Professional Documents
Culture Documents
(K53CLC3) Nguyễn Song Toàn
(K53CLC3) Nguyễn Song Toàn
PREFACE
Over the past decade, Vietnam has integrated rapidly and broadly with
evidences that many FTAs between Vietnam and nearby countries have been signed.
This has brought a lot of benefits for import and export activities. For instance, prices
of importing products are reduced and tax is minimized. And this is not exception to
paper products. When it comes to paper products, Toan Luc Trading Joint Stock
Company, with over 23 years of establishment and impressive growth, has been
standing out as a one of the leading companies in importing and distributing paper.
With a view to going deep into the performance of paper import contracts and
in accordance with the requirements of University concerning mid-term internship, I
have worked as an intern for a month at Toan Luc Trading Joint Stock Company and
decided to choose the topic the topic: “The process of implementing paper import
contracts at Toan Luc Trading Joint Stock Company”.
This report is composed of three main parts as follows:
- Chapter One: Introduction to Toan Luc Trading Joint Stock Company
- Chapter Two: The procedure of paper import contracts at Toan Luc
Trading Joint Stock Company
- Chapter Three: Prospects, oriented development and recommendations
for promotion/improvement of process of paper import contracts of Toan Luc
Trading Joint Stock Company
For the fulfillment of this report, I wish to express my gratitude to Board of
Director and Import Department of the Company, especially Ms. Bui Thi Ngoc Yen,
for all helpful and detailed guidance throughout my internship. Last but not least, I
show appreciation to Ms. Le Thi Thanh Ngan for her dedicated and enthusiastic
instruction.
Despite all my efforts, due to limited time and restricted self-capabilities, this
report must contain ineluctable errors and mistakes. Thus, I am grateful for all
precious comments and contributions to make this report better.
Ho Chi Minh City, August 2017
Student
Nguyen Song Toan
2
Business &
Accounting Administrative Logistics
IMEX Warehouse
Division & HR Division Division
Division
Receptionist
(Source: Regulations of Organizing Activities of Toan Luc Trading Joint Stock Company)
1.3.3. Functions of main departments
- General Director - Chairman
General Director who is also the Chairman of the company works the head of
the administrative body, taking all the responsibility for legal act and oriented
development of the Company. In addition, General Director serves as a charter and a
representative for the company. All contracts and legal documents must require his
or her decision and signature.
- Vice Director
Vice Director control all operations of the company including activities of all
departments. Also, he or she is a channel for head of all departments to communicate
and follow orders. Vice Director is the one who comprehend the current situation and
5
daily operation of the company, expressing suggestion and strategic plan to General
Director.
- Business Department
Business Department has to design a whole detailed plan for next year
including researches of paper demand and expected import quantity. Its staff are also
in charge of seeking out customers and selling imported paper. They must do all
activities including distributing and negotiating resale price to Vietnamese buyers.
- Import & Export Department (IMEX Dept.)
IMEX Department is taking responsibilities to all activities in connection with
implementing import paper contracts. They have to estimate and calculate the
purchasing price, inquire goods, bargain price, open L/C and claim, settle dispute (if
any). Because this department rarely conduct export contracts, this department is
indicated as Import Dept. hereafter.
- Accounting Division
Accounting Department usually perform tasks relating to recording
transactions and entries. They also conduct operations dealing with banks such as
settling payment, making a loan, buying foreign currency, depositing,…In addition,
an indispensable function of this department is cash flow and capital management.
- Administrative and Human Resources Division
Administrative & HR Dept. mainly assist and control recruiting process when
needed. They also manage wage, benefit and reward policies for all employees,
creating extracurricular activities for staff’s relaxation. Lunch, drinks and other basic
needs are prepared and supplied by this department. Moreover, receptionists are
included with function of serving and welcoming guests and customers.
- Logistics Division
Logistics department includes one main coordinator and four truck teams,
handling shipping operations and communicating with outsourced forwarders.
- Warehouse
This contains four storekeepers and they working at Cu Chi District warehouse
to execute inspection and verification both quantity and quality of consignment stored
in warehouse.
6
596.0 591.6
600.0 0.60%
0.50%
500.0 0.50%
414.5 413.9 423.4 421.4
400.0 0.40%
300.0 0.30%
200.0 0.20%
It can be seen that in general there was a positive outlook in the business
outcomes of Toan Luc over a four-year period from 2013 to 2016.
Total revenues of the Company witnessed an upward trend after a significant
decrease in 2014. As I am acknowledged that in 2014 and 2015 interest rates were
high approximately 20% in some periods. So that, Company suffered from such high
loans and started to shrink their scale. From then on, outcomes grew gradually and
saw a sharp increase in 2016, rising from around 425 Bil Dong in 2015 to 596 Bil
Dong in 2016, a rise of more than 1.4 times. This is a positive signal of regrowth after
restructuring items and labor completely.
Total costs always grew proportionately with total revenues, in which the price
and quantity of import paper rose sharply, thus leading to a surge in Cost of goods
sold.
Importantly, Gross income rocketed from 0.8 Bil Dong in 2013 up to 4.4 Bil
Dong in 2016, and so did net profit margin. This six-time rise of gross profit margin
ensures a promising future for Toan Luc in the next few years.
7
Case 1 Case 2
Board of Board of
Import Dept. Import Dept.
Director Director
Receiving
Receiving quotation and
Negotiate
quotation prepare
negotiation
Negotiate
Confirm
and confirm Conclude the
through fax
through fax contract
or email
or email
Conclude the
contract
+In case Toan Luc would like to perform payment by bank loan, the Company
shall present to the bank these following documents: Sale Contract, Application for
irrevocable documentary credit, Application for the loan, and Business plan...
Step 2: place a deposit account
At present, Toan Luc just has to pay 5% or 10% of the L/C value as
commitment fee for securing payment. This amount is minimal because company is
a regular and prestigious customer of many banks and fierce competition in banking
is reducing the relevant costs. After completion of procedure for escrowing, bank will
issue L/C to the Buyer and notify the advising bank. Mizuho Bank Singapore Branch
was in charge of advising the seller in above contract.
As clarified in L/C HDOTF1633414566I, these are some information about
documentary credit:
Issuing bank: Saigon Thuong Tin Commercial Joint Stock Bank (Sacombank)
Ho Chi Minh City
Advising bank: Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd., the Singapore
Form of documentary credit: Irrevocable
Documents required:
+Commercial Invoice (3 originals)
+Full (3/3) set of original clean shipped on board bill of lading
+Detailed packing list (3 originals)
+Full set of insurance policy
According to Sale Contract TL –NPIS 20160502, L/C was required to be
opened by 15th November. However, in reality, Toan Luc did not meet that
requirement, which date of issue is in 29th November, extracted from L/C
HDOTF1633414566I. This discrepancy was not prejudice to performance of the
contract due to close business relationship.
If the period of opening L/C is not defined in the contract, it shall be subject
to delivery time. Normally, L/C is opened within a week before the first day of
shipment. However, the time of opening L/C may be extended to 20 or 25 days before
delivery if the suppliers come from European countries. After Import Dept. sends
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issuing form of L/C to the supplier to verify adequate financial status, it will receive
a shipping booking confirmation consisting of ETD and ETA.
2.1.2.4. Chartering vessel and buying insurance (if any)
Toan Luc usually makes purchase according to CIF term so hiring transport
and buying insurance are executed by the Seller. This is the reason why in L/C there
is always specified evidently that which kinds of insurances the Seller must buy, and
where to make claims if disputes arise. As illustrated in Certificate of Insurance
No.72-H0063349, the assured was the seller which is Mitsubishi Corporation and the
insurance policy covered all risks for 110% of invoice value which was
US$43,086.00. As in this case, the insurer was Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire
Insurance Co. Ltd., which must have a branch in HCMC. This requirement to the
seller is for Company’s convenience in making a claim.
However, company also performs imports according to CFR term so they often
cover insurance for their consignment. Process of buying insurance is fulfilled as
these following steps:
+Select suitable terms and conditions.
+Writing application for insurance and signing an insurance policy.
+After receipt of a copy of full documents from the Seller, company will pay
a premium to insurance company under invoice value. Insurance premium is
calculated as:
110% of invoice value x premium rate
2.1.2.5. Taking and examining documents
After delivery, set of documents is submitted to the bank by the Seller. Firstly,
the issuing bank begins to verify the documents according to L/C terms then notify
Toan Luc to receive set of documents. With regard to consignment importing paper
of Toan Luc Trading Joint Stock Company, full set of documents containing quantity
of originals and copies in accordance with L/C terms includes: original B/L,
Commercial Invoice, Detailed Packing List, Weight list, Certificate of Quality and
goods, Certificate of Insurance, C/O, Certificate of Beneficiary, Particular shipment.
For purpose of safety, Toan Luc usually request the Seller to mail particulars
of shipment such as B/L number and shipment date, estimated time of arrival, vessel’s
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name, quantity of goods, name of commodity, invoice value and credit number within
seven working days before the Seller submits payment documents to the issuing bank.
Staff of company will examine the validity of documents. First of all, they will check
that whether all submitted documents are in conformity with the terms of L/C,
contract or not. If there is any aspect of documentation that are not in line with the
terms thereof, company forthwith announce discrepancies to the Seller to correct the
errors. If the documents are correct and valid, Accounting Dept. will settle payment.
2.1.2.6. Settling payment
After receiving set of documents and examining the validity of the documents,
staff from Import Dept. request accountant to settle payment for the exporter. As in
sample contract, payment was made within 120 days from date of shipment.
If the account of company is enough money to cover the payment at the issuing
bank, company just apply for purchase foreign currency with the amount of 90%-
95% of invoice value (10%-5% of contract price is already deposited in L/C). Issuing
bank will settle payment by transferring money to the advising bank. Otherwise,
issuing bank will make a loan to company and settle payment for company once
application for loan and business plan is submitted (if required).
In case of any discrepancy between documents and “document required” on
L/C, advising bank will withhold from crediting to exporter’s account. As a resolution
to this, whichever party that causes this negligent error shall bear for the cost of
modifying either L/C or documents to reach unification between such documents.
2.1.2.7. Customs clearance
Toan Luc mainly makes custom clearance by electronic customs declaration.
Customs declaration is handled through ECUS-electronic customs declaration
software by Import Department. Paper format customs procedures are only used in
the case that port of delivery is not located in Ho Chi Minh City.
After company submits a customs declaration in electronic form via ECUS,
Items are classified by the customs. There are three levels of classifying goods:
+Clearance acceptance on the basis of e-customs declaration information
(Green Channel).
+Inspection of paper customs dossiers before clearance (Yellow Channel).
15
and insurance company. Time as soon as possible to inspect the goods is scheduled
and parties shall be present to witness. Insurance company will demand surveyors to
examine the scope and nature of the damage in the presence of ship agents and to
duly issue a survey report. Then insurance company will compensate based on actual
damages incurred. In the case of short delivery, supplier is responsible for conducting
measures to fulfill the undelivered parts of the contract.
2.2. Summary of strengths and weaknesses
2.2.1. Strengths
Process of importing paper of Toan Luc is generally strict and fully
established
Since establishment in 1994, Company has modified and improved the process
of importing paper. Thus, the procedure is now fully made and is appropriate with
conditions in importing of the Company.
With regard to operation of the Company: structure is not complicated, tasks are
assigned harmoniously, comprehensively among members of the Company. From the
stage planning, signing contract to the stage payment and receiving the goods, duties
are divided to departments and there is a well communication among them.
Furthermore, all steps are under strict control and supervision of the directors.
For example, the decision to import new items to be approved of by Board of
Director, or Payment must be ratified by Head of Import Dept. before being passed
to Accounting Department. Hence, mistakes and negligence can be minimized.
Good application to new forms of payment, customs declaration
Now, the procedures in connection with customs are performed totally through
electronic customs declaration application. So, the set of customs dossiers is now
unnecessary that assist importing to become more convenient and quicker. Moreover,
it reduces company’s expenditures and workforces.
Usage of irrevocable L/C at sight makes payment become more secured and
enhances safety of transactions with new partners due to the verification of the bank.
In addition, the exporters feel secure about the payment from the company.
Especially, recently, company takes advantage of new type of payment-UPAS L/C,
so that it can access to favorable foreign currency loan and reduce the costs.
17
operation. Import Department needs one more staff to cover all related import
documents and assist main importing staff.
Investigation of goods at warehouse are not really strict
The case that frequently occurs at storehouse is loosen verification and
examination of products. This has led to shortage of goods yet company do not
recognize the real situation. For instance, Toan Luc imported paper from EU partners
and distributed to Vietnamese companies. Due to untie investigation, when buyers
received items and claim for such discrepancy in quantity. In a block of 100 pieces
of paper, there are only approximately over 80 sheets. Such issues have brought not
only losses but also bad reputation to the company once prestige is the most key value
in competitive market nowadays.
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estimate such appropriate price to import before reselling the goods. But life is not
easy for any of us, when negotiating exporters always require the price which is
comparable to the current market price. This would be a colossal risk to importing
companies if they cannot attain righteous standing in an overture.
Moreover, capital immobility is a huge issue for every enterprise, especially
in recovering debts. Due to high competitiveness in paper industry, buyers be barely
loyal to one supplier. So that, offering benefits in late payment is a must to attract
those buyers such as 30-day late payment. Those account receivables as well as
interest expenses make cost of capital increased.
3.2. Oriented development of process of paper import contracts
In terms of orientation for improving import process, Company in following
years will proactively recruit additional import employees. Moreover, allocating
appropriate tasks to workers depending on items is the future step of the Company,
one particular staff will be wholly in charge of some specific items for better
management and surveillance.
Simultaneously, Board of Director is making efforts to create a new
department mastering in forwarding process. If company succeeds in establishing
such department, stage of receiving goods will minimize fees of outsourced
forwarders and other external agencies.
3.3. Recommendations for promoting/improving process of paper import
contracts
Establishing complete process of re-export of paper and enhancing negotiating
standing
The company just earns profits by reselling paper in domestic market. Hence,
company’s gross profit margin is minimal. However, re-export will bring a lot of
benefits if there is a full process of re-export. This means that company does not need
to break down and retail paper to earn insufficient profit. Additionally, re-exporting
may bring foreign currency not only to the company but also to the nation. Position
of the company in international market will also be promoted.
Moreover, negotiating import contracts in FOB term will bring tremendous
benefits for the company as well as for the logistics industry of Vietnam. So that,
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relationship, Company should sign contracts with approval method of payment such
as D/P, T.T on credit or late payment.
Increasing concentration and examination on documentary and contract
tasks
To minimize errors arising during the process of completing contracts and
preparing payment, Import Dept. need to carefully examine L/C and contracts. They
need to be extremely focused as one mistake in one document can leads to a chain of
mistakes in others. In the event that there are discrepancies in information concerning
L/C or contracts, such staff need to find out the origin of such differences right away
and ask for correction to ensure consistency with pre-agreement. For example, if there
is any discrepancy between L/C and agreed contract, staff must discover the origin of
this mistake and clarify it immediately or inform partners to modify it. The
circumstance that usually occurs at the company is that Toan Luc and other
companies are both included in one controlling enterprise leading to mistake in name,
address of company and title of goods.
During the process of receiving goods that involve external agencies, Import
Dept. need to regularly update information and guiding agents of these organizations
and strictly follow these regulations. In doing so, the staff can complete the
documents quickly and also establish good relationship and trust with these agencies.
To reduce risks associating with recording documents, the Company needs to
build up a storage system with security password and large capacity so as to store a
large number of papers and dossiers. Also, import staff ought to classify documents
according to contract numbers so that when there are any problems arising regarding
a certain contract, all related documents can be quickly accessed and extracted.
Finally, Import Dept. need to regularly examine the documents which have been
stored so that they can find out losses of or damages to these documents as soon as
possible and propose timely solutions
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CONCLUSION
Although paper industry has faced many difficulties for many years, demand
for paper material started to increase about 20% per year. Mentioning paper, one
cannot ignore Toan Luc Trading Joint Stock Company, a leading importer and
distributor of paper in Vietnam. After more than 23 years of establishment and
growth, Toan Luc has recognized outstanding achievements.
The performance of paper import contracts, one of the most important aspects
of Toan Luc business operations, has also been perfected and improved during such
a long time of existence and development of the Company. As a result, this process
has several striking strengths such as time and cost efficiency, high level of security
and cooperation, and high technology. Yet, such a process also contains inevitable
limitations, including lack of negotiating standing, shortage of import staff and loosen
investigation of goods. Thus, it is time for Toan Luc to consider some necessary
remedies such as recruiting potential personnel, increasing concentration and
examination on documentary and contract tasks, establishing complete process of re-
export of paper and enhancing negotiating standing, conducting examination goods
more strictly and claiming for indemnity as soon as possible.
I strongly believe that the currently-executing process and innovative policies
together with the positive development of the paper industry and the economic growth
potential of the Company will ensure the promising future of Toan Luc.
Although the internship period has been over, this precious chance has left me
with invaluable practical experience which helps consolidate the specialized
knowledge I have learned at the university.
Finally, I would again send my sincere thanks to all involved people for all the
precious helps. Without these contributions, this report cannot be completed.
25
REFERENCES
1. Bao Viet Securities, 2016, Report on Paper Industry in Vietnam
http://images1.cafef.vn/Images/Uploaded/DuLieuDownload/PhanTichBaoCao/Nga
nhbaobigiay_220416_BVSC.pdf
2. Toan Luc Trading Joint Stock Company, 2017, Regulations of Organizing
Activities.
3. Toan Luc Trading Joint Stock Company, 2017, Process of Negotiating
contracts
4. Toan Luc Trading Joint Stock Company, Report from Import Department
years 2014-2016
5. Toan Luc Trading Joint Stock Company, 2017, Process of Implementing
Paper Import Contracts.
6. Toan Luc Trading Joint Stock Company [Online] [Cited: June 16, 2017]
http://www.toanluc.com.vn/
7. Toan Luc Trading Joint Stock Company [Online] [Cited: June 16, 2017]
http://www.toanluc.com.vn/lich-su-hinh-thanh.html
8. Toan Luc Trading Joint Stock Company [Online] [Cited: June 16, 2017]
http://www.toanluc.com.vn/chinh-sach-chat-luong.html
9. Toan Luc Trading Joint Stock Company, Financial Statements years 2013 –
2016.
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ANNEXES
ANNEX 1: IMPORT QUANTITY BY PAPER PRODUCTS FROM 2014 TO 2016
CAT LAI PORT IN HOCHIMINH** CAT LAI PORT IN HOCHIMINH*** CAT LAI
TOANLUC
6YWF18
CAT LAI, HCMC
MADE IN JAPAN
NO.101-136,201-218
TOANLUC
6YWF21
CAT LAI, HCMC
MADE IN JAPAN
NO.201-249,301-327
THREE (3)
SINOKOR MERCHANT MARINE CO., LTD.
17.DEC.2016
== ATTACHED RIDER ==
B/L NO : SNKO040161200354
*FAX:84-8-39234681
**CITY,VIETNAM
***CITY,VIETNAM CY
SHIPPING AGENT
SINOKOR VIETNAM CO.,LTD.
SAIGON RIVERSIDE BLDG.,9TH FL.,SUITE #903-904,
2A-4A TON DUC THANG ST.,DIST. 1, HOCHIMINH CITY,VIETNAM
TEL:+84-8-3821-4446~7 FAX:+84-8-3821-4448/3914-4641