外贸过程中，拖延付款是常见的。怎样写一封意愿坚定、有理有据、措辞得当的催款信呢？以下给您提供一些参考。

I. USEFUL EXPRESSIONS 常用语

1. How to start your letter? 如何开头？

You have not responded in any way to our recent letters about your past due account.

We remind you once more of your open account that is now ___ days beyond our ___-day terms.

Your account is still unpaid¹ in spite of our continual reminders² asking for payment or an explanation for your delay.

We urgently request that you immediately pay your balance of __, which has been outstanding since ___[date] despite several notices from us.

2. How to warn the recipient⁴ against further delay? 如何警告对方不要拖延？

You must realize that we cannot afford to carry this debt on our books any longer.

Any further delay in paying your balance due cannot be accepted.

You can no longer delay payment if you wish to keep your account open.

Our next step is to take legal action to collect the money due us.

This is unpleasant for both of us and is damaging to your credit rating.

3. How to specify⁵ your deadline or demand immediate³ payment? 怎样说明你的截至期限和要求马上付款？

We must now insist that your send you payment within the next five days.

Unless I receive your remittance⁶ within the next three days, our attorney will be instructed to start proceedings⁷ to recover the debt.

If we do not receive remittance within five days from the above date, we will have no choice but to pursue other collection procedures.

After April 30, we will have no choice but to cancel your credit and turn your account over to a collection agency.

4. How to end your letter? 如何收尾？

We look forward to your prompt payment.

Your immediate response is necessary.

It is up to you if any legal actions will be taken.

Please make every effort to ensure that we are not forced to take this drastic action.

We must hear from you at once to avoid further action.

II. SAMPLE 范文

Dear ___:

I am afraid your failure to settle your account, which is over due for more than six months, will leave us with no alternative but resort to legal proceedings.

This is to notify you that unless we receive your check for $7,550.50 by June 30, we will place your account in the hands of our attorneys for collection.

Yours sincerely,

___[name]

___[title]

III. TIPS 掌握写作要领

1. Choose a firm tone for your letter.

2. Remind the recipient of your previous collection letters.

3. Remind the recipient of all the necessary details:

The amount owed by the recipient

The length of time the bill has been overdue⁸

The additional amount of late charge if there is any

4. Tell the recipient what kind of legal action will be taken if the final collection effort fails.