對于貨物的進出口,有必要特別關注一些細節(jié)問題(to pay close attention to detail)。從廠家發(fā)貨到買家收貨、從運輸到交貨(shipping and delivery),不同的階段都有一些事情需要額外留意(to watch for)。
運輸管理
運輸管理非常關鍵(crucial)。一旦買方支付貨物費用或者同意通過信用證[a letter of credit(L/C)]來支付,他們就有權利知道貨物在任何指定時間內(at any given time)的狀態(tài)。因此,買方總是不斷地聯系(keep in constant contact)制造商、貿易公司、船運公司或采購代理公司,以確認貨物的交付情況。賣方也不時通過監(jiān)控系統(tǒng)了解運輸進度。
⊙Where are the goods now?貨物現在在哪兒?
⊙The freight forwarder can help.貨運代理可以幫忙。
⊙We already have a letter of credit from the buyer.So it's safe to say we're good to go on this deal.
我們已經收到了買方的信用證。要說我們可以放心交易了是沒錯的。
⊙Contact our sourcing agent to make sure the product is on its way.聯系我們的采購代理以確保貨物已經在路上了。
⊙Where exactly are we in the transportation process?我們到底在運輸的哪個環(huán)節(jié)?
⊙When can we expect to receive our shipment?我們預計什么時候能收到貨物?
⊙We've actually purchased the shipment, so we'd better keep track of where it is.
我們實際上已經支付過了,所以我們最好跟蹤貨物所在位置。
⊙Contact the manufacturer and see what's holding our order up.聯系制造商看貨物到底擱在哪兒了。
⊙I need to call the shipping company to track down what happened to the order.
我需要打電話給船運公司看我們的貨物出了什么情況。
海關(Customs)
每個國家的通關情況各有異同。通常情況下,清關工作必須由有資質認證的或海關注冊的報關代理人(licensed or registered customs agent)來負責。過程并不復雜,但有一定的費用(cost some cash)。清關費通常至少150美元。根據現行的貨物種類收取固定的關稅,該費用應當由報關代理人在清關過程中墊付。
⊙The shipment is about to clear customs this week.貨物這個星期就應該清關了。
⊙What kind of tariffs will we have to deal with?我們要支付哪種關稅?
⊙The customs broker fee is out of this world.這個報關費低得不得了。
⊙Next time we should look into purchasing a long-term customs clearance agent.
下一次我們應該考慮雇一個長期的清關代理公司。
⊙How much is customs duty for our order?
我們貨物的關稅是多少?
認真遵守進口規(guī)則
必須保證你在報關單上填寫的貨物內容和實際貨物相符。有人為了逃避關稅會填寫一些關稅較低的項目,或者有意不把貨物種類填寫全。但是,各國海關對于這種情況的懲罰相當嚴厲(stiff penalties)。各國政府都非常重視對海關欺詐行為的監(jiān)控和懲處(monitoring and prosecuting customs fraud)。因此,很有必要了解你貨物出口目的國的海關規(guī)定。
⊙Does your shipment include any samples or gifts?你的貨物中包含樣品和禮物嗎?
⊙Importing non-commercial items can be hit with hefty fines.進口非貿易物品將被處以高額罰款。
關系
如果平時就能夠和供貨商、貨運代理商、清關公司、海關人員建立良好的關系,那不僅能讓你平時的出口業(yè)務保持通暢(flow smoothly),而且在出現問題時,各方會多一些熱心和責任心。
A:Is there a way we can arrange a factory tour before the shipment leaves China?
B:Of course, we'd love you to come for a factory tour. Please let us know what kind of arrangements we can make for you.
A:在貨物離開中國之前,能否為我們組織一個工廠參觀考察?
B:當然,我們很愿意你們來工廠考察。請告訴我們都要為你們安排哪些內容。
總結
對買方來說,并不是賣方收款發(fā)貨就意味著可以高枕無憂。從貨物裝船到進入自己倉庫仍有需要關注的一段時間。買家應及時向廠家詢問貨物所處狀態(tài),避免讓賣家掉以輕心;了解進口程序和法規(guī),避免不必要的損失;保持和各方的友好關系,保證在出現問題時能溝通順暢。
Words 單詞表
agency代理,經銷商
already已經
disaster災害,災禍
duty責任,義務
helpful有用的,有幫助的
manufacturer制造商
order訂單,訂購
purchase采購,購買
receive收到,接受
shipment裝船,貨運,裝運
status狀態(tài)
still仍然
tariff關稅,費率表
yet仍,還
Phrases 短語表
basically基本上,根本上
clear customs清關
due to由于
find out查明,發(fā)現
have a word(with sb)(和某人)說句話
keep track of跟蹤
hold up堅持,阻礙,耽誤
make sure確保,肯定
on its way途中
pick up提取,拾起
sourcing agent采購代理
step up(and do sth)走上前(并做某事)
be supposed to被期望,本應該
take responsibility承擔責任
track sth down搜尋到,跟蹤到
tracking system跟蹤系統(tǒng)
實景對話1
A:Why haven't we received our order yet?We've as good as purchased the shipment, so we'd better keep track of where it is. Contact our sourcing agent to make sure the product is on its way.
B:I already did that……They said they weren't sure, but told me I needed to call the shipping company to track down what happened to the order.
A:Isn't that their job?What are we paying them for, anyway?
B:Well, that's what I told them. But they weren't so helpful.So then I just called the shipping company myself.
A:And?What did you find out?
B:The shipping company said that the products haven't been picked up from the factories yet.
A:Are you kidding?We were supposed to receive the shipment three weeks ago!And you're telling me it hasn't left the factory yet?!Contact the manufacturer and see what's holding our order up.
B:Well, I did that, too. And……
A:And?
B:They said that they already shipped our order three weeks ago.
A:What?!
B:So basically, that means the order is lost.
A:Lost?!Well, somebody better step up and take responsibility here. Get the shipping agent on the phone for me right now. I want to have a word with them about what they're going to do to take care of this disaster.
A:為什么我們還沒有收到貨?我們已經付過錢了,所以最好落實一下它在哪里。聯系我們的采購代理確保我們的貨已經在路上了。
B:我聯系過了……他們說他們不肯定,要我打電話給船運公司查詢訂單。
A:那不是他們的工作嗎?我們付錢給他們是要他們干嗎的?
B:我也這么說他們。但他們幫不了什么忙。所以我自己打電話給船運公司。
A:然后呢?你找到了什么?
B:船運公司說我們的貨物還沒從工廠提取出來。
A:你在開玩笑吧?我們在3周前就應當收到貨物了?,F在你又告訴我說它還沒離開工廠?!請聯系制造商看貨物到底擱在哪兒了。
B:我也聯系了。但是……
A:但是什么?
B:他們說3周前他們就已經發(fā)貨了。
A:什么?!
B:因此,基本上我們的貨物丟了。
A:丟了?!那這兒最好有人主動出來承擔責任。現在給我把電話接到船運代理。我要和他們談談看他們如何處理這個麻煩。
實景對話2
A:Hello, Ningbo Manufacturing, this is Lin Na, how can I help you?
B:Hi Lin Na, this is George calling from Juno Toys. I wanted to find out what's happening to our shipment. Can you help me?
A:Sure, let me look up your information on our computer tracking system.
Yes, here it is. You have an order of 6000 matchbox cars?
B:Yes, that's the order we want to know about. Where are the goods now?
Where exactly are we in the transportation process?
A:Let's see……The shipment is about to clear customs this week.
B:So it's already left the factory and made its way over here?That was fast!
What kind of tariffs will we have to deal with?How much is customs duty for our order?
A:I'm sorry, sir, I can't answer those questions for you, I can only tell you the status of where your order is. Perhaps you can try contacting your customs broker for more details about the duty you have.
B:Well, can you tell me when can we expect to receive our shipment?
A:Usually, unless there are some problems in clearing customs, it should only take a few days. You should receive your shipment by the end of the week.
B:Okay. Thanks for the information.I appreciate your help.
A:你好,這里是寧波制造,我是林娜。有什么可以為你效勞的?
B:你好,林娜,我是Juno玩具的George。我想知道我們的貨怎樣了。你能幫我嗎?
A:當然。讓我查一下我們的電腦跟蹤系統(tǒng)。這里,找到了。你是訂購了6000件火柴盒汽車嗎?
B:是的,那正是我們想了解的訂單。貨這會兒在哪兒?在運輸的哪個環(huán)節(jié)?
A:讓我看看……貨物應該是本周內清關。
B:這么說貨物已經離開了工廠而且在來這里的路上?那么快!我們要付哪種關稅?我們要付多少關稅?
A:對不起,先生,我不能回答那些問題。我只能告訴你訂單所在的狀況。也許你可以聯系你的清關代理人來了解更多的關于關稅的細節(jié)。
B:那你能告訴我預計什么時候會收到貨物嗎?
A:通常,如果清關沒有什么問題,應該幾天時間吧。你應該在本周末收到貨。
B:好的。謝謝你的信息。我很感謝你的幫助。