#international-trade
86 episodes
#4591: The Tea, Bananas, and Shipping Containers of ISO
Why does an international standard specify the exact angle of a banana's curve? We explore the surprisingly sensible logic behind the world's stran...
#4518: Pallet Wars: What Importers Lose in the Gap
How pallet mismatches between Asia, Europe, and North America cost importers time and money.
#4517: How to Turn Around a Shipping Container Without Getting Burned
The clock starts at discharge. Avoid surprise detention bills by understanding the return process.
#4479: What Actually Happens at a Trade Fair?
The hidden economics of why small businesses still travel the world to shake hands with their suppliers.
#4416: W-8BEN Traps for Spouses of US Citizens
What the W-8BEN form actually does, when it becomes invalid, and how marriage to a US citizen creates hidden IRS pitfalls.
#4357: Incoterms 2020: The Full Walkthrough
All 11 Incoterms 2020 explained — who pays, who risks, and when the skeleton of global trade breaks.
#4356: Eurobox Logistics: From Shenzhen to Your Living Room
How to ship custom Euroboxes from China to Israel without paying for a full container.
#4351: The Wholesale Price of Trust: LIBOR's Rise and Fall
Why banks borrow from each other overnight, how LIBOR became a fiction, and what SOFR means for global finance.
#4309: Where Does Your Money Go During Those Three Days?
Your money doesn't move during a transfer. It's just ledger edits waiting for trust. Here's why.
#4298: Does Every Country Trade With Every Other?
Ireland's new settlement goods ban reveals a surprising truth about how we measure — and miss — global trade.
#4266: How to Read a Freight Quote Without Getting Burned
Your $2,200 freight quote just turned into $3,800. Here’s how to spot the hidden fees before you pay.
#4265: Who Actually Handles AliExpress Customs?
What happens when a customs broker emails you about your AliExpress order? Here's how it really works.
#4264: EXW vs FOB: Real Costs and Hidden Fees for China Imports
Which incoterm saves you money? The answer depends on factory location, supplier capability, and hidden fees.
#4255: When Your Sofa Crosses a Border
Moving your own stuff across borders? There's no global treaty for that — and customs can tax your used sofa like new.
#4238: How Incoterms Keep Global Trade From Falling Apart
Why a 1936 trade standard still governs global shipping — and where it's starting to break.
#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.