外贸货代用语

外贸货代用语
1. “FCL or LCL? That's the big question, y'all!” (Full Container Load or Less than Container Load). For example, a customer calls me and says,
“I've got some goods to ship. I'm not sure if it's better to go FCL or LCL.” And I'm like, “Well, if you'v e got a whole bunch of stuff that can fill up a container, FCL might be your best bet. But if it's just a small amount, LCL could save you some bucks.”
2. “Freight forwarding ain't no rocket science, but it sure has its twists and turns.” Let me tell you a bout this one client. He thought it was gonna be as easy as pie to ship his goods overseas. He said, “Just get it there fast.” I had to explain, “Look, man, there are customs to deal with, different shipping routes, and all kinds of paperwork. It's like
tr ying to navigate through a maze sometimes.”
3. “Oh, the dreaded demurrage fees! They're like little monsters waiting to eat up your profit.” I had a customer who didn't pick up his shipment on time at the port. The shipping company charged him demurrage
fe es. He was so mad and said, “I didn't know these fees were gonna be so high!” I told him, “You gotta be more careful next time. It's like leaving your car in a paid parking lot for too long and getting charged extra.”
4. “Incoterms? They're like the secret code of international trade.”
I was training a new employee once. She was all confused about Incoterms. I said, “Think of them as the rules that tell us who's responsible for what during the shipping process. For example, under FCA (Free Carrier), the seller hands over the goods to the carrier at a named place. It's like passing the baton in a relay race.”
5. “Customs clearance? It can be a real headache or a piece of cake, depending on how prepared you are.” There was this importer who came to me all worr ied. He said, “I'm scared of customs clearance. What if they
reject my goods?” I replied, “If you have all your documents in order, like invoices, packing lists, and certificates, it'll be smooth sailing.
It's like going through airport security. If you've got everything in the right place, you'll zip right through.”
6. “Bill of lading? That's the golden ticket in freight forwarding.” One of my colleagues once lost a bill of lading. He was freaking out. I
told him, “Dude, this is like losing your lottery ti cket. Without it, the consignee can't claim the goods. We gotta find it or get a replacement ASAP.”
7. “Container stuffing? It's an art and a science all in one.” I worked with a shipper who was trying to fit as much as he could into a container. He said, “I want to maximize the space.” I said, “Sure, but you also gotta make sure the goods are packed safely. It's like playing Tetris. You want to fill all the spaces, but you don't want the blocks to fall over.”
8. “Transit time? It's like waiting for a pot t o boil, and sometimes it feels like forever.” A customer was constantly asking me about the transit time of his shipment. He said, “When will it get there?” I said, “Well, it depends on a lot of factors, like the shipping route, weather conditions, and port congestion. It's not always exact. Just like you can't predict exactly when that pot of water will start boiling.”
9. “Ocean freight rates? They can be as unpredictable as the weather.” I was talking to a client about shipping costs. He was shocked when I told him the rate had gone up. He said, “Why is it so high?” I
said, “These rates change all the time. One day it's sunny and cheap, the next day it's stormy and expensive. It's just how the market is.”
10. “Freight forwarders are like the conductors of an international trade orchestra.” I was at a networking event, and someone asked me what a freight forwarder does. I said, “We bring together all the different elements - shippers, carriers, customs agents, etc. Just like a conductor brings together the musicians in an orchestra to create a harmonious performance. Without us, the whole shipping process could turn into a chaotic mess.”
In conclusion, the world of foreign trade freight forwarding is full of unique terms and processes. Understanding these is key to successful international shipping, whether you're a shipper, a consignee, or a freight forwarder yourself.。