Right in the Middle of Things: A Behind-the-Scenes Look

CUSTOMS & TRADE PROFESSIONAL TRAINING PROGRAM

Advancing through hands-on continuing education in foreign trade

As professionals in export, import, and customs, we also share our knowledge through vocational training. Our subject matter experts are active across Switzerland in seminars, diploma programs, or directly in higher vocational education.

Thanks to solid training in adult education (federal diploma or equivalent), our professionals’ didactic methods and competencies are ensured at the highest level. So that the lessons are guaranteed to be an experience with “AHA” moments.

In collaboration with our cooperation partners, we have carefully put together a continuing education program to ensure that you:

• gain professional confidence and

• can immediately apply what you have learned in practice.

During the training, you will be guided through the jungle of international business transactions in a highly practical manner by lawyers, recognized practitioners, experienced supply chain experts, and former employees of the Federal Customs Administration — with plenty of room for specific questions.

Cooperation Partners

Key Values

• Less self-study – more guided learning with high interaction and in-depth expert exchange during classes

• The program broadly covers professional challenges. Real-life scenarios are explored at live locations. Learning becomes truly enjoyable.

• Nationally recognized school diploma with dual signature (Swiss Shippers Council SSC and Zollschule.ch)

• Personal, individual coaching

Target Audience

Aspiring Customs & Trade Professionals ideally already have initial operational experience in handling exports/imports and wish to deepen their expertise. The program is also frequently attended by (specialist and management) professionals with degrees in procurement, sales, business administration, logistics, freight forwarding, supply chain management, finance or similar fields, who want to better understand the cross-departmental connections and export-related requirements to support strategic development.

The program does not focus on any particular industry and broadly addresses professional challenges. Examples from numerous industries are used throughout.

In addition, the program emphasizes personal coaching, personal development for assertiveness in customs matters, as well as three extra practice days to deepen relevant competencies and address further foreign trade topics.

Scope, Teaching Concept and Objectives

The program consists of 13 modules (including three practical days) and an additional exam day, where the acquired knowledge is reviewed in a practical context. The course comprises a total of 105 lessons. Classes are held on weekdays, one day per week with occasional breaks to process the material. You typically complete the program within 3 months.

Objective is to strengthen competencies for daily business activities—whether through intensive expert exchange, numerous practical examples or targeted practice days. In addition to professional skills, personal, social, and methodological (soft) skills are also trained.

Personal Mentoring

Education is a personal mission for us and is pursued with great dedication. The program is accompanied by a certified mentor. As a sparring partner and foreign trade expert, she is available for personal subject-related questions and supports participants in linking learned content to practical application.

Course Modules

The learning objectives of the Customs and Trade Professional program include understanding customs and trade processes, utilizing free trade agreements, complying with compliance regulations, and securely applying import/export processes:

• Contract law in foreign trade, Incoterms 2020 and transport law

• Customs law, operational customs handling import/export

• Saving duties through the use of free trade agreements

• Export control of dual-use goods, sanctions, embargoes

• Customs tariffing and customs duties

• EU customs clearance, EU VAT and Swiss VAT

• Market development and intercultural communication

• Supply Chain Management

• Transport law and transport processing

• Export financing, bank guarantees, letters of credit

• Practice Day I: Import and export processes – visit to a freight forwarder

• Practice Day II: International framework – visit to WTO/UNO

• Practice Day III: Exam review and development of professional/personal competencies

Target Group

The course is aimed at professionals who want to independently manage and optimize customs and trade processes. The target group mainly includes employees from purchasing, logistics, and foreign trade departments.

Didactic Concept

With us, you don’t just learn about customs—you’re guided by education professionals who are not only subject-matter experts but also certified trainers. The program applies the ARIVA model, guiding participants through theory blocks, practical application, reflection, and interactive learning phases. The blend of theory and practice ensures direct transfer into everyday work life.

• Modular Structure: Topics are taught in modules, allowing for flexible adjustments

• Practical Relevance: Strong integration of real-life examples and exercises, including on-site insights

• Experience Orientation: Participants’ professional experiences are central, with learning via reflection and peer exchange

• Action Orientation: Realistic tasks ensure practical application of knowledge

• Cooperative Learning: Group work, field visits, and discussions make learning collaborative and deepen retention

• Reflection: Reflection phases help derive strategic actions from professional experiences

• ARIVA Model: Activation of prior knowledge, individual and cooperative learning, reflection on learning process, real-world application

• Cognitive Apprenticeship: Support through modeling, guidance, and coaching to promote independent action

Completion and Certification

The course ends with a voluntary diploma exam. After completing all modules and passing the final exam, participants receive the “Customs and Trade Professional” diploma awarded by Zollschule.ch and the Swiss Shippers Council.

What can Customs & Trade Professionals do after completing the course?

Customs & Trade Professionals…

• understand the impact of free trade agreements on Swiss exporters and draw conclusions for their own company’s balance sheet

• are capable of creating conditions for tax exemption in exports and implementing these operationally

• form their own opinions on global trade and current cross-border trade challenges and justify them in a nuanced way

• can assign appropriate customs procedures for various business cases in import/export

• determine, analyze, and explain Incoterms based on business processes and assign them purposefully

• understand and describe the necessary compliance steps for export control of dual-use goods, sanctions, and embargoes using a representative example

• apply their expertise to determine the origin of goods through practical case studies

• assess and consider the significance of customs tariff numbers and customs duties in a global context, using the global situation of their representative export company

• articulate opportunities and risks in export activities of a representative company

Costs

• Members of SSC (Swiss Shippers Council) and the Foreign Trade Community of Douana: CHF 3,950

• Non-members: CHF 4,350

Upon request, the member price is also granted to private self-payers (no employer contribution). Most employers cover a large portion of the cost and/or time, as a company-specific guideline is developed during the course. RAV funding may be granted upon request.

The price includes comprehensive course materials and personal support, excluding the diploma exam. The diploma exam costs CHF 600. Our services are exempt from VAT as educational services.

Dates

The next course starts in March 2026. The schedule and factsheet are available for download soon.

Do you have questions or need support for your education application to your employer?

Join one of our information sessions via Zoom or Teams. We take the time to address your individual questions to help you choose the right program and distinguish it from other advanced education options. We look forward to seeing you!