FF Ltd is a food processing company in India. It has received a $30 million export order for canned meat from a new customer in the United States.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (May/June 2025). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. [1] A document of international trade acts as a request/order made by the importer/buyer in one/foreign country/another country
2. [1] to buy/order/import goods from another/different country
3. [1] FF Ltd is exporting more goods to United States/adding to the total exported goods/visible goods of the country/increasing exports/by $30 million/more foreign exchange
4. [1] India has a balance of trade surplus/favourable/positive/improves balance of trade
5. [1] Quotas place a limit on the number/volume of imported canned meat from India
6. [1] reduces the quantity of goods that FF Ltd can export/import into United States/leading to less revenue/sales/profits for FF Ltd/less dumping of goods on the United States market by FF Ltd
7. [1] Oral communication is two-way communication/face-to-face/directly speaking/telephoning or talking to someone
8. [1] Written communication may be handwritten, typed, printed or electronically generated such as letters and email.
9. [1] FF Ltd can have a discussion with the importer so that any points not understood can be clarified
10. [1] There is direct contact so less confusion
11. [1] It can give immediate impact/feedback so that a decision on the delivery issue can be reached quickly
12. [1] It is interactive so is likely to be more effective for both parties
13. [1] Body language can be observed helping to show person's feelings
14. [1] There is no written record so agreed points may be misheard or misunderstood
15. [1] The communication may be poorly organised leading to confusion
16. [1] There may be network problems leading to delays
17. [1] Potential language differences leading to less understanding
18. [1] A written record is kept that both parties so useful for future reference if there is an error so less chance of misunderstanding
19. [1] It allows time for planning a response to the delivery problem so that appropriate feedback can be given
20. [1] Multiple copies can be sent to several people so making it cost-effective
21. [1] Less possibility of information being distorted so fewer chances of misunderstandings/disputes
22. [1] Instant feedback is not usually possible so delaying response to problem
23. [1] There is more time to prepare/deliver message so there may be delay in replying
24. [1] Emails can go into junk folder so delaying communication
25. Evaluation: It is not known whether the delivery issue is urgent but if so, it is recommended that they use a method of oral communication, such as telephone, to gain immediate contact. If not quite so urgent, a written communication method, such as an email, might be used so a written record is created. A written form would be best when there is a problem so there cannot be any later confusion/disagreement.