Capacity Building
View ResourceE-learning short videos: Regional Trade Agreements
This video is part of the WTO's e-Campus learning program. It provides an explanation of how regional trade agreements work in relation to WTO rules.
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E-Learning short videos – The SPS Agreement
This short video provides an overview of the WTO's Agreement on Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Measures, describing what SPS measures can entail; what the agreement's objective is; what the main disciplines are; and practical examples of its application.
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The International Chamber of Commerce, Online training and certificates
To provide short, accessible training courses on various trade topics, from trade finance to Incoterms, along with recognized professional certificates
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Global Trade Helpdesk
This site provides market intelligence for MSMEs looking to trade abroad, both for importing and for exporting. It includes a host of integrated tools, tutorials, product finders by Harmonized System (HS) codes, data sources, and much more.
View GuideBasics of Exporting
What are exports? Exports are defined as both the action of sending goods to another country or customs territory, and the goods themselves.
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Where Can I Find Trade Resources and Get Started?
Where do I start? An essential first step in the export process is ensuring your products are classified correctly. Identifying your product’s Harmonized System (HS) code also helps to find the information most useful to your business needs as you look to trade. The Trade4MSME guide on How Do I Determine My Product’s HS Code, provides detailed information on how to find the right classification. Once you know your HS Code, the internet offers a variety of online tools, platforms, and interfaces that provide relevant trade information. One of these online resources is the Global Trade Helpdesk (GTH) The GTH is a multi-agency initiative that facilitates market research for companies, by integrating trade and business information into a single online portal. It builds on existing trade information services being offered by several international organizations, enabling businesses to access a wealth of global trade resources. What types of information does the Global Trade Helpdesk offer? The GTH allows businesses to explore markets, assess requirements, navigate procedures, and identify partners through its four modules: The first module offers an insight into the target market attractiveness and a snapshot of this market performance and access conditions. The second module helps businesses to assess market access conditions, including tariffs, regulations, and private standards. The third module offers overall guidance on domestic procedures, including time and cost to export, step-by-step procedures, and information related to intellectual property rights. Finally, the fourth module provides relevant contact details for both potential buyers and trade support institutions. Full details are at the GTH site. What trade information tools are integrated into the GTH? Trade Map: analyses global trade flows, export/import performance, international demand, alternative markets, and the role of competitors. Market Access Map: identifies customs tariffs, tariff rate quotas, trade remedies, regulatory requirements, and preferential regimes. UNCTAD (United Nations Conference on Trade and Development) TRAINS: provides data on non-tariff measures at the HS 6-digit product classification across more than 90 countries. Export Potential Map: highlights markets, products, and suppliers with export potential, as well as opportunities for diversification in international markets. Trade Information Portals: Ten countries have their trade information portals linked to the GTH. These portals visualize step-by-step guides to trade procedures. Trade Facilitation Database: analyses the implementation status of the World Trade Organization’s Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) and provides information about trade procedures, enquiry points, customs brokers, and single windows. Sustainability Map: highlights business strengths and sustainability credentials to access new markets and preferential credits. ePing Alert notifies businesses about product requirements and facilitates dialogues on potential trade problems at earlier stages. Regional Network Hubs: Business social networks can help businesses reach regional and global clients, suppliers, and investors. For example: ConnectAmericas or Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) MSME Marketplace Rules of Origin Facilitator: enables businesses to find import duties in foreign markets appropriate to their products, as well as identifying detailed rules of origin, potential duty savings and certification procedures. Links to Supporting Information Trade4MSMEs guide How Do I Determine My Product’s HS Code? Global Trade Helpdesk Global Trade Helpdesk Trade map Trade Map – Trade statistics for international business development Market Access Map Market Access Map (macmap.org) UNCTAD TRAINS TRAINS Online (unctad.org) Export potential map Export Potential Map (intracen.org) Trade information portals Global Trade Helpdesk Trade Facilitation database Traders | TFAD – Trade Facilitation Agreement Database Sustainability Map Sustainability Map ePing alert Home – ePing SPS&TBT platform (epingalert.org) Connect Americas About ConnectAmericas | ConnectAmericas Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) MSME Marketplace APEC MSME Marketplace Rules of Origin Facilitator Rules of Origin Facilitator ITC ITC Benchmarking for Trade | ITC Benchmarking for Trade
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Export Readiness Assessment Guide
Is my business export ready? One of the first questions to consider is why Export? What are the benefits? Research shows companies that export are more profitable, more productive and more innovative than those that do not. Research has shown that businesses are 11% more likely to survive if they export. The reasons for this range from spreading export risk amongst different country markets, to increasing turnover and improving innovation by developing specific services for specific overseas markets. Increased Sales – If you are selling well in your own home market, and your service is in demand, exporting is a way to develop new additional sales in other countries. If your services are in demand at home, then there is likely to be significant demand in foreign markets. Higher profits result from increased sales – If you can cover fixed costs through domestic operations or other types of financing, your export profits can grow very quickly. Economies of scale – You can benefit from the cost savings when you produce and sell more services. The benefits from the economies of scale can be very advantageous. Global competitiveness – The experience your company gains internationally will help keep you competitive in both your home market and in the global marketplace. Domestic competitiveness – Successful exporting companies are often more resilient to potential foreign competition. Reduced risk – If you can sell into several different countries, you are spreading the risk. If you diversify into international markets, you avoid depending on a single marketplace and suffering from any domestic instability. New knowledge & experience leads to innovation – The global marketplace abounds with new ideas, approaches and marketing techniques that could also prove successful in your home market. Adaptations to your service for example leads to new innovations and new service development. Trading internationally not only helps with all of the above, in addition trading globally can boost your company’s profile, reputation and credibility. Is my business export ready? We live in an increasingly interconnected world, which means that businesses of all sizes might receive enquiries from buyers in other countries. An export-ready business is one that has the capacity, resources and management to deliver a marketable service on a global scale at a competitive price. To determine if your business is ready to export internationally you can do your own export readiness assessment. Here is a check list of areas to consider Set clear and achievable export objectives. Develop an Export Plan. Understand your service USPs (unique selling points) in export markets. Formulate a realistic idea of what exporting entails and create a timetable for results. Understand what is required to succeed in the international marketplace. Confirm you have staff in place with the knowledge and skills to trade internationally or are willing to learn Is finance in place to help scale up for export? Undertake market research and decided on the best international target markets. These could be neighbour countries who are part of a trading bloc or developed countries with large populations and large purchasing power. Understand international marketing requirements. Research your competitors – both international competitors but also competitors based in the country which you want to export to. Considered any adaptations that may be required. Understand any cultural and language needs. Research your market entry strategy how, and to whom you will sell to in the export markets: Direct sales to a business or consumer / Intermediary representatives / licensing / foreign direct Investment through establishing a company in your target export market Understand destination country regulations, export and import documentation, customs requirements and procedures. You can also use export readiness assessment tools. A typical export readiness assessment will involve answering questions to determine a final score. This score is then used to help guide businesses through the necessary steps to become fully export ready. See the links for more information. Links to Supporting Information The Canadian Trade Commissioner Service Step-by-Step Guide to Exporting(tradecommissioner.gc.ca) Official Website of the International Trade Administration USA Exporter Assessments (trade.gov) Government of Canada Export quiz Are you ready? (international.gc.ca) Caribbean Export Development Agency 10 Steps to Exporting | Caribbean Export (carib-export.com) Kenya Export Promotion & Branding Agency BrandKE – Guide to Exporting
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Enquiry/Contact Points
What are enquiry points? Enquiry/contact points are officials in government agencies tasked with answering questions that anyone involved in international businesses may have about trade requirements, such as sanitary and phytosanitary measures (SPS) and technical barriers to trade (TBT). (See Trade4MSMEs guides on SPS and TBT) Where can I find enquiry points for TBT and SPS matters? TBT and SPS enquiry points must be notified to the World Trade Organization (WTO). The ePing Alert also provides a list with enquiry points for TBT and SPS measures notified by over 180 countries or territories. To contact the relevant enquiry points for your trade transactions, you can begin by checking the resource materials made available by ePing Alert. Also on that website, you can subscribe to receive notifications on TBT and SPS regulations that may affect your products and identify who to contact for any enquiries you may have. How can I contact enquiry points for other goods trade procedures? The Global Trade Helpdesk (GTH) provides information on enquiry points that you can contact to ask about matters related to exports, imports, and transit procedures. It also describes single window platforms (see the Trade4MSMEs guide on single windows) that you can use to submit all documents required by customs and other agencies to comply with local requirements and border procedures. When using the GTH website, you can check the section on navigating trade procedures by typing in the information required for your desired export or import transactions. Where can I learn more? The Trade Facilitation Agreement Facility (TFAF): The World Trade Organization has an online Trade Facilitation Agreement Facility that lists contact points for trade facilitation matters reported by about ninety countries or territories. If you need assistance with other trade-related matters, you can reach out to the contact points listed, they may be able to answer questions or direct you to the relevant enquiry officials. Links to Supporting Information Trade4MSMEs guide Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures Trade4MSMEs guide Technical Barriers to Trade The ePing alert Enquiry point – ePing SPS&TBT platform ePing SPS&TBT Platform Home – ePing SPS&TBT platform The Global Trade Helpdesk Global Trade Helpdesk TRADE4MSMEs Guide Single Windows WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement Facility Contact Points | TFAF
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Competition Policy
What is competition policy? Competition policy comprises the full range of measures that may be used to promote competitive market structures and behaviour by enterprises, ...
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Exchange rates
What are Exchange Rates? Has your business ever managed a financial transaction to buy foreign supplies or sell products overseas?
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Rules of Origin – for Businesses
What are rules of origin? Rules of origin (ROOs) are a set of laws, regulations, and administrative procedures that countries impose to determine where an imported product comes from.
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Basics of Importing
What are imports? Imports are defined as both the action of bringing goods into a country or customs territory, and the actual goods themselves. For example, imports are goods or services that buyers in one country purchase from sellers in another country. Domestic businesses bring in imports from overseas for many purposes, for example, to access new products that are not available in their home country, or to reduce manufacturing costs. Imports are delivered in many ways. They can be shipped by air, sea or road freight, sent by postal/mail services, or even hand-carried in personal luggage on a plane. The cross-border aspect of international trade means that importing businesses are sometimes required to obtain licenses or permits to clear imports through customs, and to comply with safety standards. Resources that can help businesses get started with importing include local chambers of commerce, industry associations, and trade agencies. Businesses can also access the Global Trade Helpdesk, an online portal that provides information on trade requirements, procedures and relevant business partners. What should I consider before importing? Before importing goods from overseas, business owners should consider a number of factors. The importing process can be expensive, due to the need for transportation, insurance, foreign exchange, and other steps. For example, some or all of the import process will require the importing company to contract third party service suppliers such as: customs brokers, currency dealers, translators, freight forwarders Businesses need to incorporate these cost considerations in their cash flows, and in addition, consider supplier reliability. Businesses should identify dependable and reliable suppliers that can provide the necessary services while also fulfilling quantity, quality, and regulatory requirements. What are the key practical steps for importing? Before importing, businesses should check the steps required and any relevant prohibitions or import procedures for the item being considered. Practical steps that importing businesses may consider include: Finding a foreign supplier: One way to start is by consulting with your local chamber of commerce, trade agencies, and business network about possible suppliers. You can also identify potential trade partners and business contacts at trade fairs and events organized by business support organizations. Online marketplaces are also an important way to connect importers and exporters. TheTrade4MSME guide on Selling Abroad Online also provides additional information. Reviewing import conditions, duties, and compliance requirements: Duties are tariffs applied to the planned imports the Trade4MSME guide on How do I determine my product’s HS code contains more detailed information on how various products may attract different rates of duty. Compliance requirements include: health safety environmental technical regulations that certify products and help standardize certain products within a country. registration and marketing rules for engaging in the importing process also need to be considered. Organizing sales by defining contractual liabilities with foreign suppliers for the delivery and insurance of imports: In the case of importing goods, contracts can also specify transport and shipment conditions see the Trade4MSME guide on Logistics for more information. Preparing all required paperwork for the border: This may include: presenting a customs declaration to the national customs authority, preparing a commercial invoice, insurance and transport documents, certificate of origin, import license, or other documentation. Links to Supporting Information Global Trade Helpdesk a multi-agency initiative jointly led by ITC, UNCTAD, and the WTO Global Trade Helpdesk Canadian Small Business Development Center – Guide to Imports Importing Guide European Commission Guide to Imports – Checklist of 4 Steps to Import a Product Guide for import of goods | Access2Markets Trade4MSMEs guide Selling Abroad Online Trade4MSMEs guide How Do I Determine My Product’s HS Code? Trade4MSMEs guide Logistics
