Guide to Importing and Exporting

A practical international trade toolkit for readers anywhere in the world.

Whether you are starting an import/export business, expanding into overseas markets, studying international trade or teaching others, Guide to Importing and Exporting provides a step-by-step reference to help you understand and manage the trade process.

Written for an international audience, this illustrated manual explains the principles, procedures and documents used when trading across borders. Readers can apply its guidance to their own business and trading routes, alongside the local customs, tax and regulatory requirements of the countries involved.

Learn how to:

• Assess overseas markets and your business’s readiness to trade.
• Find trading partners and compare distribution options.
• Understand Incoterms, pricing and international transport.
• Compare payment methods and understand letters of credit.
• Work with bills of lading, air waybills, commercial invoices, cargo insurance, certificates of origin and bills of exchange.
• Understand major trade blocs and agreements, including RCEP, CPTPP and AfCFTA.

Practical document examples and illustrations connect the explanations to everyday trade activities, making this a useful learning resource and a working reference you can return to as your business develops.

This sixth edition draws on Corinne Campbell’s more than thirty years of international trade experience and her work as Principal of XDOC, with particular expertise in letters of credit and support for small businesses.

From your first international transaction to your next overseas opportunity, this guide helps you approach importing and exporting with greater understanding and confidence.