In the international sale of goods, there are many types of goods, and the methods of expressing the quality of goods generally include two categories: physical expression and description.

(1) Relying on physical objects to express quality

Relying on physical objects to express quality can be divided into sight sales and sample sales.

1. Sight sale

When the buyer and seller use the sight of the goods to complete the transaction, the buyer or agent usually first inspects the goods at the place where the seller stores the goods. Once the transaction is concluded, the seller should Delivery of goods that have been inspected by the other party. As long as the seller delivers goods that have been inspected by the buyer, the buyer cannot dispute the quality. This approach is mostly used in consignment, auction and exhibition businesses.

2. Buying and selling based on samples

Samples are usually taken from a batch of goods or designed and processed by the production and use departments, which are enough to reflect and represent the quality of the entire batch of goods. A small amount of physical objects. Where samples are used to indicate the quality of goods and are used as the basis for delivery, it is called "Sale by Sample".

In international trade, the seller usually provides samples. Anyone who uses the seller's sample as the quality basis for delivery is called "sales based on the seller's sample". The quality of the goods delivered by the seller must be the same as the samples provided. Sometimes, in order to make the goods ordered by the buyer meet its own requirements, the buyer will also provide samples for the seller to manufacture according to the samples. If the seller agrees to make a transaction based on the samples provided by the buyer, it is called "sales based on the buyer's samples." Sometimes the seller can process and copy a similar sample based on the sample provided by the buyer and submit it to the buyer for confirmation. This confirmed sample is called a "counter sample" or "return sample", and is also called a "counter sample". Confiming Sample. After the equivalent sample is confirmed by the buyer, the quality of the goods delivered by the seller in the future must be based on the equivalent sample. In addition, in order to develop trade relations and enhance each other's understanding of each other's products, buyers and sellers often send samples to each other. Such samples sent for the purpose of introducing products should be marked "for reference only" to avoid confusion with standard samples.

(2) Expressing quality by description

Expressing quality by description means using words, charts, pictures, etc. to explain the quality of the goods being sold. This type of quality expression method can be subdivided into the following categories:

1. Sale by Specification

Commodity specifications refer to some major indicators that are sufficient to reflect the quality of the product. Such as chemical composition, content, purity, performance, capacity, length, thickness, etc. In international trade, when buyers and sellers use the specifications of goods to determine quality, it is called "sales based on specifications."

2. Sale by Grade

The grade of goods refers to the fact that the same type of goods is divided into several grades with different quality based on differences in specifications. When buying and selling by grade, since different grades of goods have different specifications, in order to facilitate the performance of the contract and avoid disputes, it is best to stipulate the specific specifications of each grade while listing the grade in the quality clause. This has a certain effect on simplifying procedures, promoting transactions and reflecting price based on quality.

3. Sale by Standard

The standard of goods refers to standardizing the specifications and grades of goods. Some commodity standards are stipulated by the state or relevant government departments, and some are stipulated by trade associations, exchanges or international industrial and commercial organizations. Some commodities are customarily bought and sold according to standards, and people often use certain standards as the basis for describing and evaluating the quality of commodities.

In international trade, the term "Fair Average Quality" (FAQ) is often used to express the quality of certain agricultural and sideline products whose quality varies greatly and it is difficult to stipulate unified standards. "Good average quality" refers to the average quality level of goods exported from a certain place within a certain period of time. It generally refers to medium-sized goods, also known as bulk goods.

While indicating the bulk goods, specific specifications are usually agreed upon as a basis for quality.

In order to promote the improvement of product quality in various countries, improve corporate management systems, and protect consumer interests, the International Organization for Standardization has launched the ISO9000 series of quality management and quality assurance standards and the ISO14000 series of environmental management standards. my country is a member of the International Organization for Standardization. In October 1992, my country's Bureau of Technical Supervision converted the ISO series of standards into the GB/T19000 series of national standards, which appeared in the form of double numbers and were implemented on January 1, 1993. The implementation of these two integrated management systems of ISO will help improve and enhance the image of our companies and products among consumers and customers at home and abroad, reduce operating and management costs, and enable our products to adapt to the quality requirements of the international market. new demands and improve the international competitiveness of our products.

4. Sale by Descriptions and lllustrations

In international trade, some mechanical, electrical, instrument and other technology-intensive products have complex structures. The requirements for materials and design are strict, and there is a lot of data to illustrate its performance. It is difficult to use a few simple indicators to show the overall quality. Moreover, some products, even if they have the same name, are different due to the materials used, design and Certain differences in manufacturing technology may also lead to functional differences. Therefore, for the quality of such products, instructions are usually provided with drawings, photos, design drawings, analysis tables and various data to illustrate the specific performance and structural characteristics. Trading in this way is called buying and selling by specification and drawing.

5. Buying and selling based on trademark or brand

Trade Mark refers to the mark used by the manufacturer or firm to identify the goods produced or sold. Brand Name refers to the name given by an industrial and commercial enterprise to the goods it manufactures or sells. The trademark or brand itself is actually a symbol of quality. People can buy and sell based on only trademarks or brands in transactions, without requiring detailed requirements for quality.

6. Buying and selling based on the name of the place of origin

In the international sale of goods, some products are different in quality from other products due to the influence of the natural conditions of the production area, traditional processing techniques and other factors. For such products, the name of the place of origin can generally be used to express quality.

The above-mentioned methods of expressing quality are generally used alone, but sometimes they can be used in combination as appropriate.