International trade internships in Asia and beyond
Shipping documents, suppliers and market research for trading companies.
Overview
What the internship is about
Trade interns work with import and export companies, sourcing agents, trading houses and freight forwarders. You prepare invoices, packing lists and certificates of origin, contact suppliers and buyers about orders and dates, track containers and compare costs for different routes and Incoterms. Many hosts buy in one Asian country and sell in another, so you see how trade agreements and customs rules change the numbers.
The week follows the orders: quotes, confirmations, shipping documents, then tracking until the goods arrive. Singapore and Hong Kong are our strongest destinations, followed by Malaysia and Thailand.
Why do it
What you'll get out of it
See how global events, demand and trade rules affect what companies buy and sell across borders. You learn to read the news the way a trader does.
Research new markets and help plan how products are launched and distributed abroad. You learn the questions that decide market entry: demand, rules, partners and price.
Learn how customs rules and trade agreements work, and how companies keep cross-border shipments compliant. One wrong code can hold a container for weeks, so you learn to check every detail.
Your role
Research markets, competitors and trade data to find new opportunities for import or export.
Map supply chains and look for ways to cut costs and delays in logistics.
Help prepare invoices, shipping documents and contracts, and support negotiations with suppliers and clients.
Where to go
This is where we have the most host companies in this field, but you can do it in any of our destinations. See all destinations
Where you can do this
Prices
How much it costs
FAQ
Your questions, answered
What will I do on an international trade internship?
You'll help move goods between countries. Tasks can include preparing shipping and customs documents, talking to suppliers, tracking orders and researching new markets.
Do I need experience to get an international trade internship?
No. Business, economics and supply chain students fit well. Being organized and detail-oriented helps.
What skills and tools will I use?
Mostly Excel and the company's order or ERP system. You'll learn how customs, shipping and exchange rates affect a business.
Where can I do an international trade internship?
Popular destinations for international trade internships include Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia and Vietnam. Tell us where you'd like to go and we'll check what's possible.
Can I get university credit for my internship?
Yes, if your university accepts it: we provide the documents it needs (internship agreement, placement confirmation, supervisor evaluation and a host certificate of completion). Your university decides whether to give credit, and how much.
How much does it cost, and is it paid?
Programs start from $2,050 for 6 weeks on Explorer, depending on where you go. Most internships are unpaid.
In depth
- Prepare shipping and customs documents.
- Contact suppliers and buyers about orders, prices and dates.
- Track orders and shipments, and keep the team updated.
- Research new markets and possible partners.
- Compare costs, including shipping and exchange rates.
- Keep order records up to date in Excel or the company's ERP system.
- How customs, shipping and exchange rates affect a business.
- Excel and order management or ERP systems.
- Writing clear emails to suppliers and buyers in other countries.
- Researching a market and presenting what you find.
- Keeping track of many orders and deadlines at once.
- Working across cultures, often with partners in several countries.
- Singapore: international trade is among our strongest fields.
- Hong Kong: international trade is among our strongest fields there, alongside finance and real estate.
- Malaysia: supply chain is among our strongest fields, and daily life costs much less than in Singapore.
- Thailand: supply chain is among our strongest fields, and our team is based in Bangkok.
- Indonesia: supply chain is among our strongest fields there.
- Vietnam: our best-value destination, with placements in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.
Intern stories
Hear it from our interns
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Applications open all year
Your field, somewhere new.
It's free to apply, and you only pay a deposit once you're accepted.