(CITP) Requirements
Certified International Trade Professional® – Knowledge Requirements: The following topics are defined as within this body of knowledge and are reflected in the knowledge assessment requirements stated for this certification. A person holding this certification will have satisfactorily passed an examination that demonstrates a high degree of knowledge of these topics and knowledge requirements.
Industry Standard: (1) Demonstrate basic knowledge and usage of international trade principles, concepts and processes. (2) Demonstrate in-depth knowledge in the specialty areas of international:
| Topic | Knowledge Demonstrated |
| International Trade Terminology | To understand the terminology and usage of terminology used in the import/export of goods and services, including Incoterms® 2010 |
| International Trade Documentation | To demonstrate an understanding of the documents used in import/export and their usage. To understand the documentation needs of general goods being imported or exported. |
| Expansion of the firm to international markets | To know how to determine if a firm should expand their effort to include import/export markets. |
| Analysis of product import/export potential | To be capable of analyzing the import/export potential of a product or service. |
| International Market Research | To understand the mechanics of primary market research: to be able to build a market survey instrument for import/export use. To know how to use secondary market research to make import/export decisions. |
| Establishing pricing for international markets | To possess a basic knowledge of the principles of setting a product’s price in a foreign market. |
| International Finance Tools | Be capable of using the various financial tools, including letters of credit and other forms of payment and credit terms, used in international trade. |
| International Distribution | Be able to assess and utilize all elements of the international distribution environment as needed to facilitate international trade. |
| International Business Resources | Possess basic knowledge about the various organizations and other sources available to assist individuals and organizations in their efforts to import/export goods and services. |
| Specialized International Marketing Topics | Knowledge Demonstrated |
| General Marketing Concepts |
To understand the purpose and mechanics of marketing and how marketing as a discipline fits into the organization’s strategic planning process. To know the terms, concepts and practices used in modern business as they relate to global marketing. To know the differences between international marketing and domestic marketing. |
| Marketing Research | To understand the fundamentals of marketing research. To be able to design a research strategy and be able to construct a marketing survey instrument for use in the global environment. |
| Environmental Analysis in the Global Village | To be able to analyze the forces that shape a firm’s marketing strategy. To know how country culture impacts marketing decisions. |
| Assessing Global Market Opportunities: Determining Marketing Potential |
To have knowledge of how to analyze a company’s marketing potential with a focus toward global opportunities. to be able to determine if a product has potential in a specific foreign market. |
| Global Market Strategies |
To know the various global market strategies that can be used to meet market needs. |
| Monitoring and Control | To know how to establish marketing objectives, measure results (monitoring marketing activities) and control activities. |
| Global Marketing 4 P’s | To know how to determine the price, place, product and promotion for a product or service for international markets. |
| Marketing Mix decisions in a global economy |
To know how to develop a complete marketing plan, including marketing research instrument (survey), marketing mix decisions, marketing strategies and implementation strategies. |
| Additional Specialized International Marketing Topic – Culture | Knowledge Demonstrated |
| The Core Concept of Culture |
To understand the roots of culture. |
| The Individual and Group Dynamics of Culture | To know the dynamics of individual and group culture. |
| The Impact of Culture on International Business |
To understand the concept of culture and its impact on international trade. |
| Globalization and Culture | To know various major cultural differences around the world and how they influence global marketing. |
| Cultural factors and Values impacting Global Trade |
To understand the impact of globalization on the concept of culture. |
| Cultural Specifics – Cultural Divide |
To be able to identify the cultural elements that are most likely to impact trade. |
| Managing Cross-Culture Effectiveness |
To be able to analyze the cultural forces that shape a firm’s marketing strategy. |
Specialized Documentation Topics |
Knowledge Demonstrated |
| Common documentation problems
|
To have understand the most common documentation problems and ways to avoid them. |
| Various forms used in international trade
|
To understand the usage of the most common forms used in international trade, including:
|
| Global Import Duty/Tariff Schedules
|
To understand the importance of correct documentation information and its possible impact on the valuation of shipments between countries |
| General NAFTA & EU Regulations
|
To know the general guidelines set forth in these two treaties and their impact on the documentation process
|
| Livestock Export & Import regulations
|
To be able to correctly document the shipment of livestock to meet the most common country requirement |
| Major Import and Export Trade restrictions around the world
|
To know the major trade restrictions existing in the world today |
| Shipment Marking
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To know the way to insure that the marking on a shipment |
| Special Certificate requirements
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To understand and know the use of most often used Special Certificates now in use in international trade |
| United Nations – Green Earth Initiative
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To understand the impact of the Green Earth Initiative on the documentation requirement of international trade |
| GATT Threaty
|
To be familiar with the GATT Treaty and how it applies to international trade
|
| World Trade Organization (WTO)
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To understand the framework of the WTO and to appreciate the agreements that the members of the WTO ratified |
| Documentation dispute resolution alternatives
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To have a working understanding of the various dispute resolution alternatives that exist when errors in documentation occur
|
| Computerized Documentation
|
To assess the advantages and disadvantages of computerized documentation software |
| Specialized International Logistics Topics | Knowledge Demonstrated |
| Air Freight as a Mode of Shipment | To possess a working knowledge of Air Bills and the practical issues surrounding Air Freight as a means of transport. |
| Ocean Freight Practices | To gain and understanding of how ocean transportation works |
| Intermodal Shipments | Possess a working knowledge of intermodal transportation for international freight. |
| Understanding Logistics Documentation | To know the shipping documentation form & forms processing requirements common to all countries. |
| Critical Regulations Effecting International Trade | To know the source of regulations relevant to shipping goods internationally. |
| International Distribution Logistics: Supply Chain Management | Be able to interact with all elements of the international distribution environment. |
| Insurance Issues Surrounding International Trade | To understand the insurance sources & considerations related to shipping goods internationally. Regulations affecting ocean freight liabilities. How go place a shipping claim for damage or loss. |
| Incoterms and Other Logistics Terminology | To posses a complete working knowledge of Incoterms and other important international trade terminology as it relates to logistics. |
| Managing Intermodal Shipments | Be knowledgeable about the process of using intermodal containers and shipping. |
| Determining Packaging and Crating requirements for International Trade. |
To know the packaging/crating requirements for goods shipped internationally. To understand the uses and importance of labeling |
| Critical Issues About Warehousing – Customs Bonded Warehouses and Free Trade Zones |
Posses a working knowledge of Bonded Customs Warehouses and free trade Zones. To possess a working knowledge of automation. |
| Logistics Monitoring & Control | To understand the current state-of-the-art processes and technology available to monitor and control the international trade logistics process. |
| Specialized International Finance Topics | Knowledge Demonstrated |
| Global Finance and its Environment |
Analyze the relationship of the finance professional and the other parties involved in international trade. Understand the international monetary system. |
| Management of Global Investment and Operations |
To know foreign direct investment (FDI) concerns’ impact on international trade. To understand the decisions behind long-term capital budgeting in the global marketplace. To be able to analyze the intricacies of conducting business in foreign operations from the perspective of a finance specialist. To know the major financial documentation requirements commonly used when conducting international trade. |
| Global Banks and Financial Markets | To be able to define the role banks serve in the international marketplace. To know the operational issues global banks must resolve in order to complete a transaction. To know the various international financial markets. To be able to assess the major financing alternatives open to companies conducting international trade. |
| Global Finance Risk Factors and Risk Management |
To know the risk factors surrounding the financing of international trade. To be able to explain the implications of international currency exchange rates and their impact on international business transactions. To be able to perform the analysis of the various methods of risk management in global trade, such as hedging techniques to choose an appropriate alternative. |
| Short-Term Capital Management Issues |
To be able to quantifiably analyze all forms of payment used in international trade. To be able to examine the different payment methods used in international business, including the advantages and disadvantages of each method. To understand the implications of global accounting procedures. To know the diversity in global accounting procedures and their roots. To be able to summarize the significant influences of taxation on foreign operations. |
| Contemporary Issues in Global Finance |
To be able to analyze the current impact of e-commerce on the traditional financing alternatives and new tools used. To be able to discuss the future direction of global finance and its impact on the global marketplace. To know the impact of FTA and EU regulations on financing global transactions within those trading blocs. |