Universal shopping center for international operation

Abstract

An international transaction system for operation over the internet/intranet provides a pre-transactional calculation of all charges involved in any international transaction. Upon the option of the customer, the goods can be viewed on catalogue sheets translated to a language of the customer's choice, and the price provided in a currency selected by the customer. The customer also has the option of initiating the order with automatic credit authorization, generation of an electronic title or commercial invoice and arrangements and payment of shipping charges and any taxes and import/export duties.

1 . (canceled)  
     
     
         2 . A computer implemented process for carrying out an international commercial transaction between a buyer and a seller pursuant to an INCOTERM selected from the group consisting of EXW, FCA, FAS, FOB, CFR, CIF, CPT, CIP, DAF, DEQ, DDU, and DDP, the process comprising: 
 running a transaction program on a computer system so as to integrate processes including:    (a) receiving a selection of a product to be purchased and a destination for shipping such product to be purchased;    (b) accessing at least one local or remote database for obtaining 
 (i) price information for the product to be purchased; and  
 (ii) a product code from an international goods classification system pertinent to such product; and  
 (iii) international shipping information related to an origination point of such product and said destination;  
   (c) calculating costs involved in transferring such product to said destination based upon said destination and such product;    (d) determining a total cost of the transaction that includes a price of the product wherein the total cost is calculated to represent total finds to be paid by the buyer to the seller;    (e) receiving an order for such product thereby triggering an electronic process for confirming existence of available finds; and    (f) upon confirmation of availability of said funds, accepting said order, generating an electronic record, such record including the content of a commercial invoice, to facilitate delivery of such product to said destination.    
     
     
         3 . The process of  claim 2 , wherein delivery of the product includes delivery via land, air, or sea.  
     
     
         4 . The process of  claim 2 , wherein delivery of the product includes electronic delivery.  
     
     
         5 . A computer implemented process for carrying out an international commercial transaction as defined by an INCOTERM selected from the group consisting of EXW, FCA, FAS, FOB, CFR, CIF, CPT, CIP, DAF, DEQ, DDU, and DDP, the process comprising: 
 running a transaction program on a computer system so as to integrate processes including:    (a) receiving a selection of a product to be purchased and a destination for shipping such product to be purchased;    (b) accessing at least one local or remote database for obtaining 
 (i) price information for the product to be purchased; and  
 (ii) a product code from an international goods classification system pertinent to such product; and  
 (iii) international shipping information related to an origination point of such product and said destination;  
   (c) calculating costs involved in transferring such product to said destination;    (d) receiving an order for such product; and    (e) generating an electronic record, such record including the content of a commercial invoice.    
     
     
         6 . The process of  claim 5 , further comprising the act of determining a total cost of the transaction.  
     
     
         7 . The process of  claim 6 , wherein the transaction is carried out between a buyer and a seller, and wherein the total cost is calculated to represent a total sum of money to be paid from the buyer to the seller.  
     
     
         8 . A computer implemented process for carrying out an international commercial transaction, the process comprising: 
 running a transaction program on a computer system so as to integrate processes including:    (a) receiving a selection of a product to be purchased and a destination for transfer of such product to be purchased, said destination being defined by an INCOTERM selected from the group consisting of EXW, FCA, FAS, FOB, CFR, CIF, CPT, CIP, DAF, DEQ, DDU, and DDP;    (b) accessing at least one local or remote database for obtaining 
 (i) price information for the product to be purchased; and  
 (ii) a product code from an international goods classification system pertinent to such product;  
   (c) calculating costs involved in transferring such product to said destination;    (d) receiving an order for such product; and    (e) generating an electronic record, such record including the content of a commercial invoice.    
     
     
         9 . A computer implemented process for carrying out an international commercial transaction as defined by an INCOTERM selected from the group consisting of EXW, FCA, FAS, FOB, CFR, CIF, CPT, CIP, DAF, DEQ, DDU, and DDP, the process comprising: 
 (a) electronically receiving a selection of a product to be purchased and a destination for shipping such product to be purchased;    (b) accessing at least one local or remote database for obtaining 
 (i) price information for the product to be purchased; and  
 (ii) a product code from an international goods classification system pertinent to such product;  
   (c) electronically calculating costs involved in transferring such product to said destination;    (d) electronically receiving an order for such product; and    (e) generating an electronic record, such record including a name of a buyer, a name of a seller, a description of the product, a total cost, and an indication of whether insurance, freight, and duty are included in the total cost.    
     
     
         10 . A process for transferring goods from a seller to a buyer in a transaction spanning international borders as defined by an INCOTERM selected from the group consisting of EXW, FCA, FAS, FOB, CFR, CIF, CPT, CIP, DAF, DEQ, DDU, and DDP comprising: 
 (a) electronically transferring a selection of an item from a first computer operated by a potential purchaser of said item to a second computer;    (b) electronically transferring a selection of a destination for said item from the first computer to the second computer;    (c) retrieving an electronically stored product code from an international goods classification system pertinent to such item;    (d) electronically calculating a cost of transferring said item under said selected INCOTERM from said seller to said buyer, said cost including a purchase price for said item;    (e) electronically transferring said cost to said buyer;    (f) electronically preparing a data set containing a name of the buyer, a name of the seller, a description of the item, a total cost, and an indication of whether insurance, freight, and duty are included in the total cost.