BEC Enquiry &外贸中常见英文缩略词

Unit 3 Enquiry
I. Introduction of Enquiry
An enquiry is made to seek a supply of products, service or information. In order to obtain the needed information, the enquirer should state simply, clearly and concisely what he wants – general information, a catalogue or price list, a sample, a quotation, etc. Enquiries should be specific and provide the necessary details to enable the receiver to answer the questions completely.
1. Types
1）General Enquiry: asking for common data, such as catalogue, price list, sample and pictures, etc..
2) Specific Enquiry: specifically enquiry about name of commodity, specifications, quantity, unit price, date of shipment, payment terms and packing, etc..
2. Structure
1) If the seller is the buyer’s constant supplier,
(1) State the goods and services you are interested in.
(2) Request for catalogue, price list, sample and terms of transaction, etc.
(3) Expectation for paying attention to your enquiry and giving you an early reply.
2) If the seller is your new supplier,
(1) Express that you would like to establish business relationship with him.
(2) Request for catalogue, price list, sample and terms of transaction, etc.
(3) Expectation for paying attention to your enquiry and giving you an early reply.
Inquiries should be written concisely and clearly to the point. The reply to an enquiry should be prompt and courteous and cover all the information asked for.
II. Words and Expressions
1. Appreciate
We appreciate your kind cooperation.
We shall appreciate it if you will send us a sample book soon.
We shall appreciate your sending us a sample book soon.
为了表示客气，还可以使用虚拟式句子：
We shall appreciate it if you would send us a sample book soon..如能立即将样品簿寄来，我们将不胜感激。

外函中表示感激的表达方式还有：
We should be thankful if you would ......
We should be grateful if you would .......
We should be obliged if you would .......
2. Enquiry:
1) to enquire for 询购
A client of mine enquires for 100 cases Black Tea.
We are in receipt of your letter of June 12, enquiring for our black tea.
2) to make (send) enquiry for 询购
Upon receipt of your catalogue, we’ll make enquiry for the item s which are of interest to us.
3）to have an enquiry for 有……的询盘
We have an enquiry for 50 tons of chemical fertilizer.
3. quotation n. 询价
1）to quote sb. a price for sth. 向某人报……价
In reply to your enquiry dated Dec.10, we quote you the price CFR Hamburg for 5 M/T Walnut meat. 现回复贵方12 月10日询盘，报5 公吨核桃仁CFR 汉堡价。

We take pleasure in quoting you our lowest price for black tea.
2）to quote for sth. at …报某货物价
We quote for this article (at) US$10 per case FOB Shanghai.
3）to send (make, give) sb. one’s (best, lowest) quotation for…向某人报……（最低价）
Thank you for your enquiry of May 21 and we are pleased to send
you our best quotation for Men’s Shirts.
4. irrevocable L/C: 信用证一经开出，在有效期内才经出口商及有关当事人同意，开证行不得片面撤销或修改信用证。

这对出口商提供了比较可靠的收款保证，所以在进出口业务中使用最广。

Revocable L/C: 开证行可以不事先征得出口方同意，有权随时修改或撤销信用证。

5. discount 折扣
打折扣：Make / give / grant sth.××% discount
This waterproof garment was given 10% discount.
6. Inclusive adj. =Inclusive of=including
III. Useful Sentences
1. We sell various kinds of furniture in USA. Please quote best price CFR Hong Kong for your furniture and tell us the earliest possible date of delivery.
2. Some of our customers are interested in your products and we wish to have your CIF quotations with samples and full particulars.
3. Upon receipt of this letter, please send us some samples of your products and two copies of brochure without delay.
4. If you quote reasonable prices, we shall place large orders with you in future.
5. We are interested in the mechanical toys demonstrated at the
recent Guangzhou Trade Fair and should be glad to have details of your export terms.
6. We would appreciate your sending us a catalogue of your leather shoes together with terms of payment and the largest discount you can allow us.
IV. Sample Writings
Sample 1 Specific Enquiry
Dear Sirs,
We are glad to note from your letter of May 19 that, as an exporter of Chinese silk goods, you are desirous of entering into direct business relations with us. This happens to coincide with our interest.
At present, we are interested in Printed Shirting and shall be pleased to receive from you by airmail catalogues, samples and all necessary information regarding these goods so as to acquaint us with the quality and workmanship of your supplies. Meanwhile, please quote us your lowest price CIF Dublin, Ireland, inclusive of our 5 percent commission, stating the earliest date of shipment. Should your prices be found competitive and delivery date acceptable, we intend to place a large order with you.
We trust you will give us an early reply.
Yours faithfully,
Sample 2 Reply to Inquiry
Dear Sir，
We were very pleased to receive your letter of April 5 answering our advertisement for typewriters and, as requested, enclose a copy of our latest illustrated catalogue and current price list.
We think the “Portable 95” is a machine that would suit your purpose very well. It weighs 6.5 kg and is a bit heavier than the usual portable, but it is good for heavy duty and at the same time conveniently portable when carried in its case. We have one of these machines in stock and we shall be pleased to arrange for you to try it.
Although costs have been rising since March, we have not yet raised our prices, but may have to do so when present stocks run out. We therefore advise you to place your order with us at once.
Yours faithfully
V. Homework
Write an inquiry letter with the following information.
1) The name of the commodity you want: a certain kind of Household Electrical Appliance
2) You ask for the:
a. Specification
b. Sample books
c. Price list
d. Payment terms
e. Delivery date
f. Other information
附：外贸中常见英文缩略词
1 C&F (cost & freight) 成本加运费价
2 T/T (telegraphic transfer) 电汇
3 D/P (document against payment) 付款交单
4 D/A (document against acceptance) 承兑交单
5 C.O (certificate of origin) 一般原产地证
6 G.S.P. (generalized system of preferences) 普惠制
7 CTN/CTNS (carton/cartons) 纸箱
8 PCE/PCS (piece/pieces) 只、个、支等
9 DL/DLS (dollar/dollars) 美元
10 DOZ/DZ (dozen) 一打
11 PKG (package) 一包，一捆，一扎，一件等
12 WT (weight) 重量
13 G.W. (gross weight) 毛重
14 N.W. (net weight) 净重
15 C/D (customs declaration) 报关单
16 MAX (maximum) 最大的、最大限度
17 MIN (minimum) 最小的，最低限度
18 M 或MED (medium) 中等，中级的
19 M/V (merchant vessel) 商船
20 S.S (steamship) 船运
21 MT或M/T (metric ton) 公吨
22 DOC (document) 文件、单据
23 P/L (packing list) 装箱单、明细表
24 INV (invoice) 发票
25 PCT (percent) 百分比
26 EMS (express mail special) 特快专递
27 STL. (style) 式样、款式、类型
28 S/M (shipping marks) 装船标记
29 PR或PRC (price) 价格
30 PUR (purchase) 购买、购货
31 S/C (sales contract) 销售确认书
32 L/C (letter of credit) 信用证
33 B/L (bill of lading) 提单
34 FOB (free on board) 离岸价
35 CIF (cost, insurance & freight) 成本、保险加运费价
36 Exp=Expense 花费，费用
37 TC=total cost 总费用
38 FC=fixed cost 常设费用
39 VC=variable cost 变动费用
40 Rev=revenue 利润
41 MR=marginal revenue 利润差额
42 A/R=acount receivable 待收款（销售后，记账以后收取。

）
43 A/P=account payable 代付费（花费后记账，以后付费。

）
44 N/I=net income 纯收入
45 AMT=amount 数额
46 DCT=discount 打折。