国际商务函电：Chapter 11.pptVIP

 Overview Importance Shipment plays a very important role in international trade because, without shipment, transactions cannot be concluded, delivery not effected and circulation of commodities between countries not realized. Methods Carriage of goods can take place by sea, rail, air, road, inland waterway and parcel post, but sea transport is still the most widely used mode of transportation in international trade, with advantages of easy passage, large capacity and low cost. A Bill of Lading A bill of lading is a receipt for goods shipped on board a vessel, signed by person who contracts to carry them, and stating the conditions in which the goods were delivered to the ship. It is a document of title to the goods, enabling the shipper or owner of the goods to endorse title to other parties, sell goods in transit, and present to banks with other documents in seeking payment under documentary credits. Clauses of Shipment Shipment means that the seller fulfills his obligation to load goods into the named carrier at the given place and the time stipulated in the contract. 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, dispatch and demurrage, etc. and specify them in the sales contract. Clear stipulation of the shipment clause is an important condition for the smooth execution of the contract. Parities Involved in the Shipment The consignor, carrier and consignee are the three parties involved in the shipment of goods. Shipment covers rather a wide range of work, such as booking shipping space, chartering ships, making customs declaration, etc. General Process of Shipment Before shipment, the buyers generally send their shipping requirements to the sellers, informing them in writing of the packing and marking, mode of transportation, etc. and the sellers should send shipping advice to the buyers immediately after the goods are loaded