Trade Tutorials

The Export Tutorials guide users through international business topics in order to sharpen, refine, or build current knowledge. Read through answers to common questions concerning financial considerations, government regulations, logistics, and sales and marketing to become an exporting expert.

This section of globalEDGE provides interactive educational tools for use in the classroom or in executive training. These modules focus on multiple areas pertinent to international business and most modules include cases or anecdotes, a glossary of terms, quiz questions, and a list of references where applicable. The modules are also excellent resources to prepare for the Certified Global Business Professional Credential.

globalEDGE provides a compilation of definitions and descriptions of terms and acronyms used for International Business. Includes terms used in economics, finance, investing, accounting, tax, and general business language conventions.

The U.S. Small Business Administration's (SBA) Office of International Trade (OIT) developed this Trade Guide as an information tool to assist American business in developing international markets. This Guide will help answer questions and take the mystery out of exporting. Opens in PDF format.

Exporting Your Way to Success is a collection of articles for small businesses or entrepreneurs interested in exploring the world of exporting and also provides the necessary paperwork requirements pertaining to exporting. The site provides links to useful general exporting information as well as information on trade with specific regions.

Foreign Trade Online provides a number of resource items such as directories, a trade glossary, and shipping information. The site includes useful information for exporters such as exchange rates, world time zones, and measurements and conversions. Trade show information and global news are also accessible from the site. Access to certain databases requires a paid membership fee.

This module is the product of a partnership between the U.S. Commercial Service and the Michigan State University Center for International Business Education and Research. The first section covers how to adapt your product to meet government regulations, country conditions, or preferences. The second section covers how to modify your product, labeling, and packaging. There is also a case study included on the company Falcon Waterfree Technologies.

This module is the product of a partnership between the U.S. Commercial Service and the Michigan State University Center for International Business Education and Research. This module covers methods of obtaining foreign trade income, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of technology licensing and joint ventures. There is also a case study included on Spancrete Machinery Corporation.

The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC) provides viewers with information on international trade and supply chain. They provide import and export services for businesses, along with assisting in complex trade financing, Renminbi (RMB) trade settlement, E-enabled trade services, and other trade solutions.

International Business Training (IBT) publishes new articles weekly about various aspects of international trade. These articles cover topics regarding export and import documents, NAFTA and other Free Trade Agreements, export marketing and sales, letters of credit and other payment options, and transportation law. The extensive archives on the site allow you to search for previous articles by topic. Users can access articles for no charge and reference books are available for purchase on the site.

The International Trade Centre (ITC) is the technical cooperation agency of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and the World Trade Organization (WTO) for operational, enterprise-oriented aspects of trade development. ITC supports developing and transition economies, particularly their business sectors, in their efforts to realize the full potential for developing exports and improving import operations. This site features country specific trade data, market development services, and business support resources. Additionally, various publications regarding specific countries, industries, and trade tactics are available for free PDF download under the publications tab. Also, a specific section is provided for exporters, which includes information on export management, quality management, marketing and branding, and more.

The Trade Map by the International Trade Centre is an interactive database pertaining to international trade and exports. Information such as market trends, tariff information, indicators on export performance, market studies, international demand, and a wide array of trade information is available. You can search indicators by country or country groups. A free registration is required to view most content and a paid subscription enables full access to the site.

A service provided by the European Commission in cooperation with member states, consists of a number of databases analyzing market access conditions, barriers to trade, and sanitary and phytosanitary issues for non-EU countries. Access to the SPS Database, Trade Barriers Database, and Statistical Database is free; however, information under the Exporters Guide to Import Formalities and Applied Tariffs is only available to users connecting from any of the 28 European Union member states.

Provided by the Office of the United States Trade Representative, the National Trade Estimate Report on Foreign Trade Barriers includes detailed information on import and export regulations for each country. Additional reports on trade policy, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, and technical barriers to trade are also available. An archive of all the old reports dating back to 2007 is provided under "Reports and Publications" section.

Sponsored by Livingston International Inc., the Basics of Importing and Exporting offers a variety of tools and resources for those interested in importing into the United States or Canada. Here you can find information on classifications and the import and export processes. 

Ralph F. Jagodka's study, which was conducted in 1998, identified the skills needed to be effective in international marketing. This site provides a deeper look at the level of importance of each of these skills.

Trade Services Update, previously named L/C Monitor, is a bi-monthly legal financial journal managed by several business editors from all over the world that covers practical aspects of trade finance such as letters of credit, documentary collections, and related payment instruments. The website also includes a database of all articles previously published by the journal. A free subscription is required to receive the publication and to get a free trial to access the database.

Provided by Trade.gov, the Export Education Guide contains pertinent information on product preparation, finding foreign markets, logistics, and the financial and legal considerations of exporting. Also available is a video series that provides a detailed walk-through of the exporting process in terms of preparation and market entry strategy. 

Created by the International Trade Administration, the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) Tariff Tool provides access to tariff and trade data in a searchable public interface. Users can use the free online tool to see how the United States and FTA partner tariffs on specific products are treated under trade agreements. Tariff elimination schedules are also provided.

TradePort, through the Monterey Bay International Trade Association (MBITA) and the TradePort network, provides a resource center for trade information and assistance. TradePort additionally offers trade development services and support for California and North American businesses seeking to market around the world, international buyers seeking to purchase products from North America, and overseas sellers seeking to market select products in North America.

The U.S. Small Business Administration's Export Library is a collection of resources designed to assist small businesses in exporting their products. There are several quick facts sheets about exporting, along with more in-depth guides and even online courses and informational videos. These resources are designed to help businesses start, grow, and succeed in exporting. These tools can be helpful to anyone considering taking their business global.

The UK Trade Info site provides information and guidelines on various topics including trade statistics, building your own data tables, and the use of Intrastat (Intra EC Trade Statistics). The Intrastat provides a method of collecting information on the movement of goods between countries of the European Union. UK Trade Info outlines all the necessary steps to complete the required paperwork and procedures to trade with the European Union. The Intrastat codes are available on the ICN Online page.

The Institute of Export & International Trade (IOE&IT) is a trade portal catering to United Kingdom businesses looking to expand their services abroad. Topics presented include foreign exchange, traveling in foreign countries, and legal issues one might encounter. While the resource is specifically written for British companies, the information provided is useful to anyone interested in global business. Many of the training services require membership fees, however, plenty of information is available for free.

Export-U is a free export training website funded by the U.S. Department of Commerce. This training site helps small businesses in America grow their sales by conducting international business. Various webinars and training tools are offered to help small businesses prepare for international business operations. A useful links page is also provided. Free registration is required to access the export training tools.

The Trade Finance Guide, provided by the U.S. International Trade Administration, is designed to help U.S. companies learn the basics of trade finance. Individual chapters offer information on financing techniques from open accounts, to forfaiting, to government assisted foreign-buyer financing. The guide is available in PDF as a complete document and as individual chapters.

The UPS Snapshots for Small Businesses guides provide an overview of global markets that present significant opportunity to U.S. businesses, whether they are just beginning to explore international trade or already expanding to new markets. Although the information is geared toward U.S. small businesses, the info is useful to any small business around the world. Snapshot countries include Mexico, Germany, India, Vietnam, Brazil, and Poland. Also included are shipping guides, specifically focusing on shipping to China, Canada, and Mexico.

The World Bank's Trade section features data and statistics on world trade and logistics, as well as publications and reports to be purchased or downloaded. It also offers a series of documents on research topics like poverty and trade. Finally, it provides documents that pertain to topics on training and capacity building, such as agriculture and trade facilitation.