The foreign trade specialist is active in the export of goods. As an expert in foreign trade, a sound knowledge of international forwarding, customs and VAT law, international marketing, foreign trade financing and international law is required.

Foreign trade specialists (formerly known as export specialists) can work as specialists or generalists in companies that export or import. In administration, they can work in order processing, internal sales, export sales, shipping, distribution logistics, supply chain management or dispatch. In addition, the processing of documents at internationally active banks, where bank guarantees, documentary collections or letters of credit are issued, is a possible area of responsibility. Insurance, tax and customs issues, export risk guarantees and exchange rate hedging are also areas of training. An export specialist can work in forwarding companies, logistics companies and transport insurance companies. The export specialist is able to recognize the risks and opportunities of international trade, speaks several languages and can adapt to the different customs of international customers and negotiate accordingly. The international market is known and the potential of target markets abroad can be recognized on the basis of sound marketing knowledge.

The export specialist is also familiar with Switzerland's foreign trade and its framework conditions for international trade. He clarifies legal issues relating to sales law and jurisdiction, laying the foundations for the proper conclusion and smooth processing of contracts with customers from abroad. The export specialist is used to extensive clarifications in sales processing with regard to taxes, customs duties and insurance, and he promotes the company's sales with his specialist knowledge.

On the large education portal Ausbildung-Weiterbildung.ch you will find various providers of foreign trade courses for export specialists.