Mar 12, 2007 19:37
17 yrs ago
French term

ce qui ne peut

French to English Other Other general usage
Hello, I'm having trouble wrapping my head around a particular sentence--specifically around the "ce qui ne peut" part of the sentence.

The section in question is titled "des surtaxations indues".

The exact sentence is: "L'application de la tariffication se fait parfois à la hausse ce qui ne peut cacher une quelconque connivence entre le douanier et l'importateur."

The rest of the paragraph discusses how poor knowledge of regulations sometimes causes customs agents to demand paperwork that is no longer required. And that without the paperwork, a customs duty is (wrongfully, I assume, if I've been understanding the text correctly) applied.

So... here, does applying higher (than normal/expected/legal) customs duties hide or not hide complicity/collusion between customs agents and importers? Are they saying that there is or is not complicity in this case?

Any help would be appreciated.

Discussion

Terry Richards Mar 13, 2007:
I think the way to read it is as a polite way of saying that the customs are both corrupt AND incompetent. Despite the fact that they are overly friendly with the importers, they sometimes mess up and overcharge them.

Shocked, shocked I am :)
Tony M Mar 13, 2007:
You're right, taking it for granted and trying to make it mean what you want it to mean would be risky!
LAC (asker) Mar 12, 2007:
One would think it would, but I'd hate to take something for granted....
Najib Aloui Mar 12, 2007:
...as smokescreens for bigger deals with...lower duties
Najib Aloui Mar 12, 2007:
Custom duties being made higher totally excludes the possibility of collusion behind the scenes...Since what is at stake in such sorts of collusions is always the level of duties...Always, I think ...Unless perhaps particular cases are used as smokescree

Proposed translations

+1
23 hrs
Selected

which excludes any possible complicity

I would think that they can't be suspected since they apply higher duties, which goes against the importer's interest.
Peer comment(s):

agree Najib Aloui
13 hrs
merci Najib
Something went wrong...
3 KudoZ points awarded for this answer. Comment: "Thanks!"
+1
2 mins

and that cannot hide ...

*
Note from asker:
Thanks, to you too.
Peer comment(s):

agree Vicky Papaprodromou
7 mins
Something went wrong...
+3
11 mins

which, however, cannot hide...

I think you need to supply "however" or "nevertheless" in order to contrast the first clause with the second, and make them fit together in the same sentence.
Note from asker:
Thank you, too.
Peer comment(s):

agree Jock
6 mins
agree Sophie Raimondo
1 hr
agree Terry Richards
12 hrs
Something went wrong...
1 hr

See comments below...

The mere fact that they are being over-charged must not be taken as proof that no collusion is taking place.
Note from asker:
Thanks, also.
Something went wrong...
9 hrs

which cannot hide

I think the best solution is to translate exactly what is written. I agree that it might be confusing, but when there is collusion, it has be to the benefit of the importer, or else what's the point? This said, the text goes on to add that it is "parfois à la hausse", the "parfois" is the circumstance they're talking about. When it isn't "à la hausse", then collusion might be suspected...
Note from asker:
Thank you, too.
Something went wrong...
12 hrs

a fact that cannot be used to hide...(the meaning)

What sorts of benefits beside lower taxes would an importer seek when bribing custom agents? None!

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Note added at 1 day13 hrs (2007-03-14 08:42:42 GMT)
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Not only logics but also the words used here support the interpretation "overtaxation excludes collusion" ..."une quelconque connivence" means "no collusion whatever its form", "no collusion whatsoever"
Note from asker:
Thanks, to you too.
Something went wrong...
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