Global Trade, Delivered with Precision
International trade creates access to new customers, suppliers, capabilities and price points. It also introduces tariffs, customs procedures, product standards, logistics risk, currency exposure and longer cash cycles.
UN Trade and Development reported that global trade expanded by approximately **4% quarter on quarter in the first quarter of 2026**, with goods trade rising by 4.8% and services by 1.6% (UN Trade and Development, 2026). The opportunity is significant, but growth in trade does not remove the need for careful market selection and operational control.
Before entering a new market, a business should validate:
– customer demand and local competition;
– product and labelling requirements;
– tariff classification and customs obligations;
– Incoterms and responsibility for risk;
– supplier due diligence;
– insurance and logistics arrangements;
– payment terms and credit risk;
– currency exposure;
– landed cost and target margin; and
– sanctions, export controls and other applicable regulations.
A successful trade strategy links market demand to compliance, supply-chain capability and cash flow.
**What to measure:** landed cost, on-time delivery, customs delays, order accuracy, export margin, stock days and payment collection.
