The basic work flow of a foreign trade salesperson mainly includes six stages: quotation - ordering - payment method - stocking - packaging and customs clearance procedures.
Quote
In the process of international trade, the first step is to inquire about and quote the product. Among them, the quotation for export products mainly includes: product quality grade, product specifications, whether the product has special packaging requirements, the quantity of purchased products, delivery requirements, product transportation methods, product materials, etc. The more commonly used quotations are: FOB delivery on board, CNF cost and freight, CIF cost, insurance and freight, etc.
Order
After the two parties reach an agreement on the quotation, the buyer company will place an order and negotiate with the seller company on some related matters. After the two parties agree on the agreement, they need to sign a "Purchase Contract". In the process of signing the "Purchase Contract", the main contents are negotiated on the name of the product, specifications, quantity, price, packaging, origin, shipment period, payment terms, settlement method, claims, arbitration, etc., and the agreement reached after the negotiation will be written into the "Purchase Contract". This marks the official start of the export business. Usually, the purchase contract is signed in duplicate and the official seals of both parties are affixed to take effect, and each party keeps one copy.
payment method
There are three commonly used international payment methods, namely letter of credit payment, TT payment and direct payment.
1. Payment by letter of credit
Letters of credit are divided into two categories: clean letters of credit and documentary letters of credit. A documentary letter of credit is a letter of credit with specified documents attached, and a letter of credit without any documents is called a clean letter of credit. Simply put, a letter of credit is a guarantee document that guarantees that the exporter can recover the payment for the goods. Please note that the shipment period of the exported goods should be within the validity period of the letter of credit, and the letter of credit must be submitted no later than the validity date of the letter of credit. In international trade, letters of credit are mostly used as a payment method, and the opening date of the letter of credit should be clear, clear and complete.
2.TT payment method
The TT payment method is settled in foreign currency cash. Your customers will remit the funds to the foreign currency bank account designated by your company. You can request the payment to be made within a certain period of time after the goods arrive.
3. Direct payment method
It means that the buyer and the seller deliver the goods and pay for them directly.
Stocking
Stocking plays a vital role in the entire trade process and must be implemented one by one according to the contract. The main contents of stocking are as follows:
1. The quality and specifications of the goods shall be verified in accordance with the requirements of the contract.
2. Quantity of goods: ensure that the quantity requirements of the contract or letter of credit are met.
3. Time for preparing goods: It should be based on the provisions of the letter of credit and combined with the shipping schedule to facilitate the connection between ship and cargo.
Package
You can choose the packaging form (such as carton, wooden box, woven bag, etc.) according to the different goods. Different packaging forms have different packaging requirements.
1. General export packaging standards: Packing is carried out according to the general standards for trade exports.
2. Special export packaging standards: Export goods are packaged according to the special requirements of customers.
3. The packaging and marks (transportation marks) of the goods should be carefully checked and verified to ensure that they comply with the provisions of the letter of credit.
Customs clearance procedures
Customs clearance procedures are extremely complicated yet extremely important. If customs clearance cannot be completed smoothly, the transaction cannot be completed.
1. Export commodities subject to statutory inspection must obtain an export commodity inspection certificate. At present, there are four main links in the inspection of import and export commodities in my country:
Accept inspection: Inspection refers to the foreign trade parties applying for inspection from the commodity inspection agency.
Sampling: After accepting the inspection report, the commodity inspection agency will promptly send personnel to the cargo storage location to conduct on-site inspection and identification.
Inspection: After accepting the inspection application, the commodity inspection agency will carefully study the inspection items reported and determine the inspection content. It will also carefully review the contract (letter of credit) regulations on quality, specifications, and packaging, clarify the basis for inspection, and determine the inspection standards and methods. (Inspection methods include sampling inspection, instrument analysis inspection, physical inspection, sensory inspection, microbiological inspection, etc.)
Issuance of certificate: In terms of export, for all export commodities listed in the "category list", after being inspected and qualified by the commodity inspection agency, a release note will be issued (or a release stamp will be stamped on the export goods declaration form to replace the release note).
2. A professional person holding a customs declaration certificate must go to the customs to handle customs clearance procedures with the packing list, invoice, customs declaration power of attorney, export settlement verification form, copy of the export goods contract, export commodity inspection certificate and other documents.
Packing list: The packing details of export products provided by the exporter.
Invoice: Proof of export of products provided by the exporter.
Customs declaration letter of authorization: a certificate issued by an organization or individual without customs declaration capability to entrust a customs declaration agency to do the declaration.
Export Verification Form: A document applied for by exporting units at the State Administration of Foreign Exchange, which refers to a form of document used by export-capable units to obtain export tax rebates.
Commodity Inspection Certificate: It is a general term for various import and export commodity inspection certificates, appraisal certificates and other certificates obtained after passing the inspection by the entry-exit inspection and quarantine department or its designated inspection agency. It is a valid document with legal basis for the parties involved in foreign trade to fulfill their contractual obligations, handle claims, disputes, negotiations and arbitration, and provide evidence in litigation. It is also a necessary certificate for customs clearance, tariff collection and preferential tariff reduction and exemption.
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