询盘是进出口业务活动中的重要环节。一般来说，询盘是外贸业务中买卖双方交易磋商的开始。
询盘，也称询价，是指买方向卖方购买商品时要询问某种商品价格.还可询问商品的规格、品质、包装、交货期、支付方式以及索取样品等。
询盘可分为一般询盘和具体询盘：前者是指进口公司为了解情况而向出口公司索取需要的商品目录、价格单、样品等；后者则是指进口公司想要买某种商品，并就指定商品要求出口人报价。
书写询盘函时，首先可以简单而有礼貌地介绍写信的起因，然后踊确说明所需商品的名称，以及希望对方提供信息的具体内容。必要时也可向对方索要商品目录、祥躁等。最后还可以在信中表示要与对方进一步密切业务联系或达成交易的良好愿望。
例信：进口商询盘An Enquiry from Importer
FC Furnimport Co.
Address：19th fl.，Shandong International Trade Mansion
51 Taiping Rd.，Qingda0，266001 China
Tel：0086—532—82972566
Fax：0086—532—82972335
E—mail：
[email protected] Date：May 21，2006
Stars Properties C0.
145 Weat Street
San Francisc0，IL 60609
U.S.A
Dear Sirs，
Having obtained your name and address from Messrs Anderson&Co.，we are writing to enquire whether you are willing to establish relations with us，
We have been importers of office equipment for many years.At present，we are interested in Swivel Chairs and would appreciate your sending some detailed information regarding the best price。discounts and delivery time.Please also send US some catalogues if available.
We thank you in advance for your kind attention and assure you that your quotation will certainly receive our careful consideration.
We hope this will be a good start for our long and mutually beneficial business relations.
Yours faithfully，
Furnimport Corp.（signature）
Wang Hailei
Assistant Manager
注释：
1.obtain your name and address from…：从……处得知贵公司名称和地址2.enquire（inquire）：v询问，询盘，询购
Thank you for your letter of May 8 enquiring about mountain bicycles.
贵方5月8日询盘山地自行车函收悉，谢谢。
The goods you enquire for are out of stock at present.
你们所询购的货物现已售完。
We are enquiring for sunflower seeds.
我们正在询盘葵花籽。
3.establish relations：建立业务关系，也可写作enter into/set up relations
4.appreciate：v感谢，感激
We highly appreciate your close cooperation. 我们十分感激你方的密切合作。
We shall appreciate hearing from you again. 我们将乐于再次收到你方来信。
We would appreciate it if you would send us your samples by airmail. 如能航寄样品，不胜感激。
It will be appreciated if you can offer us the lowest prices. 如能报最低价，不胜感激。
5.detailed information：详细情况
6.best price：最好价格（注意该词随说话人的角度不同而有不同的意思，可以是“最高价格”，也 可以是“最低价格”）
7.delivery time：交货期
8.catalogue：商品目录，illustrated catalogue插图目录
9.available：可得到的，可购的，可利用的（作定语时常后置） Please ship the goods by the first steamer available.
请用第一艘便轮装运这些货物。
We will inform you as soon as the goods are available. 一旦有货，当即告知。
10.in advance：事先，预先
As the stock is limited，we require payment in advance. 因存货有限，我们要求预付货款。
11.assure：v.使确信，使放心，向……保证
We assure you of our readiness to cooperate with you. 我们保证愿与你合作。
We assure you that we shall do our best to expedite the shipment. 我们保证将尽速装运
Please be assured of our continued cooperation. 请相信我方将继续与你合作。
12.quotation：n.报价
P1ease make/give US your lowest quotation for Nike basketball shoes.请报耐克篮球鞋最低价。
quote：v报价
Please quote US your lowest price CIF Liverp001.请向我方报成本加运保费利物浦最低价。
Please quote US the price for 34”colour TV sets.请向我方报34英寸彩电价。
