高等职业教育的办学宗旨是培养基层和生产**线技术应用型人才，强调基本素质和技能的培养，注重针对性和实用性，从而造就基本功扎实、操作能力强的复合型、实用型人才。随着全球经济一体化、我国加入WTO以及信息技术的迅速发展，国际商贸函电从内容到形式都发生了巨大变化，对人才培养也有了新的要求。本书根据高职院校函电教学大纲，在保留和吸收现有函电教材优点的基础上，大胆改革教学内容和教学方法，以符合教学大纲确定的培养目标以及国际贸易的发展趋势。
本书按进出口业务环节的先后分章编写，用较为通俗的英语系统介绍国际商贸函电的基本格式、写作特点、国际商贸过程的各个主要环节及每个环节所涉及的代表性信函；编入了常用合同及单证，通过实例使学生了解合同及各种常用单证的格式，以加强学生用英语处理进出口业务往来函电、签订合同和制作单证的实际操作能力。

Chapter 1 Business Letter Writing
Introduction
Part One Writing Principles and Language Features
Part Two The Structure and Layout
Chapter 2 Establishing and Promoting Business Relations
Introduction
Lesson 1 Seeking New Customers
Lesson 2 Establishing Business Relations
Lesson 3 Credit Enquiry from the Bank
Chapter 3 Enquiries,Offers and Counter-offers
Introduction
Lesson 4 A First Enquiry
Lesson 5 A Specific Enquiry
Lesson 6 A Finn Offer
Lesson 7 A Non-firm Offer
Lesson 8 Asking for Proforma Invoice
Lesson 9 (A) A Counter-offer
(B) Declining a Counter-offer
Lesson 10 Acceptance of a Counter-offer
Chapter 4 Acceptance and Orders
Introduction
Lesson 11 An Initial Order
Lesson 12 (A)A Repeat Order
(B) Declining a Repeat Order
Lesson 13 Confirming an Order
Lesson 14 (A) Sending a Sales Contract
(B) A Reply
Appendix: Speciment of a Sales Contract
Chapter 5 Payment
Introduction
Lesson 15 (A)Proposing to Pay by 30 Days L/C
(B) A Reply
Lesson 16 (A)Asking for Easier Payment Terms
(B) A Reply
Lesson 17 Urging Establishment of L/C
Lesson 18 Amending L/C to Allow Partial Shipment and Transshipment
Lesson 19 Asking for L/C Extension
Lesson 20 Request for Earlier Payment
Appendix: A Speciment of an L/C
Chapter 6 Packing and Shipment
Introduction
Lesson 21 Packing Requirements
Lesson 22 Shipping' Instructions
Lesson 23 Shipping Advice
Lesson 24 Urging Shipment
Appendix: Speciment of an Ocean B/L
Chapter 7 Insurance
Introduction
Lesson 25 Type of Coverage
Lesson 26 Covering Insurance for the Buyer
Lesson 27 (A) Asking for Excesssive Insurance
……
Chapter 8 Complaints and Claims
Chapter 9 New Trade Forms in Ues
Chapter 10 E-mail and E-commerce
Appendix
Vocabulary