DIALOGUE. Read the dialogue “ Shipping” in pairs and do the following exercises.

Read the dialogue “ Shipping” in pairs and do the following exercises.

Jones:... So you feel that the documentation isn't complete yet?

Brown: No, I'm afraid not. I'm not at all sure what transport has been arranged to get the goods to Southampton.

Jones: I'll ask our shipper - we're using Carson and Napier this time - and I'll get them to let you know.

Brown: Please make sure that we get a list of the marks stenciled on the container.

Jones: Yes, I'll do that. And we have the export licence, which we'll send on to you. We've made the declaration at the consulate, so we're getting the consular invoices which will confirm the ex-works cost of the consignment. Will you send it through to the importing customs authorities, or shall we?

Brown: We'll do that for you. Have you sent a copy, with the other documents, to your banks so that they can present them all through the Bank of South America?

Jones: Not yet, because there's been a delay with the bill of lading. For some reason they've put the wrong number of packages on it, so we're just waiting for that to be cleared up. We'll get it off as soon as we can.

Brown: Good. And there should be no trouble with the terms since they've already seen a pro forma invoice.

Jones: No, there was no problem at all.

EXPLANATORY NOTES:

An import/export transaction usually requires a lot of complicated documentation. Many different arrangements have to be made and this can be difficult when one firm is dealing with another firm on the other side of the world.

Many specialists may be involved, including:

1 A shipping agent and/or a freight forwarder (forwarding agent) who takes responsibility for the documentation and arranges for the goods to be shipped by air, sea, rail or road. These services may also be carried out by the supplier's own export department, if they have the expertise.

2 Airlines, shipping lines, railways or road haulage firms to transport the goods.

3 Both the importer's and exporter's banks will be involved in arranging payments if a letter of credit or bill of exchange is used.

4 Customs officers who may examine the goods, check import or export licences and charge duty and/or VAT.

5 The manufacturer or a Chamber of Commerce to issue a Certificate of Origin, if this is required by the importer's country.

6 An insurance company or insurance broker to insure goods in transit.

7 An export credit insurance company (such as Hermes in Germany).

8 A lawyer if a special contract has to be drawn up.

Different documents may be needed, for example:

Bill of Lading Dangerous Goods Note

Sea Waybill Air Waybill

Shipping Note Certificate of Insurance

Ex. 1. Conversation in context.

1. Who of the speakers is the supplier?

2. In what country is the firm exporting the goods situated?

3. What kind of transport are they going to use to get the goods to Southampton?

4. What documents are necessary to ship the goods to a foreign country?

Ex. 2. Read the dialogue aloud with a classmate. Fill in the missing words.

Jones:... So you feel that the _______isn't complete yet?

Brown: No, I'm afraid not. I'm not at all sure what transport has been ___ to get the _____ to Southampton.

Jones: I'll ask our shipper - we're using Carson and Napier this time - and I'll get them to _____you know.

Brown: Please make_____ that we get a list of the marks stenciled on the ________ .

Jones: Yes, I'll do that. And we have the ______ license, which we'll send on to you. We've made the declaration at the______, so we're getting the consular invoices, which will confirm the ex-works cost of the_____-. Will you send it through to the importing customs______, or shall we?

Brown: We'll do that for you. Have you sent a copy, with the other______, to your banks so that they can ____them all through the Bank of South America?

Jones: Not yet, because there's been a delay with the bill of______. For some reason they've put the wrong number of ______on it, so we're just waiting for that to be cleared up. We'll get it off as _____as we can.

Brown: Good. And there should be no _____with the terms since they've already seen a pro forma_____.

Jones: No, there was no _____at all.

Ex.3. Work in pairs. Make up your own dialogues on analogy.