Part I　Introduction

1. Packing

In international trade, packing is of great importance. The real art of packing is to get the contents into a nice, compact shape that will protect the commodity and keep it good in quality and intact in quantity during the distribution process. Nothing is more annoying to a buyer than to find his goods damaged or part missing on arrival. In addition, good packing can also raise the market value of the commodity. Therefore, the seller must try to pack the goods such a way that they will go through the ordeal of transport unscathed.

在国际贸易中，除少量商品难以包装或不值得包装而采取裸装或散装方式外，绝大多数商品均需要有适当的包装。包装是国际商品交换不可缺少的重要环节，是联系生产与消费的桥梁。包括不仅起到保护、宣传、美化商品的作用，还可使商品增值。商品包装条款也是合同的要件之一。

2. Shipment

In international trade, there are several means of transportation. Goods can be delivered by sea transport, air transport, road transport and rail transport. Selection of transportation depends on the quantity, the cost and the size of each shipment, the distance of transportation, and the nature of goods.

At the stage of shipment, the buyer and the seller may exchange a series of letters on shipment. Such letters usually include those giving (or sellers asking for) shipping instructions, urging an early shipment, amending shipping terms, booking shipping space or chartering ships, giving shipping advice, acknowledging the receipt of the consignment, dispatching shipping documents, etc.

In order to ensure the safety of the delivery of the goods, numerous documents are required for shipping. The primary documents are bill of lading, commercial invoice, packing list, insurance policy, certificate of inspection, sales contract or sales confirmation, etc.

Documentation must be precise because slight discrepancies or omissions may result in failure in export and nonpayment, or even result in the seizure of the shipment by customs. Most documentation is routine for freight forwarders and customs brokers, but the exporter is ultimately responsible for the accuracy of its contents.

装船是指托运人应将其托运的货物送至码头承运船舶的船边并进行交接，然后将货物装到船上。

3. Shipping advice

Shipping advice is a notice to the importer on summary of the shipment. If a transaction is concluded on a CIF or CFR basis, the exporter should, before or after effecting shipment, notify their dispatch to the importer. In case of CFR transaction, a shipping advice is also necessary for the importer to cover insurance of their goods based on the shipping advice. Moreover, the importer may know when to receive the goods and arrange with a customs broker for the cargo clearance.

Sometimes, Xeroxed copies of the relevant copies of shipping documents are also sent together with the advice to ensure that in case the original is belated, the importer can take delivery with them.

A shipping advice usually includes the following information:

✧ Name of the ship used to dispatch the goods

✧ Name of the goods, the quantity and value

✧ Date and number of Bill of Lading

✧ Date and number of the Contract

✧ Name of the shipping port/loading port

✧ Estimated time of departure (ETD)

✧ Estimated time of arrival

✧ Packing conditions

✧ Whether the draft drawn under the relevant L/C has been negotiated

✧ Together with relevant shipping documents (Xeroxed copies)

✧ Other information as delay of shipment, transshipment or change of L/C

✧ Thanks for patronage

装船通知是指卖方在货物装船后发出的一种通知。其内容包括载货船名、装船日期、货物名称、数量、规格等。在进出口双方签订的合同条款下，无延误地发出装船通知是卖方必须履行的义务之一。

买卖双方签订合同后，出口商备货装运。在货物到达买方之前，可能牵涉到的环节是：买方将包装、装运要求发给卖方；买方催促装运，要求卖方提前或准时装运；卖方发出装船通知；卖方通知买方投保等。不管是哪种情况，在商务信函中一般在开头部分都会提及交易中的商品，再就具体情况提出自己的要求。