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 process for effecting transport of goods, said process comprising the steps of:
 a) configuring a transaction for sale of said goods along a predetermined transport route;   b) triggering movement of said goods along said predetermined transport route;   c) generating an electronic document designating ownership of said goods; and   d) tracking movement of said goods to correlate presence of said electronic document with location of said goods along said predetermined transport route.   
     
     
         3 . The process of  claim 2 , further comprising the step of:
 e) modifying said electronic document indicative of movement of said goods along said predetermined transport route.   
     
     
         4 . The process of  claim 2  wherein said transaction includes international transport of said goods. 
     
     
         5 . The process of  claim 2  wherein step (a) of configuring said transaction includes interactive determination between a requesting party and a supplier of said goods, price of said goods and said predetermined transport route. 
     
     
         6 . The process of  claim 4 , wherein said electronic document is provided at authorization points along said predetermined transport route. 
     
     
         7 . The process of  claim 6 , wherein at least some of said authorization points require payment of duties, and said electronic document identifies parties responsible for payment of said duties at a particular authorization point. 
     
     
         8 . The process of  claim 2 , wherein step (a) of configuring said transaction includes designating at least one entity as being responsible for transport of said goods. 
     
     
         9 . The process of  claim 8 , wherein the substep of determining price includes a summation of at least a cost of said goods, a cost of transport, and cost of duties to be paid along said predetermined transport route. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein step (b) of triggering movement of said goods comprises the substep of confirming payment capability from a party requesting said goods. 
     
     
         11 . A method of  claim 2 , wherein step (a) of configuring said transaction comprises accessing at least one of a plurality of data bases containing goods catalogs, transaction languages, transaction currencies, international classification codes and transport providers. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said electronic document serves as at least one of an electronic title, an electronic bill of lading, an electronic receipt for payment of customs/duties, and electronic confirmation of passage through international authorization points. 
     
     
         13 . The process of  claim 12 , wherein said electronic document is accessible by at least one party to said transaction in order to identify movement of said goods along said predetermined transport route.