Commercial Correspondence

Unit 6

Transportation
(contd.)
 Forwarding Agents

Forwarding agents: arrange both import and

export shipments. Their services can include:
collecting the consignment

arranging shipment

packing and handling (if required)

arranging documentation

arranging delivery of the consignment

2
 Air Transport

Air Waybill:
Formerly known as Air Consignment Note
Like the B/L, the air waybill serves as a

receipt for the goods taken on board and is

evidence of the contract of carriage.
Unlike the B/L, the air waybill is only a receipt,
not a document of title and cannot be
transferred to another person.
3
Practice 5: Forwarding agent’s advice to supplier

Dear Mr Smith
Thank you for informing us that the items ordered on
16 October are ready now for collection.
Please arrange to send the consignment by road to
Saigon port to be shipped by SS AB, due to sail for
London on 25 November and to load at No. 5 Dock
from 20 to 24 November inclusive. All cases should
be clearly marked and numbered as shown in our
official order.

4
Practice 5: Forwarding agent’s advice to supplier

The invoice, in triplicate, and your account for

transportation charges (freight account), should be
sent to us. All the necessary arrangements have been
made with the shipping company (line).
Yours sincerely

5
Practice 6: Exporter’s advice of shipment to buyer
Dear Mr/Mrs Simpson
Order No. 767
We are pleased to inform you that the bulldozers
under the above order have been dispatched as
arranged.
The bulldozers are packed into 4 cases, two to a case.
The cases are marked DEF, and numbered 1 to 4.
The consignment is shipped by the MV Merchant
Prince which sailed from London yesterday and is
due to arrive at Saigon port on 9 November 20__.
6
Practice 6: Exporter’s advice of shipment to buyer
Clean shipped on board Bills of Lading in complete
set , together with the commercial invoice and
insurance policy (certificate), both in triplicate, have
been handed to ABC Bank together with our sight
draft for $ …, in accordance with the terms of the L/C
opened with ABC Bank. ABC Bank has paid the sum
(has made payment).
We are sure that you will be satisfied with the
consignment.
Yours sincerely

7
Practice 7: Request for a quotation for delivery by air
through a forwarding agent
Dear Sir/ Madam
We shall shortly have a consignment of hair driers
weighing about 20 kilos, for a customer in Vietnam,
which we wish to send by air from London.
We should be glad if you would handle the consignment,
but first please let us have the details of the cost and of
any formalities to be observed (performed). The invoice
value of the consignment is £848.00 and we should
require insurance for this amount plus the freight
charges.
Yours faithfully
8
Practice 8: Translate sentences
1. We thank you for your enquiry of 12 January and
are pleased to quote as follows for the shipment
of crystal wares to VN.
2. We shall be glad to know your sailing times and
frequency.
3. In reply to your enquiry of 15 July regarding
(asking about) sailings to Johannesburg in August,
we are glad to inform you that the MS Lotus will
be loading at Haiphong port from 6 to 12 August
inclusive.

9
Practice 8: Translate sentences
4. Thank you for your letter of Feb 7 notifying the
shipment by the MS Eagle of 32 cases of ceramic
vases.
5. In reply to your email message of today, we can
quote £275.00 for picking up and delivering your
consignment to the consignee’s premises. This
includes loading and unloading (handling fees),
plus insurance, and is valid with immediate effect
until 14 April 2011.

10