCG 325)

　　四、网络资源：

　　[8]贾云鹏：《一张“转开保函”创新破解中泰铁路融资难题》，载新华丝路，2025年11月17日。