Import & Export

100 lessons

1draft foreign trade contractFree 2check commercial invoice 3prepare packing list 4apply for certificate of origin 5bill of lading has incorrect name 6send document copies to customer 7check international trade terms 8apply for automatic import license 9documents are lost 10sign sales contract 11send original documents via express mail 12amend payment terms 13check packing list 14bill of lading information mismatch 15certificate of quality has issues 16translate foreign documents 17review incurred costs 18confirm contract validity period 19customer requests change in delivery terms 20store customs records 21contact shipping line for freight rates 22book next week's vessel 23request extended container demurrage 24cargo was rolled over at port 25check vessel schedule 26container is dented and damaged 27switch to air freight 28hire full-service logistics company 29truck arrived late to pick up goods 30check current container location 31request to postpone delivery date 32stuff container at warehouse 33drop container at port yard on time 34vessel changed arrival schedule 35storage costs are too high 36goods are short when unloading container 37send vessel arrival notice to customer 38seal container carefully 39weigh total container weight 40charter an entire vessel for cargo 41transmit electronic customs declaration 42declaration cleared green channel 43declaration flagged for yellow channel 44customs requests cargo inspection 45applied wrong HS code 46check import duty rate 47declare customs value 48goods detained at border gate 49explain origin to customs 50pay import-export duties today 51submit paper documents to customs 52goods cleared customs successfully 53conduct specialized plant quarantine inspection 54fined for incorrect cargo description 55obtain delivery order from shipping line 56apply for food safety certificate 57customs rejects declared value 58cancel old customs declaration 59amend declaration information 60take cargo samples for acceptance testing 61open letter of credit at bank 62check letter of credit terms 63letter of credit is invalid 64transfer payment via bank 65customer requests deferred payment 66send request to amend letter of credit 67receive thirty percent deposit 68bank refuses payment 69endorse bill of lading to pick up goods 70pay bank document fees 71reconcile international payment amount 72foreign exchange rates fluctuate sharply 73send bank guarantee to customs 74claim compensation from agent 75check beneficiary account information 76use D/P (Documents Against Payment) collection method 77receive payment notification from bank 78customer delays payment 79refund payment deposit 80settle international payment records 81goods damaged by seawater 82purchase export cargo insurance 83file claim against shipping line 84goods broken inside container 85take photos of cargo damage scene 86contact insurance agent for survey 87goods delivered to wrong port 88reefer container temperature increased 89cargo damage report completed 90seaport is on strike 91bad weather prevents vessel from docking 92goods confiscated by customs 93customer refuses to accept goods 94return goods to country of origin 95insurance company refuses compensation 96significant shortage compared to invoice 97goods molded due to high humidity 98cargo truck overturned on the road 99seal is broken 100resolve dispute through arbitration

Frequently asked questions

What should I prepare when starting to learn specialized Chinese for import and export?

Learning import–export Chinese is a practical choice for people doing international business with China. To start well, prepare three things: a clear goal, a situation-based method and suitable listening and speaking tools.

For your goal, identify which stage of the import–export chain you work in: sourcing, quoting, negotiation, shipping or customs. Each stage uses a different vocabulary set, so learning the right one lets you use it sooner. If you are in export sales, prioritize quotations, payment terms and client care; if you are in logistics, learn shipping documents, packing and shipment tracking.

For the method, the most effective way to learn import–export Chinese is through real dialogues: a quotation call, an email about terms, or a partner meeting. Learning whole sentences builds context and faster reactions than studying single words. Do not neglect listening — Chinese speakers often answer quickly and may use regional accents.

For tools, choose a course with clear audio and speaking practice with scoring so you can correct pronunciation. On Haohin, the specialized Chinese program includes import–export, trade and logistics lessons with vocabulary, role-play dialogues and speaking practice, suited to sales, sourcing and shipping staff working with Chinese partners.

Which import–export specialized Chinese situations should staff learn first?

For import–export staff, do not study broadly. Follow the situations that appear daily, in this priority order.

1. Quoting and asking for prices. This is the most common situation: presenting products, offering a price, asking about quantity and delivery time. Mastering these phrases makes you proactive from the first call with Chinese customers or suppliers.

2. Negotiating terms. After price come the terms: discounts, payment methods (T/T, L/C), delivery deadlines and shipping responsibility. Learn to propose, concede and decline politely to keep long-term relationships.

3. Shipping and documents. Learn vocabulary for bills of lading, packing, freight and shipment tracking. This group helps you coordinate with logistics and update customers on shipment status.

4. Customs and international payment. Even if not needed daily, you still want phrases for declarations, inspections and payment confirmation to handle them when they arise.

One small tip: also learn communication culture. Chinese partners value titles and opening pleasantries, so a few polite greetings done correctly create strong goodwill when negotiating in import–export Chinese. On Haohin, lessons are built around this situation chain so you can practise step by step and apply it immediately at work.