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Digital trade

Deepen your understanding of the evolving world of digital trade and emerging technologies with our introductory guides and toolkits or certify your knowledge with our digital trade certification. All authored by industry-leading digital trade practitioners.

What is digital trade?

Digital trade refers to the process of exchanging goods, services, and related information across borders through digital means, particularly focusing on the digitisation of information flows. In traditional international trade, documentation and data related to transactions are often managed manually using paper, leading to inefficiencies, higher costs, and increased chances of discrepancies or fraud.

Digital trade, on the other hand, involves the electronic exchange of trade-related data and documents, which can significantly speed up trade processes, reduce costs, and make global commerce more accessible, especially for small and medium sized enterprises.

The shift to digital trade helps streamline supply chains, reduce environmental impact, and create a more efficient and secure global trading system.

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Free digital trade resources

See all
19 September 2024

Digital Trade 101: What you need to know

This guide explores the realities of trade as it is, with an understanding of the challenges and ben...
4 September 2024

MLETR: An overview of UNCITRAL’s Model Law on Electronic Transferable Records

In a discussion with Tianmi Stilphen, Lead of Legal Reform at ICC DSI, we discuss frequent...
12 December 2022

Insider thoughts: Digitisation allows companies to access future technologies

This is an interview with Alisa DiCaprio , Chief Economist at R3, a financial service...

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Digital trade certifications and courses

Certification

Certificate in Digital Trade Strategy (CDTS)

Learn the key aspects of digital trade, including essential macro perspectives and micro-level applications and standards.

US$499
Course

Digital Trade Finance & Fintechs

Get to grips with the digital trade ecosystem including the advent of fintechs, the legal, regulatory and commercialisation challenges involved

US$200
These companies use ICC Academy’s digital trade certifications and courses

Hear from our alumni

18 December 2024

‘Innovation is in our DNA’: A career in transaction banking and trade finance

In this alumni interview, we speak with Faisal Abdul Karim, Director at Standard Chartered Bank, to ...
27 September 2024

‘The storm is normal’: Insights into a career in logistics and supply chain management

In this alumni interview, we speak with Praveenkumar Miriyala, Procurement and Logistics Coordi...
10 February 2023

A career in commodity trade logistics: Insights from Raphaelle Hemmerlin, Sucafina.

In the latest of our interviews with senior trade professionals, we spoke to Raphaelle Hemmerli...

What our students say

Getting training directly from the 'horse's mouth' is more valuable to me - and other people looking to work with me - than having my knowledge certified by a third party who has not created the Incoterms® rules.

Procurement and Logistics Coordinator, Bambaw

"I enrolled in the CTFP because this certification is authored by leading trade finance experts from the ICC’s Banking Commission, making it one of the most credible programmes available in the market. Each course is structured to ensure the essentials of global trade finance have been sufficiently covered."

SEB

"I see the CTFP as a perfect way for any trade finance person to (a) be part of a global community and (b) have a certification that highlights your expertise and automatically puts you at a certain level that is respected in the industry."

Royal Bank of Canada

The course gives you a little advantage with customers to have this level of knowledge and training. I can advise clients correctly and the ICC certificate shows I am up to date.

Logistics Project Director, Canada

Anyone in international logistics should master the Incoterms® rules and this certificate is a must. I got congratulated by the Head of Customs and Transport.

Amin A. Ahmed
Customs/Transport Officer, Saudi Arabia

Frequently asked questions

Who can benefit from our digital trade certifications and courses?

Our certifications and courses benefit those who work with the element of digitisation in their day-to-day work. For shippers and carriers, job functions overseeing trade, strategy, logistics, and digitisation directly will benefit from it. In the fintech and banking sectors, it will be helpful for those overseeing technology, product, and development. Policy makers will also largely benefit from upskilling with our digital trade focused certifications and courses. View all certifications to see all that we offer.

Are there any prerequisites for enrolling in a digital trade focused certification?

Our digital trade certifications support learning at both introductory and advanced levels. Interested learners should be able to read and write in English.

How are the courses delivered, and what is the format?

All our certifications and courses can be completed 100% online, meaning you can access them wherever you are in the world, 24 hours a day. Our alumni come from more than 130 countries and our programmes are based on globally applicable rules and principles.

Are the certifications globally recognised?

Our certifications are also internationally accredited, by organisations like the Bankers Association for Trade and Finance (BAFT) and The London Institute of Banking & Finance (LIBF). As ICC is the institutional representative of millions of companies in more than 170 countries, our certifications and courses draw upon the combined expertise and knowledge of a network unlike any other institution in the world.

What types of resources are available besides certifications and courses?

Apart from our certifications and courses, we also provide comprehensive guides on important digital trade topics around cross-border e-commerce, digital payments, data flows, digital trade facilitation, export import management and more – all authored by our network of ICC experts. Additionally, we also interview leading experts in the field to offer a holistic view of building a career in the field.

Further your digital trade knowledge with ICC certifications.