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BUSINESS PODCAST BEP 422 – English for Logistics 3: Duty, Tariffs and Costs | Business English…

BUSINESS PODCAST

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Warm-up Questions

When you hear “duty” and “tariffs,” what kind of extra costs do you think of in international shipping?
What logistics costs do you think are hardest to predict: transport, customs charges, or paperwork/administration? Why?
In business, why might a company choose a more expensive route for shipping?

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BUSINESS PODCAST BEP 422 – English for Logistics 3: Duty, Tariffs and Costs | Business English…

Overview: modern logistics costs and customs (00:00 – 02:50)

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1. What is the main focus of this lesson in the logistics series?

Warehouse layout and inventory counting
Hiring and training freight forwarders
Customer service skills for logistics
Duties, tariffs, and other cost factors

2. Why is it challenging to control costs in modern supply chains, according to the introduction?

Because products are no longer sold abroad
Because governments have stopped international trade
Because there are many moving parts and many companies involved
Because air shipping is no longer possible

3. Besides tariffs and duties, what else does the host say cost conversations will likely involve?

Regulations/compliance and vocabulary of risk
Marketing budgets and advertising rules
New product design and branding
Employee contracts and salary negotiations

BUSINESS PODCAST BEP 422 – English for Logistics 3: Duty, Tariffs and Costs | Business English…

Dialogue: customs factors, trade agreements, and landed cost (02:50 – 05:21)

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1. What are said to be the biggest factors when discussing customs?

Packaging design, labeling, and product testing
Insurance premiums, salaries, and office overhead
Marketing fees, storage rent, and staffing costs
Duties, import taxes, and surcharges

2. What does the speaker suggest could still change because of “general volatility”?

Port fees or additional charges
The company’s logo on invoices
The number of items in each box
The color of the products being shipped

3. Which documents are mentioned as part of the paperwork for preferential duty?

Employment contracts and tax returns
Certificates of origin, commercial invoices, and packing lists
Product advertisements and brand guidelines
Customer surveys and meeting minutes

BUSINESS PODCAST BEP 422 – English for Logistics 3: Duty, Tariffs and Costs | Business English…

Language focus: clarifying costs, landed cost, and managing risk (05:21 – 19:53)

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1. In the lesson, what does “exposure” refer to?

Risk—something that can affect you
A type of shipping container
A document used in customs clearance
A discount that reduces the final price

2. What does the lesson say “landed cost” includes?

Only insurance premiums and warehouse rent
Only the base freight rate
The total cost to get something to its final destination, including freight and customs-related fees
Only duties and taxes paid at the destination

3. What does it mean to “build in a contingency” in a budget?

To delay shipping until next year
To set aside money just in case something happens
To replace paperwork with verbal agreements
To remove all extra money from the plan

BUSINESS PODCAST BEP 422 – English for Logistics 3: Duty, Tariffs and Costs | Business English…

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1. Why do governments use tariffs, according to the lesson?

To guarantee stable shipping prices
To eliminate the need for customs brokers
To protect domestic companies and generate revenue
To reduce all paperwork for importers

2. What is the main purpose of asking clarifying questions about costs?

To reduce the duty rate automatically
To increase the number of documents required
To make sure you understand what is included and avoid surprises
To avoid comparing different routing options

3. In the route comparison, what trade-off is emphasized as a way to manage risk?

Paying a predictable rate versus being blindsided by hidden fees
Using more emails versus making more phone calls
Shipping smaller boxes versus larger boxes
Ordering more products versus fewer products

Discussion Questions

Discuss the ideas from this video

BUSINESS PODCAST BEP 422 – English for Logistics 3: Duty, Tariffs and Costs | Business English…

Think of a product your company (or a company you know) might import. What costs would you include in the landed cost?
Do you think it’s better to choose the lowest base cost route or a more predictable route? What factors decide this?
What types of paperwork problems could cause delays or extra costs at customs? How could a company reduce these risks?
Have you ever been “blindsided by hidden fees” in business or personal life? What could you ask next time to clarify costs?