进出口交易通常先从市场调查开始,然后建立业务关系,接着是询盘(enquiries),报价(quotations)和发盘(offers),接受 (acceptance),发货(delivery of goods),押汇(negotiation for documents).而对于一笔特定的交易而言,询盘则是商业谈判中实质性的第一步.

询盘是指交易的一方欲购买或售出某种商品,向对方询问买卖该种商品的各项交易条件(如商品的品质,规格,价格,装运等).询盘实质上是邀请对方发盘(invitation of offers),在商法上属于邀请要约.

询盘,又称为询价,可以分成两种.一种只询问价格,索取商品目录或样品,被称为一般询盘(General Enquiries);另一种询盘则包括特定商品的各项交易条件,被称为具体询盘(Specific Enquiries).

如果只向对方索取价目表或商品目录,则用一个单句表达即可.如果要求对方报价和列出其他贸易条件,则需要叙述得详细一点.但是,没有必要特意挑选很漂亮的词句去吸引对方的注意.一个好的询价应该是简洁,明确,合理和到点的.

例1

June 11, 1999

Gentlemen:

We have seen your advertisement in the Overseas Daily News concerning the new fabrics now available.

We should be obliged if you would send us your pattern books showing the complete range of these fabrics together with your price list.

Please note that we are in importer of quality clothing materials, and have large annual requirements for our many outlets throughout HongKong.

Yours faithfully

Notes: We should be obliged if.... 如....不胜感激

pattern books 介绍(纺织品)花色的小册子

complete range 全部产品种类

outlets 店铺,铺面

例 2

July 15, 1998

Dear Sirs

Re: Tung Oil Bulk (Ex Work)

We thank you for your letter dated July 2 informing us that you intend to develop business with us in the line of the captioned goods.

We have some plan using the half-container for carry the Tung Oil. Could you let us have your quotation for said goods at Ex Works price for shipment in September, 1998. If you can supply it under this condition, our first order quantity will be 120 metric tons.

We look forward to receiving your favorable and prompt reply.

Yours faithfully

Notes: Tung Oil 桐油

in bulk 散装的,大量的

line : type of business 行业

e.g. We have been in the chemical line for many years.

captioned goods 标题所指的货物

said goods 上述的货物

quote...at Ex Works price 按工厂交货价报价. Ex Works(工厂交货)为13种贸易术语中买方承担责任最少的一种.

metric tons M/T 公吨

更多的例句:

-Please inform us on what terms you can supply your electric fans.

请告知你们电扇的供货条件.

-We would appreciate it very much if you would send us the latest patterns and the price lists of your cotton underwear as advertised in the magazine Fashion Industry.

如蒙惠赐回复,告知贵公司刊登在服装业杂志的棉制内衣的最新式样和价目表,不胜感激.

-Kindly let us know at what price per ton, and upon what terms of payment, you are avle to deliver quantities of the best refined loaf sugar.

惠请告知贵方特级块状精糖,若大宗供货,每吨的价格以及付款条件.

-Kindly quote us your keenest prices for the goods listed below:

敬请报来下列商品的最低价格.

-Please let us know their prices including packing and delivery to our warehous.

请告知这些货物的价格,包括包装和运到我方仓库的价格在内.