Institute of Commercial Management | Qualification Subject

International Trade & Transport - Maritime

ICM Professional Diploma Unit

This qualification is being withdrawn, the last available series to sit the assessment for this qualification is December 2024.

Physical Distribution in Perspective

  • Define marketing
  • Domestic versus export markets
  • Marketing research
  • Market selection
  • Bad reasons for exporting
  • Good reasons for exporting
  • Market selection criteria
  • Methods of market research
  • Sources of secondary information
  • The marketing plan
  • Indirect exports
  • Direct sales
  • Selection of distribution channels
  • International physical
  • Distribution

The Export Office

  • The Export Office
  • Organisation charts
  • External organisations

The Export Quotation

  • Forms of export quotation
  • Buyer documents
  • International delivery terms
  • Trade terms

Inland Transport

  • Packing and marketing
  • Packing methods
  • Factors affecting choice of packing
  • Dangerous goods
  • Conclusion

International Transport Modes

  • Freight forwarders
  • The services of the forwarder
  • Sea freight services
  • Charter party
  • Types of sea freight services
  • Road freight
  • Rail freight
  • Air freight
  • Groupage
  • Express operations
  • Selection of transport mode
  • Carrier selection
  • Freight calculation
  • Total distribution cost

International Transport Documentation

  • An overview of export documentation
  • The transport conventions
  • The bill of lading
  • Types of bills of lading
  • Waybills
  • Air waybill
  • Road waybill
  • Rail waybill
  • Sea waybill

International Customs Controls

  • An overview of customs controls
  • Export
  • Import
  • Transit
  • The European Community Union
  • Export procedures
  • SAD summary
  • CHIEF
  • Export declarations summary
  • Why transit controls?
  • Transport internationaux routiers
  • TIR TABAC carnets
  • Community transit system
  • The single market
  • Summary
  • Community imports
  • Import controls
  • Non-tariff barriers
  • The export invoice
  • Customs management

Risk Management

  • Physical risk
  • Credit risk
  • Exchange risk
  • Cargo (marine) insurance
  • Principles of insurance
  • Credit insurance
  • Exchange risk

Methods of Payment

  • Choosing terms and methods of payment
  • Open account
  • Bills of exchange (Drafts)
  • Documentary letter of credit (L/C)
  • Documentary requirements
  • Doctrine of strict compliance
  • Avoiding rejection
  • Types of letters of credit
  • Cash in advance or with order
  • Factors
  • Countertrade

The Future

  • One-run systems
  • Computer systems
  • Electronic Data Interchange (EDI)
  • The single European market
  • Barrier to trade
  • The Channel Tunnel

Other Trading Methods

  • Consignment trading
  • Joint ventures overseas
  • Pick-a-back schemes and group selling
  • Royalty agreements and licensing

Example Candidate Response Booklet

Example Candidate Response (ECR) Booklets are a source of crucial information for Centres and Candidates as they use real candidate responses. We ask Senior Examiners to comment on five or more responses in terms of why the mark was awarded with commentary about how to improve the answer (if necessary).

Recommended Reading

Main Text:

Principles of International Physical Distribution by J Sherlock

Indicative Text:

Alternative Text and Further Reading:

Economic Geography – H Robinson (Pitman)

Understanding the Freight Business – D E Downs (Micor)

Export Practice & Management – Alan Branch (Thomson Business Press)