Customs tariffs, taxes and duties

10. Read and translate the text:

Customs Documents

The following documents should be presented to the Customs or be enclosed with the accounts when goods are declared:

• Customs declaration, filled in and complete, with customs duties and taxes calculated and entered on the form.
• Bill of Lading, freight document, notice of arrival or similar document issued in connection with buying or selling the goods (one copy will be kept by the Customs if the Customs declaration is surrendered at the customs house).
• Documents of origin when customs clearance of goods from certain countries under the terms for preferential trade is claimed, for example EEC or EFTA countries.
• Licences, permits, etc. for goods which are subject to import restrictions (not all types of goods can be imported freely).
• Other documents requested by the Customs in order to determine the correct customs tariffs (duty rates, etc.), weight, quantity or value of the goods.

Relevant documents are catalogues, folders, weight specifications or contract documents.

11. Give English equivalents of:

счета; заполненная полностью; таможня (здание); на условиях преференциальной торговли; Европейское сообщество; Европейская ассоциация свободной торговли; рекламная книжечка (складывающаяся); разрешение (документ)

12. Retell the text "Customs Documents" enlarging it by any additional information.

 

 

 

EPISODE 2

Customs Control of the Cargo

Customs Officer: Good morning. Who’s the captain here?

Captain: Good morning. My name is Brook. What can I do for you?

Customs Officer: Customs control. Please be ready to complete customs formalities. What cargo do you carry?

Captain: Machinery equipment and chemicals.

Customs Officer: What kind of chemicals?

Captain: Carbon oil¹.

Customs Officer: How is it packed?

Captain: It’s packed in 500 kg drums made of steel, with double hooping as reinforcement².

Customs Officer: Where did you have the cargo loaded and what ports did you call on your way?

Captain: All details of our route as well as the names of the consignor and the consignee are marked in the shipping documents.

Customs Officer: O.K. Can I see them?

Captain: Certainly. Here they are. The Bill of Lading, the Invoice, the Insurance Policy and two Certificates...

Customs Officer: Excuse me, you’ve said you are earring some kind of equipment?

Captain: Right. It’s machinery equipment. And why?

Customs Officer: I can’t see the Test Certificate³.

Captain: But is it necessary? We are delivering this equipment not for the first time.

Customs Officer: Doesn’t matter. The set of the documents⁴ should be complete with each consignment. It’s one of the required formalities which are carried out within the customs regulations⁵. In other case the cargo won’t be cleared.

Captain: I see. Do you need the original?

Customs Officer: Yes. Only original documents are considered to be valid while going through the customs clearance.

Captain: Oh, God! What shall we do then? I will contact with the consignor for this certificate straight away, and no doubt they will sent it by DHL⁶ immediately. But it will take time and our turnround⁷ is only two days. The day after tomorrow the ship is due to sail off. Otherwise we shall have to pay the demurrage⁸ to the shipowner.

Customs Officer: We’ll do it in the following way. I’ll give you a permit for unloading. After unloading the cargo will be stored at the customs warehouse awaiting release from Customs Control.

Captain: And how much are storage charges?

Customs Officer: For three days the cargo is stored free of charge. Then for each day of delay you should pay the penalty⁹ at the rate of $ 60.

Captain: I see. The only thing left is to hope for the good job of the express post.

Customs Officer: Hope dies the last.

Vocabulary Notes on the Text

¹ carbon oil - бензол.

² with double hooping as reinforcement - скрепленные двумя обручами для крепости.

³ the Test Certificate - сертификат заводских испытаний.

⁴ the set of the documents - комплект отгрузочных документов.

⁵ within the customs regulations - в рамках таможенных правил.

⁶ DHL - "Ди-Эйч-Эль" - международная экспресс-почта.

⁷ turnround - время на оборот судна в порту разгрузки, выполнение формальностей и т.д.

⁸ demurrage - плата за простой судна; "демередж".

⁹ penalty - штраф.

 

 

 

Exercises on the Dialogue

1. Read and translate the dialogue.

2. Give the English equivalents of:

таможенный контроль; выполнять  таможенные формальности; маршрут; страховой  полис; сертификат заводских испытаний; комплект отгрузочных документов; иметь  юридическую силу; экспресс-почта; плата за простой судна; судовладелец; бесплатный; штраф

3. What do we call?

1) money paid to a shipowner in accordance with a charter-party if the charterer delays the sailing of the ship;

2) a payment of money for breaking a law;

3) a written document by which the insurer in return for a payment is to pay a certain sum of money if a stated event happens;

4) a regular course taken by a transport service;

5) something that has to de done because a rule has to be obeyed.

4. Explain the meaning of the following terms in English:

cargo; consignor; consignee; customs clearance; demurrage; penalty; permit;

5. Answer the following questions:

1) What are the questions asked by the Customs officer before checking up the documentation?

2) What are the shipping documents?

3) What is marked on the shipping documents?

4) What are the required Customs formalities?

5) What kind of documents are valid?

6) In what cases is the demurrage paid to the shipowner?

7) What did the Customs officer promise to give?

8) What will happen to the cargo after unloading?

6. Reproduce the dialogue in parts.

 

 

Vocabulary and Speech Exercises

7. Conduct the following two-way translation:

1. Через какие таможенные формальности  должен пройти пассажир, прибывающий  в нашу страну или убывающий  из нее?	Like in most countries all formalities through which an incoming/outgoing passenger must pass in Russia, include passport and visa control, health control and customs inspection of the passenger’s baggage.
2. Что конкретно должен делать  человек при въезде или выезде  из страны?	When the passenger enters or leaves the country he must fill in an entry/exit declaration which he must present then to a customs officer.
3. Существуют л и какие-либо  определенные инструкции по заполнению  въездной или выездной декларации?	Yes, certainly. All the points of the declaration should be answered in full words and in block letters.
4. Что именно должен пассажир  указать в декларации?	The passenger is to fill in his name, citizenship, country of residence, permanent address and purpose of his visit. He also should declare all dutiable articles and currency he is having.
5. Что будет, если он не  укажет всю имеющуюся у него валюту в декларации?	Money not declared and therefore concealed from the customs control is liable to confiscation as smuggling. The violation of currency regulations is regarded as a criminal offence.
6. Какова судьба предметов, которые  были указаны в декларации, но вывоз которых или запрещен или ограничен таможней?	Prohibited or restricted articles having been declared are usually detained, and the traveller can collect them on his way back.
7. По предъявлении какого документа  эти вещи выдаются?	On presentation of the entry declaration which must be kept by the passenger for the duration of his stay in the country. He is to present it together with the exit declaration when leaving the country.
8. Какие вопросы может задать  таможенный инспектор пассажиру, проходящему таможенный контроль?	The customs officer may ask the passenger to open, unpack and repack his belongings for inspection. And the owner of the luggage is obliged to answer all the questions on the contents of his luggage and present any article for customs examination.

8. Explain the following terms in English:

confiscation; concealment; customs declaration; customs inspection; currency; offence; prohibited articles; restricted articles; smuggling

 

 

9. Choose corresponding Russian words for:

1) exit declaration	печатными буквами
2) in block letters	полностью
3) criminal offence	въездная декларация
4) concealment	личные принадлежности, вещи
5) belongings	содержимое
6) dutiable	задерживать
7) smuggling	сокрытие
8) passport control	таможенный  досмотр
9) detain	подлежащий обложению пошлиной
10) customs inspection	уголовное преступление
11) entry declaration	паспортный контроль
12) on presentation	по представлению (предъявлению)
13) contents	контрабанда
14) liable	выездная декларация
15) in full	выезжающий
16) outgoing	подлежащий  чему-л.

10. Complete the following sentences:

1) The customs formalities through which all incoming or outgoing passengers must pass include...

2) While entering or leaving the country a passenger must...

3) In the declaration the passenger should fill...

4) All the points of the declaration should be answered...

5) The passenger should declare also...

6) Money not declared is...

7) The violation of currency regulations is...

8) Prohibited or restricted articles are usually...

9) The detained articles are given out on presentation of...

10) The Customs Officer being in charge of the customs inspection may...

 

 

 

11. Complete the dialogues and reproduce them in parts:

A. Customs Inspection of the Baggage

Customs Officer: Will you show your things, please.

Passenger: _____________________________________.

Customs Officer: How many pieces do you have?

Passenger: _______________________________________.

Customs Officer: Do you have anytning to declare?

Passenger: _______________________________________.

Customs Officer: This quantity is not liable to duty. And what do you have in your suitcase?

Passenger: __________________________________________.

Customs Officer: Thank you, that’s all.

Passenger: __________________________________________.

B. Customs Control of the Cargo

Customs Officer: Good morning! I’m here to complete customs formalities. What goods are you carrying?

Captain: ____________________________________.

Customs Officer: Can I see the shipping documents?

Captain: ____________________________________.

Customs Officer: I can’t see the Bill of Lading.

Captain: ____________________________________.

Customs Officer: I see. Do you have any prohibited or restricted goods or live animals?

Captain: ________________________.

Customs Officer: Do you have a certificate for it?

 Captain: ________________________.

Customs Officer: Thank you. Now you can start the unloading. And I’ll have a look around the ship.

12. Translate into English:

a) - У вас есть разрешение на беспошлинный ввоз оборудования?

- Нет, но мы просим вас оказать  нам содействие в получении  разрешения на беспошлинный ввоз.

b) - Вы приняли меры по таможенной очистке?

- Да мы подготовили необходимые  документы. Наш груз не подлежит  обложению таможенными пошлинами.

c) - Вы заполнили таможенную декларацию?

- Да, конечно.

- Предъявите, пожалуйста. У Вас есть  вещи, ограниченные для ввоза  и вывоза за границу?

- Нет, только личные вещи.

- Это необходимо указать в декларации. Напишите "не имею". Вы неправильно  ответили на вопрос пункта 4. Нет, нет, поправки в декларации не разрешаются. Перепишите, пожалуйста.

13. Make up short dialogues discussing the following points:

• 1) the formalities through which incoming/outgoing passengers must pass;
• 2) the main points of the declaration;
• 3) dutiable, prohibited and restricted articles.

WRITING PRACTICE

Shipping and Forwarding¹

A lot of correspondence regarding transport is between firms in the same country: for example, sellers make arrangements with forwarding agents or shipowners, while buyers frequently have to contact agents or carriers in their own country when goods are to be collected from a harbour, airport or railway station.

The seller or buyer - depending upon which party is responsible under the terms of payment for transport arrangements² - has to know how much it will cost to deliver his goods. If he is going to deal with regular shipments between specific ports, he will know the normal freight rates and will be kept informed about the changes. But in other cases he will have to make enquiries, as in the following letters:

1. Dear Sirs,

Please quote us your freight rate for cased machinery equipment³ for shipment from Liverpool to St.Perersburg and let us know when you will be sailing to Russia during the next two months.

Yours faithfully,...

2. Dear Sirs,

We are about to make up an order for a customer in Naples, and in accordance with the terms of the letter of credit the consignment has to be shipped by 23 June at the latest.

Please inform us whether your "Italica" will be able to meet the requirements and kindly quote us a rate for the voyage.

We are looking forward to hearing from you.

Yours faithfully,...

Habitually, a shipping line issues a sailing card that gives particulars of loading and sailing dates of some cargo vessels sailing between some specific countries. If sailings are infrequent, space has to be reserved in advance.

Further you will find the possible replies to the letters 1) and 2):

1. Dear Sirs,

We have received you enquiry of..., and can advise you that our current freight rate⁴ for cased machinery equipment, Liverpool - St.Petersburg, is ... per metric tonne or per 10 cubic metre⁵.

We sail twice a week, and the whole voyage takes five days. We enclose our sailing card for "S.S. Night Star" and our shipping instruction form. We would appreciate it if you would kindly complete and return the latter as soon as possible.

Yours faithfully,...

2. Dear Sirs,

In reply to your letter of ..., we are pleased to inform you that "Italica" will be receiving cargo from 20 to 27 of June inclusive, and is expected to commence loading on 23rd. We see no reason why your goods should not be on board by this date, but suggest that the three containers should be delivered to the ship on the opening date.

We look forward to assisting you. Yours faithfully,...

If the consignor finds the rate acceptable, he will send an advice note⁶ to the shipowning firm or agents:

Dear Sirs,

Thank you for your letter of ... We have noted that your "S.S. Night Star" is receiving cargo for Liverpool on the 9th of this month, and are making arrangements for our equipment to be delivered to the ship.

We are enclosing your shipping instructions form, duly completed.

Yours faithfully,...

After the arrangements have been made, the senders will inform the customers that the merchandise is on the way. This type of communication is known as an advice of dispatch⁷, and normally the information is typed on a printed form and sent together with a cover note⁸.

Vocabulary Notes on the Text

¹ shipping and forwarding - перевозка и экспедиторские операции.

² transport arrangements - обязательства по транспортировке груза.

³ cased machinery equipment - крупное оборудование, упакованное в специальные ящики.

⁴ freight rate - фрахтовая ставка.

⁵ per metric tonne or per 10 cubic metres - за метрическую тонну или за 10м³.

⁶ an advice note - уведомление, извещение.

⁷ an advice of dispatch - уведомление об отгрузке.

⁸ a cover note - свидетельство о временной страховке груза, "ковернот".

 

Exercises

1. Read and translate the text.

2. Translate the following words and phrases and learn their pronunciation:

machinery equipment; voyage; vessel; merchandise; harbour; freight rates; quote; particulars; shipping instructions form; dates of loading; inclusive; cubic metres; frequently; habitually; current; twice; acceptable

3. Give English equivalents of the following Russian words and expressions:

a) железнодорожная станция; регулярные поставки; фрахтовые ставки; судовое расписание; бланк-инструкция по отгрузке; экспедитор; до 27 июня включительно; дата погрузки; груз; должным образом заполненный; по открытой дате

b) договариваться о чём-л.; зарезервировать заранее место для груза; связаться с экспедитором; начать погрузку; выслать документ о временной страховке груза; сообщить о фрахтовой цене; вложить расписание (движения корабля)

4. Answer the following questions:

1) With whom should arrangements be made regarding transport?

2) How can goods be transported?

3) In what case will you know the normal freight rates?

4) What should you do if you are not informed about the changes in sailing dates?

5) What kind of letter should you send if you want to know the freight rate for the shipment of some special equipment?

6) What kind of letter should you send if you want your consignment to be shipped at the nearest possible date?

7) What is a sailing card?

8) What must you do if the sailings are infrequent?

9) What kind of letter would you receive in reply to your enquiry concerning the freight rates?

10) What kind of reply could you receive to your order of cargo shipment on a certain date?

5. Sum up the contents of the text according to the plan:

• 1) The regular actions of customers and carriers regarding the transportation of cargo.
• 2) Different types of enquiry letters.
• 3) Different types of reply letters.

6. Translate the letter from the shipping agent to the exporter paying attention to the underlined words and expressions:

Dear Sirs,

We have proceeded with the shipments of your goods to Roma as requested but regret to inform you that we have encountered a problem.

It would appear that regulations governing the packing of imported goods have recently been modified. On arrival at the port of entry, local customs authorities impounded the landed cargo because the crates were not standard. The goods will be released only if they are repacked and after payment of a special fee imposed for shipments which are resubmitted for clearance.

In view of the fact that your goods must meet a strict delivery deadline we have proceeded with recrating but must warn you of the additional costs incurred.

Yours faithfully...

7. Translate the letter into English:

Уважаемые господа!

Настоящим подтверждаем получение  товаров, которые мы у вас заказывали два месяца тому назад и которые  были вчера доставлены на наш склад.

Количество отгруженного товара совпадает  с отгрузочной накладной. Товар  в отличном состоянии и отвечает нашим требованиям.

Перед тем как оформить новый  заказ, мы хотели бы получить заверение, что вы сможете поставить товар  в строго оговоренный срок.