#international-trade
71 episodes
#4226: FCA vs EXW: The LCL Shipping Workflow
Which Incoterm actually works for LCL consolidation from Alibaba? The answer might surprise you.
#4219: Who Really Owns the World's Container Ships?
Ten companies control 85% of global container capacity. Here's who they are and why it matters.
#4209: The Ghost That Owns Your Cargo: Bills of Lading Explained
Two ancient documents control every shipment. Get one field wrong and your cargo sits — costing you $500 a day.
#4206: How to Slash Alibaba Shipping Costs with LCL Consolidation
Stop paying $4,000 for shipping on a $500 Alibaba order. Here's how LCL consolidation and FOB Incoterms fix it.
#4204: FOB vs FCA: The Incoterm Trap Costing Importers
Why FOB persists for container cargo despite the ICC recommending FCA — and how CIF leaves buyers underinsured.
#4203: Your Alibaba Shipment Is Stuck at Customs — Here’s Why
Why letting your supplier handle customs clearance can cost you more than the markup — and how to fix it.
#4202: EXW vs FOB: The Hidden Cost Trap on Alibaba
EXW looks cheap but can cost 85% more. When to use it, when to run, and how FOB saves money.
#4201: What Alibaba's Inspection Actually Covers (and Doesn't)
Alibaba's inspection service costs $200-$500 but offers zero liability. Here's how to actually protect your orders.
#4200: Alibaba DAP vs DDP: Should You Use Your Own Customs Broker?
Why Alibaba's DAP default is a fork in the road — and what it really costs you to let the supplier handle customs.
#4193: How to Source Custom Furniture from China (Without Getting Burned)
A practical guide to the professional process Israeli designers use to save 40-60% on custom furniture from Chinese factories.
#4187: The Cage That Thinks It's a Border
Bonded warehouses aren't always giant portside buildings. Sometimes they're 200-square-foot cages at airports.
#4186: Alibaba’s B2B Engine: The $200B Trade You’ve Never Heard Of
Alibaba.com moves 2-3x more value than AliExpress, quietly becoming global trade’s operating system.
#4177: HS Codes: The Hidden Trap in Global Trade
Why "plastic widget" isn't enough — how HS code classification can make or break your import margins.
#4175: What a Procurement Agent Actually Does for Small Importers
Why Daniel's two pallets of boxes can't be handled by a 3PL — and the service category that fills the gap.
#4174: DAP vs DDP: The Real Cost of Customs Risk
DAP looks cheaper, but hidden fees can erase your savings. Here's what actually changes hands at the border.
#4173: DDP Doesn't Mean Doorstep Delivery
Why your DDP pallet won't arrive at your house — and how fulfillment centers fix it.
#4171: What a $30 Box Teaches Us About Supply Chains
Why a plastic tote costs $0.50 at the factory but $30 at the store — and no one is ripping you off.
#3948: How to Write an RFQ That Actually Works on Alibaba
Most RFQs attract garbage bids. Here's how to write one that filters for the right suppliers.
#3908: Why Napkins and Steel Cost the Same to Ship
Discover why carriers charge by volume, not weight, and how dim weight can triple your shipping costs.
#3648: Amazon's Hidden Fiefdoms: How to Hack Cross-Border Shopping
Amazon isn't one company—it's 20 warring marketplaces. Here's how to exploit that.
#3602: Can You Clear Customs Yourself?
Do you need a customs broker license to clear your own imports? It depends entirely on which country you're in.
#3551: What Happens to Your Stuff After the Moving Van Leaves
The hidden world of container consolidation, freight forwarding, and customs that most international movers never tell you about.
#3492: Importing Furniture from China to Israel: A First-Timer's Guide
How first-time importers can work with freight forwarders, get fair quotes, and avoid getting ripped off.
#3486: How Freight Forwarders Really Work
The quiet backbone of global trade. What freight forwarders actually do, and why they matter.