Advanced Import Export Online short course

Advanced Import Export Online short course

This course will teach you the correct procedures when importing and exporting, This Course granulates the Import Export Process Further and should be completed by people that have knowledge of Import Export Procedures including, Incoterms, Trade agreements, Equipment, Volumetric Weight Calculations, and Documentation that can be found in our Essential import export course 

This course is aimed at a senior level and Covers 

• International Trade
• Incoterms
• Import Administration
• Export Administration
• Certificates of Origin
• Landed Costing

International Trade:

Module Topics

Supply and demand in the global market.

• The concept of “scarce resources” is understood and explained.
• The concept of “Opportunity cost” is understood and explained.
• The impact of Supply and demand (including that of shortage, surplus and price elasticity) on the specific industry is explained.

Absolute and comparative advantage and the need for International Trade

• The reasons for international trade are explained.
• The concept of absolute advantage is explained
• The concept of comparative advantage is explained.
• The global pattern of maritime trade and the reasons therefore are explained.
• The differences between freight buying and selling locally, as opposed to importing and exporting to and from international organisations is explained.

Underpinning components of the value chain. 

• The Concept “value-chain” is explained.
• The concept and impact of “Inbound logistics” on the specific organisational function is explained.
• The concept and impact of “Outbound logistics” on the specific organisational function is explained.
• Transport costs in the supply chain are identified and explained
• The role of exchange rates in international trade is explained.

Know and demonstrate an understanding of the basic philosophy of international trade agreements.

• The concept and utilisation of Trade agreements is explained.
• Current trade agreements affecting the ships agency industry are identified, and the impact there-of on the industry are explained.
• Import and export customs tariffs and their effect on ships agency operations are explained.
• Protective barriers in international trade are explained.
• The concepts of ownership and risk involved in trade, and their relationship to payment within the international trade environment are explained.

Know and demonstrate an understanding of the different modes of transport, and support services in international trade.

• The concept of distribution of goods from producer to end-user is explained.
• The various modes of transport (including air, road, rail and shipping) are identified.
• The difference between the various modes of transport in terms of their relative advantages and disadvantages, are explained.
• The basic role of support services (Range: Customs, Forwarding, Clearing, Warehousing, 2nd and 3rd party Logistics Service Providers, Ships Agency) within the global transport industry is explained.

Know and demonstrate a comprehension of the Southern African market context.

• The Southern African markets related to the shipping industry in terms of our trading partners and the nature and volume of trade are understood.
  Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Western Cape, Eastern Cape & SADC members
• The commodities commonly imported and exported by sea, road, rail and air are explained.
  [e.g Sea – Dry bulk, Breakbulk, Fluids, Liner]
• The transport infrastructure related to each mode of transport is explained.
  [ e.g. SARS, Port Authorities, Customs, Rail, Ports, Coastal and Inland Terminals]

Incoterms 2020 Rules:

Module Topics

• What are Incoterms?
• History of Incoterms
• Purpose of Incoterms
• Structure of Incoterms
• Key changes in Incoterms 2020
• EXW – Ex Works
• FCA – Free Carrier
• FAS – Free Alongside Ship
• FOB – Free on Board
• CFR – Cost and Freight
• CIF – Cost, Insurance and Freight
• CPT – Carriage Paid To
• CIP – Carriage and Insurance Paid to
• DAP – Delivered at Place
• DPU – Delivered Place Unpacked
• DDP – Delivered Duty Paid
• Factors to consider when choosing an Incoterm
• How to select the right Incoterm for your transaction
• Avoiding common mistakes when using Incoterms
• Make recommendations

Import Administration:

Module Topics

Conducting import shipment activities.

• The commodity to be imported is assessed in terms of supplier, source, price, quality, urgency and physical characteristics. Physical characteristics may include but are not limited to weight, measurement, packing requirements, specialised handling requirements.
• The Customs tariff classification of the commodity is determined by reference to subject matter expertise.
• Specifications for packing and transport mode and routing are written to meet commodity assessment requirements.
• Requirements for supplier performance are specified in terms of supply date, documentation and commercial performance. Commercial performance may include but are not limited to quality, responsibilities, costs and risks.
• Legislative requirements for the import of the commodity are specified for the commodity to be imported.
  Legislative requirements may include but are not limited to quotas, import permits, plant and health certificates, South African Bureau of Standards authorisation, certificates of origin, South African Police Services authorisation.
• Clearance method is determined in terms of the organisation’s inventory management policy. Clearance method may include but is not limited to duty paid (DP), industrial rebate (IR), warehousing (WH), general rebates (GR), warehousing for export (WE), removal in bond (RIB), removal in transit (RIT).
• Landed costs are determined for the import transaction.
• Consequences of inadequate import planning are explained in terms of their impact on the organisation.

Arranging payment terms and methods.

• Method and terms of payment are organised in terms of the purchase contract.
• Financial exposure represented by the transaction is advised to affected parties.
• The consequences of not arranging payment terms and methods are explained in terms of their impact on the organisation.

Organising service providers.

• Forwarder is advised of responsibilities by means of purchase order.
• Bookings are effected with carriers in terms of the Incoterms of the transaction.
• Transit risk is managed in terms of insurance declaration.

Conforming to statutory requirements.

• Supplier country statutory export control measures are complied with through the issue of relevant authorisations. Relevant authorisations may include but are not limited to export permits, health and veterinary certificates, Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) certificates.
• Import country statutory requirements are complied with through customs and port/airport clearances.
• Consequences of not complying with export and import country statutory requirements are explained in terms of resultant penalties.

Processing international trade documentation.

• Purchase order is completed and distributed in terms of international purchase contract.
• Clearing and delivery instruction is issued to clearing and forwarding agent.
• Financial instruments are documented and distributed in order to pay for goods.
  Financial instruments may include but are not limited to letters of credit, bills of exchange, and documentary collection instructions.

Administering international purchase activities.

• Progress of purchase order is monitored from placing of order to final delivery using a track and tracing system.
• Payments to suppliers and service providers are checked and authorised according to organisational procedures.
• Claims are lodged in respect of lost, damaged and discrepant cargo with responsible parties and risk managers.
• Importing activities are reported to affected parties in accordance with organisational policies and procedures.
• Suggestions for continuous improvement are made in accordance with quality management principles.
• Advanced Payment Notification

Export Administration:

Module  Topics

Planning an export transaction.

• Regulations pertaining to the export of the goods and their import into the foreign country are identified for the purpose of determining the viability of the transaction.
• Transport mode for the transaction is determined by taking into account the relevant transport variables.
• Relevant variables may include but are not limited to type of cargo, value of cargo, size of shipment and urgency with which shipment is required.
• Routing of cargo is determined taking into account the relevant routing variables.
  Relevant routing variables may include but are not limited to carrier availability, port airport restriction, equipment availability, transit speed considerations and limitations.
• International commercial terms are negotiated in terms of buyers and sellers relative bargaining power with carriers and service providers.
• Contract terms and payment methods are negotiated in order to satisfy buyers and sellers respective requirements for security and cash flow management.
• Risk is determined in order to apply risk management measures.
• Total cost in use of the goods to be sold is calculated to determine the viability of the transaction.
• The consequences of inadequate export planning are explained in terms of damages and costs.

Sourcing trade finance.

• Cash flow requirements of the trade transaction are analysed to determine trade finance tools to be used.
• Trade finance tools may include but are not limited to pre and post shipment finance, export factoring, invoice discounting, export finance schemes, supplier/ buyer credit financing, hire purchase and leasing.
• Potential export trade finance providers are evaluated against the requirements of the transaction.
• Export trade finance providers may include but are not limited to financial institutions, Credit Guarantee Insurance Company (CGIC), Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) World Bank, International Monetary Fund (IMF), Confirming Houses and export finance houses.
• Trade finance is negotiated to meet the requirements of the transaction.
• The potential pitfalls of incorrect trade finance contracts are explained in terms of the harm that can befall the organisation.

Choosing service providers.

• Transport providers are selected and appointed in terms of the transaction plan.
• Transport providers may include but are not limited to air, sea road, rail, carriers, groupage operators/NVOCCs, airfreight consolidators, port and airport authorities.
• Support services providers are selected and appointed in terms of the transaction plan.
• Support service providers may include but are not limited to forwarding and clearing agents, third and forth party logistics providers, financial institutions, risk management organisations.
• The consequences of appointing incorrect service providers are explained in terms of damages and costs.

Conforming to statutory requirements.

• Overseas buyer country requirements in terms of packaging and labelling are complied with.
• Local selling and overseas buyer country requirements in terms of prohibitions and restrictions are complied with.
• Prohibitions and restrictions may include but are not limited to live animals, animal products, plants, endangered species, perishables, medicines, dangerous goods, valuable goods, human remains.
• Port and airport authority requirements in exporting and importing country are complied with in terms of ports and airport clearance procedures.
• Currency control requirements in export and import country are complied with in terms of exchange control regulations.
• Local Customs requirements are complied with in terms of export and import clearance procedures.
• Pre-shipment inspection procedures are carried out in conformity with the requirements of the export and import countries.
• The consequences of failing to comply with export and import country statutory requirements are explained in terms of the detrimental effects to the organisation.

Finalising international trade documentation.

• Import documentation is obtained in terms of the commodity and statutory requirements of the destination country.Import documentation may include but is not limited to import permits, health certificates.
• Commercial and product documentation is completed to meet contractual requirements.
  Commercial and product documentation may include but is not limited to commercial invoices, packing lists, material safety data sheets, dangerous goods declarations, certificates of analysis, certificate of origin.
• Currency control documentation is completed and attested in terms of central bank requirements in the exporting and importing countries.
• Written instructions are prepared for the freight forwarder to carry out the freight logistics operation.
• Shipping instructions are issued to carriers manually or via the internet.
  Shipping instructions may include but are not limited to airway bills, seafreight instructions.
• The consequences of failing to prepare and submit correct international trade documentation timeously are explained in terms of the detrimental effects on the organisation.

Managing export incentives. 

• The requirements of the Government export incentive schemes are explained with examples.
• Market intelligence and business opportunities are secured in order to establish possible incentive opportunities.
• Procedures are followed in order to comply with export incentive scheme requirements.
• Export transactions are carried out in compliance with export incentive scheme requirements.
• Export incentive claims are processed according to export incentive scheme requirements.

Certificates of Origin:

Module Topics

Explaining the reasons for the certification of Certificates of Origin and other commercial documents.

• The role of Chambers of Commerce in international trade is explained
• The need for certified Certificates of Origin and other commercial documents in international trade is explained in terms of the knowledge requirements of the Issuing Body.
• The Kyoto Convention, responsibilities of issuers, accreditation, undertakings given by authorised issuing bodies, Rules and Regulations compiled from ICC and WTO Practice Notes, roles of Customs.

Scrutinising source documentation.

• The concept of documentary evidence of origin requirement is applied in scrutinising source documentation in accordance with the policies, processes and procedures of the Issuing Body.
• Requirement and exceptions to the requirement of documentary evidence of origin, origin criteria, rules of origin, requests for control.
• Applications and forms of documentary evidence are examined to determine compliance with the criteria for certifying Certificates of origin and other commercial documents within the time parameters and in accordance with the policies, processes and procedures of the Issuing Body.
• The Chamber of Commerce Certificate of origin, Generalised System of Preferences Form A, Chamber Regulations, checking operations, double checking procedures.

Certifying certificates of origin and other commercial documents in conformity with the regulations, processes and procedures of the Issuing Body.

• Procedures for the certification (or the refusal of such certification) of Certificates of Origin and other commercial documents are applied within the parameters laid down by the Issuing Body.
• Evidence considerations, refusal procedures, confidentiality, control of certification stamp, detailed certification requirements, other problems with certification, certification of invoices and other commercial documents.
• The risks associated with the certification of Certificates of Origin and other commercial documents are explained in the manner required by the Issuing Body.
• Risks from the exporters’, Issuing Bodies and Customs points of view.

Creating and maintaining records in conformity with the minimum requirements of the Issuing Body.

• The recording-keeping requirements for the certification service are described in conformity with the requirements of the Issuing Body.
• Essential office records, retention of records.
• The certification service record system is established and kept in accordance with the requirements of the Issuing Body.
• Records and files relating to applicant and/or exporting companies, storage provision and general administration and financial records.
• Consequences of not creating and maintaining records are explained in terms of the consequences to all parties.

Dealing with queries relating to the certification of Certificates of Origin and other commercial documents.

• Deal with queries relating to the certification of Certificates of Origin and other commercial documents.
• The nature of the query received is identified according to the Issuing Body’s procedures.
• Queries are attended to as required by the nature of the query and the Issuing Body’s procedures.
• All queries are dealt with in a timely manner which promotes customer service.
• Administrative tasks related to the query are completed according to the Issuing Body’s procedures.
• Unresolved queries are escalated to the appropriate authority level as required by the Issuing Body’s policies and procedures.

Intermodal Surface Landed Costing:

Module Topics

Plan an intermodal costing.

• The parameters used in intermodal costings are explained in terms of the different types of cargo movement.
• Parameters may include but are not limited to rail/road truck load rates, road freight ton, harbour ton, freight ton, container commodity rate, Freight All Kinds (FAK) container rate, port to port rate and intermodal freight rates (Full Container Load and groupage rates) and transport rate surcharges.

Shipments are analysed to determine costing requirements.

• Costings are structured to include all elements.
• Elements may include but are not limited to inland transport, storage and handling; terminal and depot charges; port and harbour charges; seafreight costs; duties, imposts and value added taxes; insurance premiums; documentation and agency fees.
• The consequences of omitting cost elements are explained with examples.

Source and apply intermodal costing components.

• Transport and other service provider tariffs are scrutinised to determine transport base rates.
• Alternative shipment methods and routings are costed to make recommendations to client.
• Intermodal costings are completed in terms of selected shipment methods and routings.
• Apply quality control to the intermodal costing function.

Duration 

This course is self-paced. You may begin at any time and should take approximately 24 weeks to complete on a part time basis.(6-8 Hours of Study per module) 

Course Delivery

The course is delivered through the School of Shipping Learning website and allows you to study at your own pace. Our courses can be started on Demand.

A Subject Matter Expert with over 40 years Managerial and operational experience in Freight Forwarding, International Trade and customs compliance  will provide you with academic support through the learning website and a Course Coordinator will also be available on email and telephone to provide you with administrative support.

Assessment and Award of the Certificate

Each module has a formative and summative assessment which you will need to achieve a mark of 60% or higher  to receive the certificate of competence on the

Entry Requirements

In order to do this course you will require:

• An email account
• Access to a computer and the internet
• Be able to open and read PDF documents
• A keen desire to learn and advance your career

If you need to learn how to  Export then please navigate to our  Export course here