Export email templates

For buyers: ask a supplier for prices, lead time and packing details.

Dear [Name],

We are [Buyer company], [a short description of your company], and we are interested in your products. Please send us your best quotation for:

Product: [products] [specification]
Quantity: [quantity], with your minimum order quantity
Packing: [packing requirement]
Price terms: [Incoterm and place] (Incoterms 2020), in [currency]
Delivery: [required shipment date] to [port of discharge]

Please include the unit price, lead time, payment terms, packing details (cartons, weights and dimensions), the HS code and how long the offer is valid. Samples and product certificates would also help.

Best regards,
[Your name]
[Your title]
[Your company]

Request for quotation (to a supplier) →

Reply to an inquiry with your price, terms, lead time and validity.

Dear [Name],

Thank you for your inquiry. We are pleased to quote as follows:

Products: [products]
Price terms: [Incoterm and place] (Incoterms 2020)
Total: [amount]
Payment: [payment terms]
Lead time: [number] days after receipt of the deposit / L/C
Validity: this offer is valid for 30 days.

Our proforma invoice with full details is attached. Please let us know if you need samples, different quantities or other price terms.

Best regards,
[Your name]
[Your title]
[Your company]

Quotation →

Send the proforma invoice and ask the buyer to confirm and pay the deposit or open the L/C.

Dear [Name],

Thank you for your order [PO number]. Please find attached our Proforma Invoice [invoice number] dated [date]:

Products: [products]
Amount: [amount] ([Incoterm and place], Incoterms 2020)
Payment terms: [payment terms]
Shipment: from [port of loading] to [port of discharge], [shipment date or lead time]

Please check the details and confirm by signing and returning the proforma invoice. Production will start once we receive [the deposit / the L/C].
Our bank details are on the proforma invoice. If you pay by T/T, please send us a copy of the bank slip.

Best regards,
[Your name]
[Your title]
[Your company]

Proforma invoice →

Send the sales contract to the buyer for review and signature after the price and terms are agreed.

Dear [Name],

Thank you for your order. Please find attached our Sales Contract [PO number] dated [date] for your review and signature:

Products: [products]
Contract value: [amount] ([Incoterm and place], Incoterms 2020)
Payment terms: [payment terms]
Shipment: from [port of loading] to [port of discharge], on or about [ETD]

Please sign and return a copy, or let us know if anything needs to change. Once we receive the signed contract, we will confirm the production and shipment schedule.

Best regards,
[Your name]
[Your title]
[Your company]

Sales contract (for signature) →

For buyers: send your purchase order to a supplier and ask for confirmation and a proforma invoice.

Dear [Name],

Please find attached our Purchase Order [PO number] dated [date]:

Products: [products]
Amount: [amount] ([Incoterm and place], Incoterms 2020)
Payment terms: [payment terms]
Latest shipment date: [ETD]
Ship to: [port of discharge]

Please confirm the order by signing and returning the purchase order, or send us your proforma invoice with the expected shipment date. Please show our PO number on the commercial invoice, the packing list and the cartons.

Best regards,
[Your name]
[Your title]
[Your company]

Purchase order (to a supplier) →

Confirm a purchase order: products, amount, terms and the expected shipment date.

Dear [Name],

Thank you for your purchase order [PO number]. We confirm the order as follows:

Products: [products]
Amount: [amount]
Terms: [Incoterm and place] (Incoterms 2020)
Payment: [payment terms]
Estimated shipment: [date]

Our proforma invoice [invoice number] is attached. We will keep you updated on production and shipment.

Best regards,
[Your name]
[Your title]
[Your company]

Order confirmation →

A polite reminder when a payment is overdue.

Dear [Name],

This is a friendly reminder that payment of [amount] for invoice [invoice number] (your order [PO number]) was due on [due date], and we have not yet received it.

If you have already paid, please send us a copy of the bank slip so that we can trace the payment. If there is a problem, please let us know and we will find a solution together.

Thank you for your prompt attention.

Best regards,
[Your name]
[Your title]
[Your company]

Payment reminder →

Ask the buyer to have the letter of credit amended when its terms do not match the sales contract or proforma invoice.

Dear [Name],

Thank you for opening the letter of credit [L/C number] for order [PO number]. We have checked it against our sales contract and proforma invoice, and the following points need an amendment before we can ship:

1. [Clause]: the credit says [current wording]; please change it to [correct wording].
2. [Clause]: the credit says [current wording]; please change it to [correct wording].

For reference, our agreed terms are:
Products: [products]
Amount: [amount] ([Incoterm and place], Incoterms 2020)
Payment terms: [payment terms]
Shipment: from [port of loading] to [port of discharge], on or about [ETD]

Please ask your bank to issue the amendment as soon as possible and send us a copy, so that we can ship on time.

Best regards,
[Your name]
[Your title]
[Your company]

Letter of credit amendment request →

Tell the buyer the goods have shipped: vessel, ports, dates, B/L and container numbers, packages.

Dear [Name],

We are pleased to inform you that your order [PO number] has been shipped:

Vessel / voyage: [vessel / voyage]
Port of loading: [port of loading]
Port of discharge: [port of discharge]
ETD: [ETD]
ETA: [ETA]
B/L No.: [B/L number]
Container No.: [container number]
Packages: [number] cartons, gross weight [weight] kg, [volume] CBM
Invoice amount: [amount]

Attached are copies of the commercial invoice, the packing list and the bill of lading. [The original documents will be sent by courier. / The B/L will be released by telex after payment of the balance.]

Please arrange the import customs clearance with your broker, and let us know if you need anything else.

Best regards,
[Your name]
[Your title]
[Your company]

Shipping advice →

Send copies of the invoice, packing list and B/L, and say how the originals are sent or released.

Dear [Name],

Please find attached copies of the shipping documents for your order [PO number]:

- Commercial invoice [invoice number]
- Packing list
- Bill of lading [B/L number]
- [Certificate of origin]

[The original documents were sent today by courier, tracking number [number]. / We will release the B/L by telex once we receive the balance of [amount].]

Please check the documents and tell us right away if anything needs to be corrected.

Best regards,
[Your name]
[Your title]
[Your company]

Shipping documents →

Tell the buyer early about a new shipment date and the reason.

Dear [Name],

We are sorry to inform you that the shipment of your order [PO number] will be delayed. The new estimated shipment date is [new date], because [reason].

We are doing everything we can to keep the delay as short as possible and will keep you updated. [To make up for the delay, we can offer ...]

We apologise for the inconvenience and thank you for your understanding.

Best regards,
[Your name]
[Your title]
[Your company]

Delay notice →

Ask a forwarder for a freight rate with the cargo details it needs.

Dear [Name],

Please quote your best rate for the following shipment:

From: [port of loading]
To: [port of discharge]
Incoterms: [Incoterm and place]
Cargo: [products]
Packages: [number] cartons, gross weight [weight] kg, volume [volume] CBM
Service: [FCL 1 x 20ft / LCL / air]
Cargo ready: [date]
Dangerous goods: [no / UN number and class]

Please include the transit time, the sailing schedule, the free time at destination and all local charges, and tell us how long the rate is valid.

Best regards,
[Your name]
[Your title]
[Your company]

Freight quote request →

Ask the forwarder or carrier to book the shipment after accepting the quote.

Dear [Name],

Please book the following shipment as quoted [quote reference]:

Shipper: [Your company]
Consignee: [Buyer company]
From [port of loading] to [port of discharge], [Incoterm and place]
Cargo: [products]
Packages: [number] cartons, [weight] kg, [volume] CBM
Equipment: [1 x 40ft HC]
Cargo ready / pick-up: [date and address]

Please send the booking confirmation with the vessel, the ETD, the cut-off times and the empty container pick-up details. Our shipping instructions will follow.

Best regards,
[Your name]
[Your title]
[Your company]

Booking request →

Tell the buyer the samples are on the way, with the tracking number.

Dear [Name],

We have sent the samples you asked for by [courier], tracking number [number]. They should arrive in about [number] days.

The samples are free of charge, and the courier invoice is marked "Samples of no commercial value". [Any import duties and taxes are paid by the receiver.]

We look forward to your feedback.

Best regards,
[Your name]
[Your title]
[Your company]

Samples sent →

For buyers: tell the supplier the payment has been sent and attach the bank slip.

Dear [Name],

We have sent the payment of [amount] for our order [PO number] (your invoice [invoice number]) today by T/T. The bank slip (SWIFT MT103) is attached.

Please confirm when you receive it and let us know the shipment date. [This is the deposit. / This is the balance; please release the documents.]

Best regards,
[Your name]
[Your title]
[Your company]

Payment sent (to a supplier) →

Thank the buyer for the payment and confirm the next step.

Dear [Name],

We have received your payment of [amount] for invoice [invoice number]. Thank you!

[We will ship your order on [date]. / The original documents will be sent today.]

We appreciate your business and look forward to your next order.

Best regards,
[Your name]
[Your title]
[Your company]

Payment received →

Answer a damage or shortage claim and ask for the evidence you need.

Dear [Name],

Thank you for letting us know about [the damage / the shortage] in the shipment of your order [PO number] (invoice [invoice number]). We are sorry for the trouble.

To check the case, please send us:
- photos of the goods and of the packaging
- the delivery receipt or survey report with the remarks made at delivery
- the carton numbers concerned

[If the goods were insured, please also notify the insurer or its local agent and keep the damaged goods until the survey.]

We will reply within [number] working days with our proposal.

Best regards,
[Your name]
[Your title]
[Your company]

Reply to a claim →