- •Vocabulary Notes on the Text
- •Exercises on the Text
- •8. Retell the text according to the following plan:
- •Vocabulary and Speech Exercises
- •9. Insert appropriate prepositions:
- •10. Give the English equivalents of:
- •11. What do we call?
- •12. Read and translate the following text using a dictionary if necessary:
- •13. Choose corresponding Russian terms for:
- •Answer the following questions:
- •15. Say whatever you know about:
- •Episode 2 Free Economic Zones (fez)
- •Vocabulary Notes on the Text
- •Exercises on the Dialogue
- •Read and translate the dialogue.
- •Give English equivalents of the following Russian phrases:
- •3. Answer the following questions:
- •4. Retell the dialogue:
- •Vocabulary and Speech Exercises
- •5. Read and translate the following dialogue. Report it as close to the text as possible.
- •6. Explain the meaning of the following terms in English:
- •7. Make up sentences of your own to illustrate the meaning of the following terms:
- •Give a free translation of the following text in English in the form of a dialogue between a customs official and an interviewer. Work in pairs:
- •Writing practice Despatch of Goods: Packing and Marking
- •Vocabulary Notes on the Text
- •Exercises
- •7. Answer these questions:
- •8. Insert appropriate words given below and translate the letter:
- •9. Translate into English:
- •Make up a letter from your firm to an English engineering firm ordering some special machine. Give packing and marking instructions.
- •Write a letter of order using the information given below and some other details about packing and marking given in the main text.
- •Speech practice
- •1. Role-play. Express your agreement with the following statements. Add whatever information you can. Use the following formulas of agreement:
- •2. What do you think would happen if:
- •3. Role simulation. Discuss the following points:
- •4. Make up a report on one of the following topics:
- •Unit 2 episode 1 Export-Import Documentation
- •Vocabulary Notes on the Text
- •Exercises on the text
- •5. Answer the following questions:
- •6. Sum up the contents of the text according to the following plan:
- •Vocabulary and Speech Exercises
- •7. Read and translate the following:
- •8. Ask questions in English to which the following Russian sentences are the answers and supply the answers:
- •9. Denote the following by a single word:
- •Read and translate the text: Customs Documents
- •12. Say whatever you can about:
- •13. Retell the text "Customs Documents" enlarging it by any additional information. Episode 2 Customs Control of the Cargo
- •Vocabulary notes on the text
- •Exercises on the Dialogue
- •Read and translate the dialogue.
- •Give the English equivalents of:
- •3. What do we call?
- •4. Explain the meaning of the following terms in English:
- •5. Answer the following questions:
- •6. Reproduce the dialogue in parts.
- •Vocabulary and Speech Exercises
- •7. Conduct the following two-way translation:
- •8. Choose corresponding Russian words for:
- •9. Explain the following terms in English:
- •10. Complete the following sentences:
- •11. Complete the dialogues and reproduce them in parts:
- •Customs Inspection of the Baggage
- •12. Translate into English:
- •13. Make up short dialogues discussing the following points:
- •Writing practice Shipping and Forwarding1
- •Vocabulary Notes on the Text
- •Exercises
- •1. Read and translate the text.
- •2. Translate the following words and phrases and learn their pronunciation:
- •3. Give English equivalents of the following Russian words and expressions:
- •4. Answer the following questions:
- •5. Sum up the contents of the text according to the plan:
- •6. Translate the letter from the shipping agent to the exporter:
- •7. Translate the letter into English:
- •Write a letter to a firm of shipping agents in Finland and ask them to quote for the collection of some cases of tools from a firm in Helsinki and the shipment of them to your nearest port.
- •1. Role-play. Agree or disagree with the following statements. Give your reasons. Use these formulas:
- •2. Say a few words about:
- •3. .Express your views on the following statements:
- •4. Role simulation. Make up dialogues on the topics below and act them out.
- •Vocabulary Notes on the Text
- •Exercises on the Text
- •5. Sum up the contents of the text according to the plan:
- •Vocabulary and Speech Exercises
- •6. Complete the following sentences using appropriate words and word expressions below:
- •7. Give English equivalents of:
- •8. Make up questions in English to which the following Russian sentences would be the answers. Do a two-way translation, using both the statements and the questions:
- •9. Say a few words about:
- •10. Give a free translation of the following:
- •11. Speak on:
- •Episоde 2 a Fresh Look at Customs Intelligence1.
- •Vocabulary Notes on the Dialogue
- •Exercises on the Dialogue
- •1. Read and translate the dialogue.
- •2. Find in the text English equivalents of the
- •3. Answer the following
- •4. Sum up tbe contents of the dialogue according to the plan:
- •Vocabulary and Speech Exercises
- •5. Read and translate the following text:
- •6. Give English equivalents to the following words and phrases from the text above:
- •7. Give the main ideas of the text of Exercise 5 in the form of a dialogue an interviewer and a customs official. Use the collocations of Exercise 6.
- •8. Complete the following dialogue:
- •9. Translate into English:
- •10. Conduct a two-way translation:
- •Writing practice Chartering of Ships
- •Vocabulary Notes on the Text
- •Exercises
- •5. Sum up the contents of the text according to the following plan:
- •6. Translate the following letter
- •7. Write to some ship brokers and ask them to charter a ship for loading of a cargo of oil; give them necessary particulars about port and time.
- •8. Write a letter from a ship broker concerning the shipment to the usa and point out the need for speed because of the probable closing of certain ports due to ice. Speech practice
- •1. Agree with the following statements. Enlarge upon the matter:
- •2. Discuss the following points:
- •3. Speak about:
- •4. Make up dialogues and act them in pairs:
- •Vocabulary Notes on the Text
- •Exercises on the Text
- •1. Read and translate the text.
- •2. Translate the following words and learn their pronunciation:
- •3. Give English equivalents of the following:
- •4. Explain the meaning of the following in English:
- •5. Answer the following
- •Vocabulary and Speech Exercises
- •6. Fill in the required prepositions:
- •7. Read and translate the text. Pay attention to the words in bold type:
- •8. Give English equivalents to the following Russian terms:
- •9 What do we call?
- •10 Translate into English:
- •Episode 2 Terms of Payment Over a Phone
- •Vocabulary Notes on the Text
- •Exercises on the Dialogue
- •Vocabulary and Speech Exercises
- •7. Read and translate the following dialogue. Act it out in pairs.
- •8. Give English equivalents of the following:
- •9. Translate into English:
- •Writing practice Settlement of Accounts
- •Vocabulary Notes on the Text
- •Exercises
- •1. Read and translate the Text.
- •2. Translate the following words and learn their pronunciation:
- •3. Give English equivalents for the following:
- •4. Answer the following questions:
- •5. Fill in the necessary prepositions:
- •6. Translate the letter into English:
- •Speech practice
- •2. Say a few words about:
- •Vocabulary Notes on the Text
- •Exercises on the Text
- •1. Read and translate the text.
- •2. Translate the following words and learn their pronunciation:
- •3. Answer the following questions:
- •Vocabulary and Speech Exercises
- •Read and translate the text using the dictionary if necessary:
- •11. Ask eight questions about the previous text.
- •12. Give a free translation of the text:
- •13. Speak about insurance in Russia, using the vocabulary of Episode 1 and Exercise 12. Episode 2 Making an Insurance Claim
- •Vocabulary Notes on the Text
- •Exercises on the Dialogue
- •Vocabulary and Speech Exercises
- •9. Read and translate the following dialogue:
- •10.Give English equivalents of the following:
- •11. Report the dialogue in detail:
- •12. Translate into English:
- •Writing practice Complaints and Replies to Complaints
- •Vocabulary Notes on the Text
- •Exercises
- •Read and translate the text.
- •Answer the following questions:
- •Translate into English:
- •Speech practice
- •I don' think so.
- •2. What do you think could happen if:
- •3. Role simulation. Discuss in the form of the dialogue:
- •4. Speak on the following topics:
UNIT 1
CUSTOMS TARIFFS, TAXES AND DUTIES
EPISODE 1
Customs Tariffs in Russia
In every country import-export rates are supposed to fulfil four functions:
to protect home producers from foreign competition in order to increase their own competitiveness in the domestic market;
to limit exporting products in which there is a shortage in this country and to regulate foreign trade transactions for political interests;
to supply local consumers, both legal entities and individuals1, with products which are not produced in this country or produced insufficiently;
• to provide the state budget with additional financial resources.
In order to put these issues into practice2, the Russian government changed its import rates in 1994. The change of import duties3 affects mostly the status of foodstuff imports. Inflation and the subsequent price increases for energy, equipment and other materials make storage, processing the products and their packing very expensive, foreign suppliers have the opportunity to sell products at lower prices, though sometimes their products are of lower quality. Food intervention of imported goods has led to the reduction in the production of some agricultural products inside Russia. So the change of customs tariffs is based on an objective necessity to protect local commodity producers and does not conflict with the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade. Customs duties are levied only on those types of products which are produced in sufficient quantities.
The level of imposition by import rates4 was increased at an average of five to seven percent. Formely, the import rates were calculated as a percentage of the customs value of the imported goods. At the present time there is a universal order for introducing rates as an absolute sum for the imported unit (kilogram, liter, piece) value. For some types of agricultural products, mainly fruits and vegetables, seasonal duties with limited duration are in force.
Apart from the duties on foodstuffs the duties on some types of industrial products have also been increased. This step of the government is related to the fact that during the last several years Russian industry has experienced difficulties connected with the success of sale of imported cars, electronics, and some other types of industrial import. Duty rates have been increased on different transport vehicles, on completing articles5 for assembling electronics and computers, on consumer electronics6 and on metal-cutting machines. The minimum duty sums per one item for cars depend now on the engine volume and the year of production.
The regulations for granting a delay in payment for import duties have also been changed. Previously, the delay was permitted for a period of no more than thirty days. This delay was granted to the importer with no additional fees or expenses. Under the new regulations, this period is prolonged up to sixty days, but a certain interest is collected7 throughout the whole duration of the delay.
Export duties in Russia were set up in 1992. At that time world prices were much higher than internal ones and export was highly profitable, though it seriously hurt the level of domestic consumption8. Nowadays, in relation to the increase in domestic prices, the 5xistence of export duties negatively affects the ability for long-term export deals9. So export duties are supposed to be cancelled in future.
Vocabulary Notes on the Text
1 legal entities and individuals – юридические и физические лица.
2 to put something into practice – применять что-л. на практике
3.import duties – ввозная таможенная пошлина
4 the imposition by import rates – налогообложение на импорт.
5 completing articles – комплектующие.
6 consumer electronics – бытовая электроника.
7 to collect an interest – взимать проценты.
8 domestic consumption – потребление внутри страны.
9 long-term export deals – долгосрочные экспортные сделки.
Exercises on the Text
Read and translate the text.
Translate the following words and learn their pronunciation:
inflation; intervention; imposition; consumption; resources; entities; tariffs; vehicles; materials; status; electronics; energy; shortage; percentage; engine; foodstuff; insufficient; subsequent; industrial; levied
3. Match the verbs in the list close in meaning:
to fulfil; to effect; to protect; to levy; to limit; to grant; to develop; to restrict; to compete; to influence; to expand; to defend; to purchase; to contest; to perform; to buy; to introduce; to relate; to impose; to allow; to present; to connect
4. Answer the following questions:
1) When did the Russian government change import duties rates?
2) What did this change mostly effect?
What was the result of inflation?
How does food intervention influence the home agriculture?
On what are customs duties levied?
On what do the duty sums for cars depend?
5. Explain the meaning of the following terms in English:
the state budget; import duties; export duties; inflation; customs tariffs; imposition; industrial import; seasonal duties; consumption; General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade
6. Use each of these collocations in sentences of your own:
to protect home producers; to regulate trade transactions; to supply local consumers; to put smth. into practice; not to conflict with international practice; to produce in sufficient quantities; to be in force; to increase export/import duties on; to experience difficulties in smth.; to levy extra charges on
Give English equivalents of:
внутренний рынок (4 варианта); местные потребители; местные производители товара; юридические и физические лица; дополнительные финансовые ресурсы; ставки импортной пошлины; продовольственные/промышленные товары; оборудование; хранение, переработка и упаковка товаров; таможенные тарифы; ввозная таможенная пошлина; уровень налогообложения; стоимость единицы товара; сезонные пошлины; комплектующие; уровень внутреннего потребления; в среднем
8. Retell the text according to the following plan:
The functions of import-export rates.
Customs tariffs as an objective necessity to protect a local
The increase of import rates.
The problem of export
Vocabulary and Speech Exercises
9. Insert appropriate prepositions:
1.All taxes, customs duties and other charges levied … connection … the performance … this Contract … Russia are to be paid … the Sellers and those levied outside Russia are to be paid … the Buyers.
2. The simplest form … a tariff is one which consists … a single column levying the same rate … duty … all imports.
3. … addition … customs duties proper, many countries levy extra charges … one kind or another. The most common form is a surtax charged as a percentage … the duty.
4. The internal taxes are … a different kind. They are collected … imports … many countries. These are usually levied … the same rate as … similar products … domestic origin. Included … this category are sales taxes, excise taxes, V.A.T., turnover and transaction taxes, and the like.