Certificate Course for Export and Customs Specialist (IHK) - online

A sound understanding of customs procedures is essential in cross-border trade, particularly in an increasingly dynamic global political landscape. As there are no training opportunities in the field of customs and foreign trade outside the customs authorities, you will acquire the necessary skills and knowledge through further training.
On the ‘Certificate Course for Export and Customs Specialist (IHK)’, you will gain fundamental and practical knowledge of customs and foreign trade law. You will learn about the classification of goods, Incoterms® and terms of payment. You will also cover the specific aspects of intra-Community trade, customs procedures and export documentation, the origin of goods and trade preferences, as well as the fundamentals of export controls.

The certificate course is run in cooperation with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Stuttgart Region (IHK).

To obtain the certificate, you must take part in the final assessment. The final assessment is optional. Once you have attended at least 80 % of the sessions, you will receive a certificate of attendance. This entitles you to take part in the final assessment.
The final assessment is a two-stage process comprising a written paper and an oral exam. In the written paper, you will apply various specialist perspectives covered in the course to a fictional practical case study. You will have three weeks to complete the written assignment, which should be approximately five to seven pages in length (DIN A4).
This is followed by an oral exam of approximately 30 minutes. During this, you will discuss your approach to the project and the course content. In this way, you will demonstrate that you have acquired the necessary knowledge.
You must pass both parts of the final assessment separately.
On the last day of the certificate course, we will provide you with a detailed overview of the final assessment and the requirements.

Please note: The final assessment and the digital seminar materials are already included in the course fee.

Content:
Participants gain fundamental, practice-oriented knowledge of complex import/export processes and foreign trade relations. This enables them to expand their expertise and know-how.

Basics of foreign trade
• Basic terms
• Distinction between EU and third countries
• Reporting obligations for the EU and third countries – basics
• Overview of customs procedures
• Applying for an EORI number
• Classification of goods in the customs tariff (HS Code)
• International delivery conditions
Value Added Tax and Customs Clearance
• Value Added Tax
• Customs border clearance
• Classification of goods in the customs tariff – supplementary information
Origin of goods and preferences
• Types of origin
• Commercial origin and certificates of origin
• Preferential agreements and the use of tariff preferences
• Determining preferential origin
• Supplier declarations
• Operational design to ensure origin
• Overview of international payment terms
• Transport order
• ATA/CPD Carnet and alternatives to the Carnet
Practical processing of export documents (commercial invoice, packing list, EUR 1, certificate of origin, etc.)
• ATLAS, customs declarations and foreign trade law
• ATLAS and IAA+
• Verbal customs declaration, approved exporter
• Export control
• Dual-use goods
• Lists of goods and licences
• Summary of the course
• Case study and practical exercises

Seminar period: 04. until 06. October and 11. until 13. October 2027 (a total of 6 course days)

After participating in this seminar, you will be able to:
• distinguish between EU and third countries and identify basic reporting obligations.
• classify goods in the customs tariff (HS Code) and apply international delivery conditions.
• determine commercial and preferential origin and assess the use of tariff preferences.
• prepare and process key export documents and customs declarations.
• identify basic export control requirements for dual-use goods and licences.

Basic knowledge is required. This is demonstrated, for example, by at least six months’ relevant professional experience.