When negotiating a transaction, the buyer and the seller should reach an agreement on time of shipment, port of shipment and port of destination, shipping advice, partial shipment and transshipment(转船), dispatch(速谴费) and demurrage(滞期费), etc. And specify them in the contract of sale. Clear stipulation of shipment clause is an important condition for the smooth execution of the contract.

 

 

1) Then when is the earliest shipment we can expect?

2) Our customs formalities are rather complicated

3) So the goods really ought to be shipped before October, or we won’t be ready for the season.

4) I see your point

5) I sincerely hope you will give our request your special consideration.

6) A timely delivery means a lot to us.

 

A: Now that we’ve settled the terms of payment, is it possible to effect shipment in September?

B: I don’t think we can.

A: Then when is the earliest shipment we can expect?

B: By the middle of October, I think.

A: That’s too late. You see, November is the season for this commodity in our market, and our customs formalities are rather complicated.

B: I understand.

A: Well, the flow through the marketing channels and the red tape involved take at least a couple of weeks. So, after shipment it will probably be another four to five weeks before the goods can reach our retailers. So the goods really ought to be shipped before October, or we won’t be ready for the season.

B: Our factories are fully committed for the third quarter, in fact, many of our clients are placing orders for delivery in the fourth quarter.

A: Mr. Li, certainly you realize that time of delivery is a matter of great importance to us. If we place our goods on the market at a time when all other importers have already sold their goods at profitable prices, we shall lose out.

B: I see your point. However, we have done more business this year than any of the previous years.  I am very sorry to say that we cannot advance the time of delivery.

A: I’m sorry to hear that. I sincerely hope you will give our request your special consideration.

B: You may take it from me that the last thing we want to do is to disappoint a customer, particularly an old customer like you. But the fact remains that our manufacturers have a heavy backlog on their hands.

A: But can’t you find some way to get round your producers for an earlier delivery? Make a special effort, would you? A timely delivery means a lot to us.

B: All right, Mr. Black. We’ll get in touch with our producers and see what they have to say

 

You are about to sign a sales contract with your client who insists on earlier delivery. Yet your factory’s having a very tight schedule for production. Talk with your client about it and try to come out with a satisfying solution.

 

 

1) It has been several months since we parted at the Guangzhou Fair.

2) When we learned of the mistake, the vessel had left and right now it’s on its way

3) But if you can take the entire consignment, we can allow you a reduced price

4) Another choice is that we ship the surplus shirts back to you, with everything at your expense.

5) I don’t doubt your integrity at all

 

A: Hello. Mr. James. This is Wang Bing calling from Hangzhou, China.

B: Oh, Mr. Wang. It has been several months since we parted at the Guangzhou Fair. What can I do for you?

A: Mr. James, I’m terribly sorry to disturb you, but it’s urgent.

B: How can I help?

A: The total quantity of the shirts we have just shipped to you is messed up. There should have been 1,000 pieces, but owing to a clerical error in the documents, we’ve loaded ten times as much. When we learned of the mistake, the vessel had left and right now it’s on its way. We had no choice but to call you and see whether you could accept the entire lot. I’d appreciate your help very much.

B: The entire lot? Oh, we don’t need that much.

A: I know. But if you can take the entire consignment, we can allow you a reduced price.

B: How much is that?

A: What about10% off?

B: I’m afraid that won’t work. No matter how much is off, we simply cannot find the market for such a huge amount of shirts.

A: Then what can we do? Do you mean that the reduction is too small?

B: I don’t mean that. I just mean that we are unable to dispose of these shirts if we buy them all, whatever price it is, because it may take us quite a long time to sell them out, and this will definitely tie up our money.

A: Mr. James, we are old business partners. Can’t you find some way out for us?

B: I really want to help but I’m afraid we can’t. The best I can do is, if you trust me, to keep the surplus shirts here until there is a market for them. Maybe they can be sold out soon or maybe you will have to wait, for how long I don’t know. But I suggest that after they’re sold, I’ll pay you 85% of their present value, because a storage fee must be deducted. This is one choice. Another choice is that we ship the surplus shirts back to you, with everything at your expense. Which one suits you better?

A: They seem to be the only choices. OK, I’ll take the first one. I’d rather not have the shirts shipped back, because shirts are low value goods, and it will cost more than they are worth for us to take them back.

B: I think so. And I assure you that I will keep my word.

A: I don’t doubt your integrity at all.

 

As soon as the vessel’s on later, you are informed that several cartons are left unloaded, and the whole consignment is in urgent need by you Australian customer. Call your customer to explain this and meanwhile suggest how you will settle the problem.

 

1) So is there any chance if transshipment is allowed?

2) Transshipment will prolong the delivery and is likely to cause damage. So, we still hope a direct shipment could be arranged

3) If the goods can not be put on the market on time, then good quality and competitive price would mean nothing.

4) We really understand your position.

5) We’re only too glad to help you in any way we can.

 

A: Mr. Edward, we were just informed that lately there has been much congestion in shipping.

There are very few direct steamers sailing for your port. So is there any chance if transshipment is allowed?

B: Well, transshipment will prolong the delivery and is likely to cause damage. So, we still hope a direct shipment could be arranged.

A: Now the trouble is that it is very difficult to book shipping space. I’m afraid we can do little about this.

B: You surely know that transshipment adds to the expenses and sometimes may delay the arrival. If the goods can not be put on the market on time, then good quality and competitive price would mean nothing.

A: Yes, we really understand your position. Anyhow, we’ll try. We’ll see whether we can get the cooperation of the China National Chartering Corporation. It has a good reputation for meeting the client’s varied demands.

B: Thank you very much indeed! Can you let me know the result as soon as possible?

A: No problem.

B: All right. We are expecting good news from you.

(The next day)

A: Mr. Edward, I was just informed by the China National Chartering that liner space for America up to be transshipped if you insist on an October shipment.

B: We prefer direct shipment, of course, but if you can’t get hold of a direct vessel, we may agree to have the goods transshipped at Hong Kong to America around mid-October. If you could manage to catch this vessel, everything would be all right.

A: It’s very difficult for us to accept a designated on-carrier. There are so many factors that might make the goods miss the intended departure. Besides, are you sure the vessel will call at San Francisco? And is she already carrying a full load?

B: Let’s hope for the best, but prepare for the worst. If the worst comes to the worst, please ship the goods to Los Angeles. How about Los Angeles as an optional port of destination?

A: Good. Then, what would you say if we put it like this:＂Shipment by first available steamer in October. Port of destination in San Francisco or Los Angeles. Transshipment at Hong Kong allowed.

B: Fine. It seems I have no alternative. Thank you, Mr. Liu. I’m sorry if the arrangements cause you any inconvenience.

A: Oh no, we’re only too glad to help you in any way we can.

 

You are coming to Christmas, when shipment is always congested. Being afraid of failure to book a shipping space, talk with your customer to make transshipment in HONGKONG as an option.

 

1. effect shipment    办理装船，装货

  arrange shipment   安排货运

  expedite shipment   加速装运

  extend shipment     延期装运

  advance shipment    提前装运

  effect  办理， 如：

  effect insurance 办理投拆

  effect delivery  办理交货

  effect payment  办理支付

2. lose out  受损失，亏本

  We will lose out by selling on a falling market.

 市价下跌时， 我们出手会亏本的。

3．It means a lot to us. 这对我们来说很重要。

4．deduct 扣除

  … because a storage fee must be deducted. ….因为要扣除仓储费用。

5. on-carrier 也叫 second carrier 二程船

6．optional port 选择港，任意港

   calling port   停泊港

   port of shipment 装运港

   port of destination 目的港

   loading port      装运港，装港

   unloading port    卸货港

 

1) 你们需要的运输条件是什么？

2) 双方就运输方式达成了协议。

3) 货物已经准备好待装运。

4) 如果你们尽快答复，我们便可以加速装船。

5) 此批货物正在运输途中。

 

1) Could you manage to hasten the delivery?

2) I'm sorry to say that we can't advance the time of delivery.

3) We'd like to designate Shanghai as the loading port because it is near the producing area.

4) So far as I know, there are risks of pilferage or damage to the goods during transshipment in Hong Kong.

5) Partial shipment is allowed.

 

A: I want to thank you for giving us your business. What are the details for this consignment?

B: 是这样的，因为我们必须在月底前把这批货送到客户那里，所以我们想把装船日期订在3月10号。

A: No problem. If we send the consignment on March 10th, it will arrive on March 30th. I'll give you a call to let you know.

B: 好。你能尽快回我电话吗？如果交货日期有所变动的话，我就得马上通知客户。

A: I'll be sure to do that. Can you get the shipping advice in the next two days? I'll need to show them to the shipping company.

B: 我今天会派人处理这件事，明天一早就送过去给你。

 

1. Role-play: Make up a new dialogue (imitating the conversations in the text )and act it before the class.

2. Situational conversation. Compose a conversation with your partner based on the following situation:

You are having a talk with an American merchant about the time of shipment. He asks you to make shipment in July because he wants to catch the brisk demand at the start of the selling season. Owing to the heavy commitment on hand, you are not in a position to do so. You can only promise mid-August.

 

"conference"，‘协会’，在海运业务上是指‘运费同盟’(shipping conference)。"non-"这前缀有‘非’的含意；"line"是指‘定期船’。此种定期船是指未参加运费同盟之船公司所经营的定期商船。由于部份运输业者为求营运免受约束，或因本身条件不符同盟规定，而未参加海运同盟。其力量与组织虽不如同盟业者，但营运则较为自由；而运费多自订或参照运费同盟所订者打折，一般而言较同盟费率低。

 

"port"，‘港口’。‘装货港’又作"port of loading"，为提单上货物装运或船公司装载货物的港口。装货港地点是列在国贸契约或信用状上的装运条件之一，用以预计货物的到达日期，并作为在某港装船的凭证。

 

"lading"为‘装船’，动词是"lade"。"bill of lading"－－提单，简称B/L，是运送人或其它代理人所制发交与托运人的货运收据，也是运送人与托运人协议将货由一处运到另一处的契约凭据。在商业习惯上，专指‘海运提单’，持单人享有提单所载货物的权利，在海运业务习惯上，同一批货有数份正本提单，每份效力皆相同，在货物到达目的港后，仅凭一份即可要求运送人交货，而一经提货，其余各份自动作废失效。

 

"consignment"，在文中是指‘寄送或装出的货物’，与"shipment"（装运的货物）同义。唯在英国，是指除船舶之外以其它运输工具装运的货物。而在商业上，此词常另有两种重要的含义：一是寄售或委托出售；二是寄售或托卖的货物。

依国贸上的习惯，‘装船日期’即指‘交货日期’。虽然‘装船’本义为装货入船，但实务上已解译为‘将货物交付海上运送人、航空公司、邮局或陆上运送人’。故装船与交货实际上已通用。又可称为"date of shipment"。

 

"advice"‘通知、报告’；"shipping advice"又称"notice of shipment"。指出口商向进口商告知货物已于或将于何时何日装运某船的报告。其内容通常包括货名、装运数量、船名、装船日期、契约或信用状号码等。装运通知的作用在便利买方（或进口商）取得保险或准备提货手续时，便于了解装货内容。