Your Global Trade Knowledgebase

Guides, How-to’s, Downloads and Resources to help you
succeed in Global Trade.

Ben Thompson

Expertise ImporterExporterTrading ExpertDigital MarketingBlogging

Highlights

  • Experienced founders that have successfully founded International Trading Companies.
  • Over 14+ years of Global Trade experience, buying and selling products all over the world.
  • Developed innovative cloud software solutions to streamline global trade documentation for Small and Medium Businesses worldwide.

Created the Global Trade Newsletter, to inform and educate over 150K+ subscribers to help them succeed in global trade

About Ben Thompson

Ben is passionate about International Trade, Import/Export, International Shipping and connecting world markets. For the last 14 years Ben has specialized in importing and exporting goods around the world, and creating content and software solutions to help small and medium sized businesses to become successful in global trade.

After facing the many challenges of running their own trading company, in 2016 Ben Thompson and Brandon Boor founded IncoDocs, a new cloud based software tool to help importers and exporters to streamline their global trade documentation. In 2019 IncoDocs secured investment from global shipping line giant Maersk, as they shared their vision to digitize global supply chain processes. Since then Ben and Brandon have grown IncoDocs to provide solutions to companies in over 120 countries.

Additionally, the IncoDocs team continues to provide detailed industry articles, videos, podcasts, guides and tools to help companies thrive in global trade. The IncoDocs YouTube channel has gained over 20K+ subscribers, and had over 1 Million video views.  The team are consistently providing useful content to help importers and exporters solve their problems along the supply chain.

Ben and Brandon also created the Global Trade Newsletter, which continues to provides news, resources and helpful content to over 150k+ subscribers.

The IncoDocs team are passionate about global trade and understand the complexities of the global supply chain and continue to create content and solutions to streamline the import export process and drive the future of global trade.

Posts by Ben Thompson

  • The Import Export Shipping Trade Guide Online

    Last updated on September 29, 2018 by Ben Thompson

    If you’re an existing or new importer, exporter or trading company wanting to learn about an import export course online, download the Global Trade Guide.

  • Incoterms® Explained – The Complete Guide

    Last updated on September 15, 2018 by Ben Thompson
    Incoterms 2010 chart

    Incoterms® play such a vital part in global trade. Incoterms® 2010 or Incoterms® 2018 can seem to be confusing at first. But, buyers and sellers must clearly understand how they work and their obligations along the supply chain. In this article we provide simple explanations along with an Incoterms® infographic to explain Incoterms®.

  • Understand shipping container sizes & specifications and shipping methods

    Last updated on September 13, 2018 by Ben Thompson

    There are 4 modes of transport along the International Supply Chain. Goods can be transported via Sea, Air, Road or Rail. Multiple modes of transport will most likely be used for 1 single shipment to get products delivered to International locations.

  • Learn the Export Documentation required for the Import / Export process.

    Last updated on September 12, 2018 by Ben Thompson

    Export documentation is essential to get products shipped along the import export supply chain. There are many important sales and shipping documents that must be used.

  • 5 Tips For Better Sourcing Suppliers from Alibaba

    Last updated on September 10, 2018 by Ben Thompson

    Sourcing suppliers from online marketplaces like Alibaba can be a quick and cheap option for your business. However, you must know what to look for and what to avoid. 

  • Create and Download a Commercial Invoice template for Export

    Last updated on September 7, 2018 by Ben Thompson

    First, a Commercial Invoice document is an important trade document used in Global Trade. When products ship internationally, the shipper will have to provide the buyer with a Commercial Invoice document. The buyer (importer) will use this invoice and other shipping documents to get the products cleared through customs in the country of import. In…

  • How to Create and Download a Packing List for Export Shipments

    Last updated on September 6, 2018 by Ben Thompson

    What is an Export Packing List Document? An export packing list is a detailed document that states all of the product and packaging details contained in each shipment.  Shippers must create a compliant packing list document to share to freight forwarders, shipping lines, importers and other parties along the supply chain.  In this article we…

  • How to create Proforma Invoice and Purchase Order Documents for Export

    Last updated on September 5, 2018 by Ben Thompson
    Template of a Proforma Invoice and Purchase Order document

    First, a Proforma Invoice document is an important document that the seller of goods creates and shares to their buyer. When the buyer and seller have communicated the details of the products they want to order, the seller will create a Proforma Invoice document to to confirm the new order.

  • Create and Download a Shipper’s Letters of Instruction Document

    Last updated on September 4, 2018 by Ben Thompson

    A Shipper’s Letter of Instruction (SLI) is an essential legal document/contract created between the shipper and the freight forwarder (or 3rd party) that is organizing the export of a shipment. It is a detailed document used in International trade that provides logistics instructions relating the the export of a shipment.

  • Create and Download a Quotation Document for Export Shipments

    Last updated on September 3, 2018 by Ben Thompson

    When Importers source new products and connect with Exporters, the exporter will offer their product details and pricing information. The Exporter must ensure that all information is clearly stated in a correctly formatted Quotation document. This will ensure that there are no disputes relating to product quality, specifications, pricing and delivery terms.

Global Trade Guide

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Glossary of Shipping Terms

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The Import Export Shipping Trade Guide Online

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Export Manager's Guide to Remote Working

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Download a Proforma Invoice Template PDF

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Unit Load Device ULD Air Container Specifications

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