ce qui ne peut

English translation: which excludes any possible complicity

19:37 Mar 12, 2007

French to English translations [PRO]
Other / general usage

French term or phrase: ce qui ne peut

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.

LAC KudoZ activity Questions: 28 (none open) Answers: 61 France
Local time: 12:48

English translation:which excludes any possible complicity

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

Selected response from:

iol
France
Local time: 12:48

Grading comment

Thanks!
3 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer

Summary of answers provided

4 +3

which, however, cannot hide...

Frank Foley

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

Najib Aloui

3 +1

and that cannot hide ...

Francis MARC

See comments below...

Tony M

3 +1

which excludes any possible complicity

iol

which cannot hide

Raymonde Gagnier

Discussion entries: 5

Answers

2 mins confidence:

peer agreement (net): +1

and that cannot hide ...

Explanation:
*

Francis MARC
Lithuania
Local time: 13:48
Native speaker of:

French
PRO pts in category: 73

Notes to answerer

Asker: Thanks, to you too.

11 mins confidence:

peer agreement (net): +3

which, however, cannot hide...

Explanation:
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.

Frank Foley
Local time: 12:48
Native speaker of: English

Notes to answerer

Asker: Thank you, too.

1 hr confidence:

See comments below...

Explanation:
The mere fact that they are being over-charged must not be taken as proof that no collusion is taking place.

Tony M
France
Local time: 12:48
Works in field
Native speaker of:

English
PRO pts in category: 294

Notes to answerer

Asker: Thanks, also.

9 hrs confidence:

which cannot hide

Explanation:
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...

Raymonde Gagnier
Canada
Local time: 06:48
Native speaker of:

French,

English
PRO pts in category: 8

Notes to answerer

Asker: Thank you, too.

23 hrs confidence:

peer agreement (net): +1

which excludes any possible complicity

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

iol
France
Local time: 12:48
Works in field
Native speaker of: French
PRO pts in category: 6

Grading comment

Thanks!

12 hrs confidence:

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

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

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 day13 hrs (2007-03-14 08:42:42 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

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"

Najib Aloui
Local time: 11:48
Works in field
Native speaker of:

French
PRO pts in category: 8

Notes to answerer

Asker: Thanks, to you too.

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English translation: which excludes any possible complicity

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