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Trade finance

Achieve global standards in trade finance with our professional certifications, courses, and content. Authored by industry-leading ICC experts, our trade finance resources support both introductory and advanced learning, all accessible online.
Trade finance

What is trade finance?

Trade finance is a financial service facilitating the real economy, enabling businesses to finance, monetise, risk mitigate and settle trade flows, thus supporting the movement of goods and/or the performance of services regardless of maturity, both internationally and domestically.

Trade finance services allow exporters to get paid and the importers to receive the goods or services with minimal risk.

According to the World Trade Organisation, 80 to 90 per cent of world trade relies on trade finance in some capacity.

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), as the backbone of the global economy, depend on access to banking services in order to expand to new markets, further promoting inclusive economic growth.

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Your business guide to trade finance

Free trade finance resources

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My CTFP Journey | Nafissa Emamdee Elaheebux, Mauritius
13 October 2026

My CTFP Journey | Nafissa Emamdee Elaheebux, Mauritius

Snapshot of our CTFP alumni Name Nafissa Emamdee Elaheebux Job title Manager, Trade Operations Linke...
Trade finance compliance: KYC, sanctions, and financial crime risk
5 October 2026

Trade finance compliance: KYC, sanctions, and financial crime risk

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily refl...
My CTFP Journey | Karupaga Valli Ponnaiah, Malaysia
23 September 2026

My CTFP Journey | Karupaga Valli Ponnaiah, Malaysia

Snapshot of our CTFP alumni Name Karupaga Valli Ponnaiah Job title Assistant Vice President in Trade...

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Trade finance certifications and courses

Image of professionals working on financial charts, and representing the CTFP certification from ICC Academy.
Certification

Certified Trade Finance Professional (CTFP)

Build comprehensive, globally aligned trade finance expertise and increase your credibility across the trade finance ecosystem.

Certified Documentary Credits Expert (CDCE)
Certification

Certified Documentary Credits Expert (CDCE)

Achieve the highest level of ICC-certified competence in documentary credits.

US$1099
Global Trade Certificate (GTC)
Certification

Global Trade Certificate (GTC)

Kick-start your trade finance career with ICC’s foundational trade finance certification. Choose 9 courses from the GTC curriculum to develop a well-rounded skillset.

US$1099
Certificate in Digital Trade Strategy (CDTS)
Certification

Certificate in Digital Trade Strategy (CDTS)

Learn the key aspects of digital trade, including essential macro perspectives and micro-level applications and standards.

US$499
Fast Track
Certified Trade Finance Professional for CDCS & CSDG holders (Core CTFP)
Certification

Certified Trade Finance Professional for CDCS & CSDG holders (Core CTFP)

Use your existing qualifications to access a core version of the CTFP and fast-track your certification at a discounted rate.

US$849
Factoring
Course

Factoring

Learn the fundamentals of factoring, including its types and applications, its operational aspects and how to effectively sell this supply chain finance product.

US$200
International Trade Overview
Course

International Trade Overview

Learn the core practices, procedures and documents required in any international merchandise transaction.

US$150
Documentary Credits Course Bundle
Course Bundle

Documentary Credits Course Bundle

Combine our introductory and advanced documentary credit courses and save USD $50!

US$299
These companies use ICC Academy’s trade finance certifications and courses
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Hear from our alumni

Corporate trade finance professionals walking in a busy central district.
13 October 2026

My CTFP Journey | Nafissa Emamdee Elaheebux, Mauritius

Snapshot of our CTFP alumni Name Nafissa Emamdee Elaheebux Job title Manager, Trade Operations Linke...
A headshot of Karupaga Valli, a recent CTFP alumni.
23 September 2026

My CTFP Journey | Karupaga Valli Ponnaiah, Malaysia

Snapshot of our CTFP alumni Name Karupaga Valli Ponnaiah Job title Assistant Vice President in Trade...
A headshot of Suleiman Marai
14 September 2026

My CTFP Journey | Suleiman Marai, Kenya

Snapshot of our CTFP alumni Name Suleiman Marai Job title Trade Finance professional LinkedIn Suleim...

What our students say

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As a fresher in the industry, I feel the ICC Academy’s Global Trade Certificate (GTC) is very practical and helpful. The lessons are easy to understand and has supported my objectives. Thanks to the ICC Academy, I can now manage to have answers for issues that I have been wondering for a while, and the foundation to achieve more knowledge.

Financial Institutions Officer, Orient Commercial Bank
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The GTC enabled me to crystallize my knowledge and experience in trade finance with a formal certification accredited by ICC. This has helped my employer understand the focus of my career and help me with my pathway to advancement.

Assistant Relationship Manager, Bank of the Cook Islands
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The GTC gave me peace of mind and more confidence when talking to clients. I needed to know how a facility worked – e.g. what documentation was required, what structure we had in place. The GTC really helped me to explain the process and upgrade my understanding. I can now have a full conversation about finance product offerings where previously I wouldn’t have been able to.

Director, Emerald Capital Group
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"When you talk to people, and people see your credentials when you go out for conversations, the CTFP from the ICC certainly helps. They recognise that you know your stuff and understand trade finance. The ICC brings with it its own brand which is very easily recognised."

HSBC
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"I enrolled in the CTFP because this certification is authored by leading trade finance experts from the ICC’s Banking Commission, making it one of the most credible programmes available in the market. Each course is structured to ensure the essentials of global trade finance have been sufficiently covered."

Director, Transaction Banking Services, ANZ, Singapore

Frequently asked questions

What levels of trade finance expertise are covered by your certifications?

We offer both introductory and advanced level trade finance certifications. The Global Trade Certificate (GTC) is an introductory-level programme designed to help build a foundational understanding of global trade finance solutions. For advanced level programmes, we have the Certified Trade Finance Professional (CTFP) and Certified Documentary Credits Expert (CDCE) qualifications. If you’re looking for individual trade finance courses, our catalogue offers that as well.

How are the courses delivered, and what is the format?

All our certifications and courses can be completed 100% online, meaning you can access them wherever you are in the world, 24 hours a day. Our alumni come from more than 130 countries and our programmes are based on globally applicable rules and principles.

Are the certifications globally recognised?

Our certifications are also internationally accredited and often used by banks and corporations to train their staff. They are accredited by the Bankers Association for Trade and Finance (BAFT), The London Institute of Banking & Finance (LIBF), and the Global Trade Professionals Alliance (GTPA). As ICC is the institutional representative of millions of companies in more than 170 countries, our certifications and courses draw upon the combined expertise and knowledge of a network unlike any other institution in the world.

What types of resources are available besides certifications and courses?

Apart from our introductory and advanced level trade finance certifications and courses, we also provide comprehensive guides around popular and important trade finance topics – such as the ISBP, documentary credits, and more – authored by our network of ICC experts. Additionally, we regularly publish career interviews with leading trade finance experts to support your career development in trade finance.

Further your trade finance knowledge with ICC certifications.