一、課文序言介紹

　　1-1 課文：Customs clearance in the import-export trade is one of the traditional functions of a freight forwarder. A freight forwarder should have a working knowledge of procedures prevalent in ports in order to provide an efficient service to clients.

　　注釋：customs clearance: 結關，清關，通關import-export trade: 進出口貿易 traditional: 傳統的，慣例的 function: 功能，作用，職責 working knowledge: 能夠實際應用的 procedure: 程序，手續 prevalent: 普遍的，流行的 efficient: 有效率的，生效的 client: 客戶

　　課文意思：在進出口貿易中，清關是貨運代理的一項傳統職能。貨運代理應了解各港口常見的手續以便為客戶提供高效的服務。

　　1-2 課文：The basic customs laws or regulations applicable to the arrival and departure of ships and to goods imported or exported are more or less the same in most countries although they may differ in procedural and documentary details.

　　注釋：customs laws: 海關法規 regulation: 規則，規章 applicable: 適用的 arrival: 到港 departure: 離港 more or less: 或多或少 differ: 不同，不一致 procedural and documentary details: 程序和文件的細節

　　課文意思：盡管各國在程序和文件的細節上可能會有不同，但在許多國家，對于船舶的到港和離港適用的基本的海關法規或多或少總有相同之處。

　　1-3 課文：But in several countries there is legislation for controlling and regulating imports and exports. The rules or regulations issued under such legislation will also have to be followed in customs clearance.

　　注釋：several:　在這里為“個別的，單獨的”意思legislation:立法，法律的制定(或通過) controlling: 控制 regulating: 調節 follow in: 跟隨，跟從

　　課文意思：但是在個別國家，有特定的立法控制和調節進出口。在此立法下制定的法規也同樣要求清關。

　　進出口船舶運輸貨物的基本程序有到港手續，離港手續和清關。