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Ben Thompson

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

  • Top 10 Product Categories China Exports (2023):

    Last updated on November 8, 2024 by Ben Thompson
    China Exports

    China’s export strength fuels global industries, with top markets like the US and Japan. Major sectors include technology, automotive, and textiles. In 2023, China’s trade reached $3,380 billion, underscoring its growing influence in international markets.

  • How to Safely Unload a Shipping Container Efficiently

    Last updated on November 6, 2024 by Ben Thompson
    unloading shipping containers

    Unloading containers is a crucial step in the shipping process. Shipping containers arrive and need to be carefully unloaded so that the products can be used or onsold into the market. It may seem like a straightforward process, however many steps should be taken to ensure that the goods are unloaded safely and efficiently without…

  • Shipping from China to USA: Costs and Delivery Options

    Last updated on November 4, 2024 by Ben Thompson
    shipping from China to US

    Many companies ship goods from China to the US because of the low prices and variety of products available. Platforms like Alibaba and Made-in-China make it simple to find suppliers and compare options. With careful planning, businesses can secure quality products while keeping costs under control. Shipping from China to the US can come with…

  • What China Imports

    Last updated on November 1, 2024 by Ben Thompson

    China’s imports are essential to fueling its economy, highlighting its reliance on materials and products from around the world. In this post, we’ll break down China’s main imports and the key countries that play major roles in its trade. Top 10 Product Categories China Imports (2023): Total trade worth of the top 10 commodities: $1,648…

  • How to reduce shipping costs when importing from China

    Last updated on October 31, 2024 by Ben Thompson
    Reduce shipping costs when importing from China

    Importers often struggle to keep shipping costs low when importing from China. Rising expenses can squeeze profits and reduce competitiveness. Without a clear plan, small costs quickly add up, cutting into profit margins. Every choice counts, from shipping methods to choosing the right partners. This article covers practical strategies to reduce shipping costs. You'll learn…

  • What are Shipping Container Numbers?

    Last updated on October 21, 2024 by Ben Thompson
    Shipping Container Numbers

    Shipping containers are key in global trade. They help move vast amounts of cargo across oceans daily. More than 80% of the world’s goods are transported by sea, with containers handling the majority. There are millions of containers in circulation today, each identified by a unique number. These numbers tell you who owns the container…

  • Protectionism in Global Trade

    Last updated on October 18, 2024 by Ben Thompson
    Protectionism in trade

    Protectionism is a term often associated with international trade, and it's a critical topic because of its impact on how countries interact economically. Governments sometimes adopt protectionist policies to shield their domestic industries from foreign competition. These policies can significantly affect a nation's economy, influencing prices, job availability, and the overall trade landscape. In this…

  • Container Seal Numbers Explained: Security and Compliance

    Last updated on October 16, 2024 by Ben Thompson

    During the global supply chain process, container seals and their unique container seal numbers are used to ensure the integrity of a shipment, and to identify if a container has been tampered with during transit. Container seals are placed onto shipping containers before shipment, and should remain intact until the container reaches it’s final destination.…

  • What is Comparative Advantage?

    Last updated on October 14, 2024 by Ben Thompson
    Comparative Advantage

    Comparative advantage is a concept in economics. It explains how some countries can produce goods and services at a lower cost than others. This cost is measured by what is given up to make the product. Even if one country is better at making everything, it can still benefit by focusing on what it does…

  • General Rate Increases (GRI) in Shipping

    Last updated on October 12, 2024 by Ben Thompson
    general rate increase explained

    A General Rate Increase (GRI) is when shipping companies raise base rates due to rising costs like fuel and labor. It affects importers and exporters, making shipping more expensive. Businesses can reduce the impact by tracking GRI announcements, negotiating contracts, and adjusting shipment volumes.

  • Top 10 Product Categories China Exports (2023):

    Last updated on November 8, 2024 by Ben Thompson
    China Exports

    China’s export strength fuels global industries, with top markets like the US and Japan. Major sectors include technology, automotive, and textiles. In 2023, China’s trade reached $3,380 billion, underscoring its growing influence in international markets. Read More »

  • How to Safely Unload a Shipping Container Efficiently

    Last updated on November 6, 2024 by Ben Thompson
    unloading shipping containers

    Unloading containers is a crucial step in the shipping process. Shipping containers arrive and need to be carefully unloaded so that the products can be used or onsold into the market. It may seem like a straightforward process, however many steps should be taken to ensure that the goods are unloaded safely and efficiently without causing any damage or problems. Read More »

  • Shipping from China to USA: Costs and Delivery Options

    Last updated on November 4, 2024 by Ben Thompson
    shipping from China to US

    Many companies ship goods from China to the US because of the low prices and variety of products available. Platforms like Alibaba and Made-in-China make it simple to find suppliers and compare options. With careful planning, businesses can secure quality products while keeping costs under control. Shipping from China to the US can come with […] Read More »

  • What China Imports

    Last updated on November 1, 2024 by Ben Thompson

    China’s imports are essential to fueling its economy, highlighting its reliance on materials and products from around the world. In this post, we’ll break down China’s main imports and the key countries that play major roles in its trade. Top 10 Product Categories China Imports (2023): Total trade worth of the top 10 commodities: $1,648 […] Read More »

  • How to reduce shipping costs when importing from China

    Last updated on October 31, 2024 by Ben Thompson
    Reduce shipping costs when importing from China

    Importers often struggle to keep shipping costs low when importing from China. Rising expenses can squeeze profits and reduce competitiveness. Without a clear plan, small costs quickly add up, cutting into profit margins. Every choice counts, from shipping methods to choosing the right partners. This article covers practical strategies to reduce shipping costs. You’ll learn […] Read More »

  • What are Shipping Container Numbers?

    Last updated on October 21, 2024 by Ben Thompson
    Shipping Container Numbers

    Shipping containers are key in global trade. They help move vast amounts of cargo across oceans daily. More than 80% of the world’s goods are transported by sea, with containers handling the majority. There are millions of containers in circulation today, each identified by a unique number. These numbers tell you who owns the container […] Read More »

  • Protectionism in Global Trade

    Last updated on October 18, 2024 by Ben Thompson
    Protectionism in trade

    Protectionism is a term often associated with international trade, and it’s a critical topic because of its impact on how countries interact economically. Governments sometimes adopt protectionist policies to shield their domestic industries from foreign competition. These policies can significantly affect a nation’s economy, influencing prices, job availability, and the overall trade landscape. In this […] Read More »

  • Container Seal Numbers Explained: Security and Compliance

    Last updated on October 16, 2024 by Ben Thompson

    During the global supply chain process, container seals and their unique container seal numbers are used to ensure the integrity of a shipment, and to identify if a container has been tampered with during transit. Container seals are placed onto shipping containers before shipment, and should remain intact until the container reaches it’s final destination. In international trade, container seals are essential for both security and compliance with customs regulations. They provide shippers, customs authorities, and consignees with peace of mind that the goods have not been tampered with while in transit. Read More »

  • What is Comparative Advantage?

    Last updated on October 14, 2024 by Ben Thompson
    Comparative Advantage

    Comparative advantage is a concept in economics. It explains how some countries can produce goods and services at a lower cost than others. This cost is measured by what is given up to make the product. Even if one country is better at making everything, it can still benefit by focusing on what it does […] Read More »

  • General Rate Increases (GRI) in Shipping

    Last updated on October 12, 2024 by Ben Thompson
    general rate increase explained

    A General Rate Increase (GRI) is when shipping companies raise base rates due to rising costs like fuel and labor. It affects importers and exporters, making shipping more expensive. Businesses can reduce the impact by tracking GRI announcements, negotiating contracts, and adjusting shipment volumes. Read More »

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