Trayectos HAZMAT Customer Service · Topic 4 of 6

Document Discrepancies

Solve paperwork problems before they stop a load: a quantity that doesn't match at customs, the wrong UN number on a bill of lading, and new loading specifications from the plant. Designed for 15-minute sessions.

Level B13 dialoguesMeetings & negotiation15-minute sessions

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Key Vocabulary

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Vocabulary warm-up

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    My Script: Fixing Documents

    Your key lines for meetings and emails with customers. Build each sentence from the end, one piece at a time, then say the full line.

    Let's talk

    Answer with your teacher. Use the vocabulary and grammar from this topic.

    Spanglish check

    Words that Mexican logistics teams use every day, and what U.S. customers actually say.

    In a Mexican officeWith a U.S. customer
    “Hay una discrepancia en los papeles”The documents don't match / there's a mismatch
    “El agente aduanal”the customs broker
    “Que nos corrijan la factura”Could you issue a corrected invoice?
    “Los sellos del tanque”the tank seals
    “Las especificaciones de la terminal”the plant's loading specs / loading requirements

    False friends

    These words look like Spanish words, but they mean something different.

    EnglishLooks like…Actually means…
    discrepancydiscrepanciasame meaning; in daily English also mismatch
    pedimento(no English word)the Mexican customs entry; explain it as the Mexican import entry
    signsignofirmar; signature = firma
    gallongalónU.S. gallon = 3.785 liters; always confirm the unit

    Cultural note

    U.S. shippers prepare the bill of lading, so ask them to correct it; never change a shipping document yourself. Ask for a corrected or reissued document.

    Be precise with numbers and units: 25,000 liters is not the same as 25,000 gallons. Reading numbers back slowly (two five, zero zero zero) avoids expensive mistakes.

      Read and pronounce

      Read and pronounce

      Listen to the model, tap Say it and say each sentence out loud. Bold words are the strong ones, gray words are soft and quick, and the underlined word carries the main stress. The app checks your pronunciation and marks any word it did not hear clearly.

      Practiced: 0/8Correct: 0/8Works best in Chrome or Edge. The browser asks for the microphone the first time.
      1

      The quantity on the invoice doesn't match the bill of lading.

      2

      Which one is correct?

      3

      Our driver can't leave with the wrong UN number.

      4

      It should read UN 1220, isopropyl acetate, 3, Packing Group II.

      5

      Could you send me the new specifications in writing?

      6

      Thanks for catching it, Paula. What are the two numbers?

      7

      Will do. I'll confirm with you as soon as they send it.

      8

      Absolutely. I'll reissue the bill of lading right now.

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