Learn more about the academic programs we are delivering in Winter 2025. If you have any questions about part-time studies, please contact us.

 

 

Overview

This six-course program will provide students with a foundation in supply chain and international trade. Topics in the core courses include customs and border procedures, documentation requirements for import and export transactions, and methods of international trade financing. A range of specialized international business and supply chain elective courses are included to complement the knowledge gained in this program.

Entry Requirements

These programs deal with complex terms and industry specific vocabulary. It is the student's responsibility to ensure that they have the appropriate English skills prior to enrolling. We recommend that all students complete COM101 or equivalent prior to beginning International Business courses.

Filter Classes: In Class     Online     Correspondence     Hybrid     Availability   

Part-time Studies courses are being offered in either of the following four formats: Online, Flexible, In-person, Hybrid. Click Availability below to see current offerings.

Curriculum

INB345
International Transportation
Availability
 

Prerequisite(s):

None.

The physical movement of goods across national boundaries will be the major focus of this course. Students will learn how to determine the cost of moving cargo by various modes and routes of transportation, how to incorporate the cost into the export quotation and/or the import costing. The topic of supply chain management is introduced. The student will learn how to deal with trucking companies, railway companies, ocean carriers, airlines, freight forwarders and agents.

 




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INB365
Transborder Procedures
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This course introduces students to practical hands-on knowledge of various tariff reliefs. Emphasis will be placed on North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) rules of origin determinations as well as United States of America (USA), Canadian and Mexican government requirements for import clearances classified by sector and country of origin.




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INB445
Freight Forwarding for Supply Chain Management
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Understanding how buyers and sellers manage risk with a variety of international payments and cargo insurance, the knowledge of commercial documents and their completion, export packaging, cargo security, dangerous goods and alternative transport solutions enable students to properly cost and quote on a shipment.




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IBS981
International Trade Finance
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This course centres on the strategies and knowledge required for successful international trade transactions. The success and timeliness of these transactions impact an organization's bottom line and are more likely when the organization has knowledge of payment options, risk mitigation strategies, contracts and effective cash flow management, as well as techniques and plans to manage disputes should they arise.




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INB455
Advanced Cargo Freight Services
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Moving beyond the ordinary, Advanced Cargo Freight Services course explores the subjects of project cargo and air and ocean chartering. Extensive portion is devoted to customs and regulatory compliance leading students to the topic of transportation law and legal liability, including CIFFA's Standard Trading Conditions.




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INB465
International Logistics, Sales and Marketing
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This course in logistics, sales & marketing in supply chain management concepts includes discussions on technology, the increasingly important green logistics as well as basic concepts of sales and marketing.




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Program Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the Import and Export Business Certificate program participants will:

  1. Understand and use techniques involved in professional selling specifically for the import and export business sectors.
  2. Gain research skills related to the field of international trade.
  3. Develop strategic marketing plans for market entry, and price goods from/to foreign markets.
  4. Identify and investigate the funding for exports/imports available from government agencies.
  5. Identify and examine the sources and techniques for private sector financing of foreign trade.
  6. Understand the use of, and accurately complete various export and import documentation reports.
  7. Understand the importance of marine insurance and the method of handling damaged or lost cargo claims.
  8. Identify the importance and reason for using intermediate agencies like freight forwarders and customs brokers.
  9. Understand the various terms of sale and the different methods of payment used in international trade.
  10. Evaluate Canada's strengths and weaknesses in international trade and identify the changes Canadian businesses must make in order to be internationally competitive.

Credit for Prior Learning

Prior Learning Assessment

Earn college credits for what you already know.
Prior Learning Assessment is a method of assessing and recognizing learning that is equal to college level learning, but has been gained outside a traditional classroom (through work experience, volunteering, outside study, etc.). If you can prove that the knowledge you have gained meets the outcomes of a Seneca course, then credit will be awarded.

How does the PLA process work?
Prior Learning is demonstrated through a "challenge" process. The process measures learning through a variety of methods which may include tests, portfolio assessment, interviews, demonstrations, essays, and work samples. The method used will be determined in consultation with a Program Coordinator.
For more information and to determine if you are eligible for PLA, please call the Program Coordinator.

The process may take from 6 to 8 weeks.

Note: Not all courses can be challenged. For more information go to PLA website or contact your Program Coordinator.

Transfer Credit

Many students who enter Seneca Polytechnic will have earned academic credits in postsecondary educational institutions which they may be able to apply toward completion of a Seneca Polytechnic program.

Requests for Transfer Credit must be for a specific course and must be accompanied by an official transcript and course outline. A minimum grade of "C" (60 percent) is generally required for a course to be considered for Transfer Credit.

Download a Transfer Credit Request form. An official copy of your transcript and applicable detailed course outlines should be attached and submitted. Please note it may take 4 to 6 weeks for a Transfer Credit decision.

More Information

Please visit the Office of the Registrar.

Graduation/Convocation

When you meet all program requirements and become eligible for a certificate, diploma, or degree, you must inform the Registrar by completing a Graduation Application form and paying the graduation and alumni fee. Certificates, diplomas, and applied degrees are issued twice a year in the Fall (October), Spring (June) and Winter (February).

For further information including deadlines and fees, please visit the Convocation website or contact the Convocation Office at theservicehub@senecapolytechnic.ca.

Minimum Performance for Graduation

A student will be eligible to graduate from a certificate, diploma, advanced diploma or graduate certificate program if they have achieved a minimum graduating GPA of 2.0.

A student will be eligible to graduate from a degree program if they have achieved a minimum graduating GPA of 2.5, which includes a minimum GPA of 2.5 in the courses in their main field of study and a minimum GPA of 2.0 in breadth courses.

Faculty Profiles

Hamid Shirazi, MBA, BSc

Hamid is an Economic Development Professional with the Ontario Government. Since 2008, he has held a number of managerial and senior advisory roles to enable the growth of Ontario's key industry sectors, Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) attraction, and job creation. Prior to that, Hamid was engaged in different aspects of international business and export development while working at an international medical device company (Tehran - Iran), The U.S. Foreign Commercial Service (Toronto), Toronto Export Development Initiative (Toronto), and Swedish Trade Council (Toronto).

Hamid's educational background includes an MBA with a specialization in international business, a graduate diploma in international business, and a Bachelor of Science in medical technology. He is currently pursuing his doctorate in business administration.

Hamid has been teaching global market entry and distribution, global marketing, international trade management, and international trade finance at Seneca since 2014.

 

Emiliano Introcaso, MBA, CITP, P.Log., CCI

Emiliano has more than two decades of experience working with manufacturers and exporters looking to increase their global growth by providing them with support and guidance in all things export.

His strategy not only focuses on navigating companies through the complexities of global supply chains, but also in the small details that can make or break an international trade transaction. Emiliano is an International Business Advisor at Export Development Canada (EDC), a Certified International Trade Professional (CITP) with the Forum For International Trade Training (FITT), holds the Professional Logistician (PLOG) designation from the Logistics Institute, is an International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) Registered Trainer on Incoterms® 2020 and a Certified Instructor (CCI) with the Canadian International Freight Forwarding Association (CIFFA). Emiliano completed a Master of Business Administration (Global Leadership stream) at the University of Fredericton.

Student Testimonial

Yadanand Singh
Import and Export Analyst, Celestica

"With the help of my Seneca education, I was able to advance my career from a Buyer/Planner to an Import and Export Analyst. The instructors within the Import and Export Business and International Trade Specialist programs were very knowledgeable. Their first-hand experience in the import/export and trade industries gave students a more in-depth and practical insight into the field. I gained an understanding of many concepts and processes relevant in this industry, including the fundamentals and foundations for duties and GST troubleshooting. After two and a half years, I graduated with certificates in both the Import Export Business and International Trade Specialist programs. I feel very fortunate that I was able to take advantage of the flexibility of Seneca Part-time Studies' courses, which allowed me to schedule my time effectively to enroll in both programs and upgrade my skills."

Nishanth Sivakantha
Student of the International Transportation and Customs Program

"Seneca Part-time Studies provided me with the opportunity to meet colleagues who work in the import and export business and work with instructors who are knowledgeable and professional. The most rewarding aspect of this program was that it provided more practical work and allowed me to gain hands-on experience relevant to the import and export industry. Enrolling in the Import and Export Business certificate program at Seneca has helped me develop the skills to pursue a career as a corporate customs lawyer and gave me the knowledge to further my education with Seneca's full-time International Transportation and Customs diploma."

Program Contacts

Note: If you are a current/former Seneca student: include your student number and program enrolled in your communications.


Alice (Xiaolai) Yu, CCS
Part-Time Senior Support Services Officer
Xiaolai.Yu@senecapolytechnic.ca