In international trade, when disputes arise between exporter and importer, it can be settled through friendly consultation, litigation or arbitration. Friendly negoti ation or mediation is the best method of all and beneficial to both parties. The majority of the disputes are settled by this way and friendly business relations are thus maintained between exporters and importers. If the disputes cannot be settied through amicable negotiation or mediation, arbitration will be the next best alternative, as litigation is usually costly and time-consuming.

　　在國際貿易中，當進出口雙方發生爭議時,可通過友好協商、訴訟、或仲裁等方法解決。友好協商或調解是對雙方有益的最好的辦法。大多數的爭議都通過協商來解決，這樣可使進出口雙方的良好業務關系得以維持。若爭議不能通過友好協商或調停來解決，仲裁便是第二個最佳選擇，因為通常訴訟費用很高而且耗時。

　　1. Cash In Advance 預付貨款

n　　Cash in advance means that the exporter is paid either when the importer places

n　　his order or when the goods are ready for shipment. Cash with order or cash pay-

n　　ment before shipment is the exporter' s dream, but it rarely occurs, although in

n　　certain circumstances it is wise and even customary to ask for it. This state of affairs may be only likely in a seller' s market as it is naturally very unpopular in the eyes of importers.

　　預付貨款意味著出口方在進口方訂貨時或貨物備妥待運時獲得款項。隨訂單付款或發貨前付款對于出口方來說為最理想的支付方式，但在國際貿易中很少見，不過在某些情形下要求預付貨款是明智的而且是慣用的做法。預付貨款一般只適用于賣方市場，因為很自然在進口方的眼里這種方式是不受歡迎的。

n　　Nevertheless, it may be essential to ask for at least part of the purchase price with the order or before shipment in cases where orders are from politically unstablecountries or financially unstable customers, or where goods are specifically custommade for a new customer who has no long-term 'good faith' relationship with you, or where the exporter may be locking up considerable capital in the preparation u2026u2026