Services Transport, Operations and Logistics

International Purchasing Functions for Importers Training

SAQA US 252269 | NQF 4 | Credits 7 | Duration 4 Days
From $1,107 per delegate

Description

This course equips learners with the skills to perform international purchasing functions effectively, including sourcing suppliers, negotiating contracts, and managing logistics for imported goods. It focuses on the practical application of procurement principles within the context of South African import regulations and global supply chain best practices.

Learning Outcomes

  • Apply international purchasing procedures to source and select appropriate suppliers.
  • Analyze import documentation and compliance requirements to ensure legal adherence.
  • Evaluate supplier proposals and negotiate terms that align with organizational objectives.
  • Implement logistics and shipping arrangements for efficient international procurement.
  • Demonstrate the ability to manage currency exchange risks and payment terms in cross-border transactions.

Target Audience

This course is designed for procurement officers, supply chain managers, and entrepreneurs involved in importing goods into South Africa. It is also suitable for professionals seeking to enhance their knowledge of international purchasing operations.

Prerequisites

None — open enrollment

Course Outline

Day 1: Foundations of International Purchasing

Objectives:
• Understand the role and scope of international purchasing in the import process
• Identify key documentation and regulatory requirements for importing
• Recognise the impact of Incoterms on purchasing decisions
• Differentiate between various payment methods in international trade
• Appreciate the importance of ethical sourcing and sustainability

Topics:
• Introduction to international purchasing functions
• Overview of the import process and stakeholders
• Key documentation: purchase orders, invoices, bills of lading, certificates of origin
• Regulatory compliance: customs, tariffs, and trade agreements
• Incoterms 2020: classification and application
• Payment methods: letters of credit, documentary collections, open account
• Ethical sourcing and corporate social responsibility
• Case study: basic import transaction walkthrough

Day 2: Supplier Selection and Contract Management

Objectives:
• Apply criteria for evaluating and selecting international suppliers
• Understand contract terms and negotiation strategies
• Manage supplier relationships and performance
• Assess risks in international supplier agreements

Topics:
• Supplier identification and prequalification
• Request for quotation (RFQ) and tender processes
• Evaluation criteria: quality, cost, delivery, and reliability
• Contract types: fixed-price, cost-plus, and framework agreements
• Negotiation techniques for cross-cultural contexts
• Supplier performance metrics and scorecards
• Managing supplier risk: financial, operational, and geopolitical
• Practical exercise: drafting a simple international purchase contract

Day 3: Logistics, Customs, and Risk Management

Objectives:
• Plan international logistics and select appropriate transport modes
• Navigate customs clearance and duties calculation
• Identify and mitigate risks in the supply chain
• Understand insurance and claims processes

Topics:
• Modes of transport: sea, air, road, and multimodal
• Freight forwarding and consolidation
• Customs procedures: documentation, valuation, and classification
• Duties, taxes, and trade preference programs
• Risk identification: delays, damage, theft, and currency fluctuation
• Insurance: marine cargo insurance and liability coverage
• Claims management and dispute resolution
• Practical exercise: completing a customs declaration form

Day 4: Strategic Purchasing and Integration

Objectives:
• Develop a strategic sourcing plan for import operations
• Integrate purchasing with overall supply chain management
• Use technology to enhance purchasing efficiency
• Evaluate performance and drive continuous improvement

Topics:
• Strategic sourcing vs. tactical purchasing
• Total cost of ownership (TCO) analysis
• Category management and supplier segmentation
• Technology in purchasing: ERP systems, e-procurement, and data analytics
• Key performance indicators (KPIs) for purchasing
• Continuous improvement: lean purchasing and sustainability initiatives
• Capstone exercise: developing an international purchasing plan
• Course review and assessment

Practicals

No practicals for this training.

This course is made up of exercises and case studies delivered alongside the theory — no separate practical sessions are required to complete it.

Summatives

Each delegate is assessed continuously throughout the course and a final summative test at the end.

Daily Exercises — 30%

Every training day ends with a multiple-choice exercise scored out of 100%. The scores from each daily exercise are averaged across the duration of the course to produce a Daily Average mark, which contributes 30% to the final total.

Final Test — 70%

On the last day a final summative test is written. It is a multiple-choice paper with multiple-answer questions: each question may have more than one correct option, and a single wrong selection on a question marks the entire question wrong — no partial credit. The final test is scored out of 100% and contributes 70% to the overall mark.

Final Total
Component Out of Weight
Daily Average (multiple choice) 100% 30%
Final Test (multi-answer multiple choice) 100% 70%
Final Total 100%

All marks are recorded on the AATICD LMS and visible to each learner under their account.

Certificate

Certificate of Completion

Awarded to delegates who achieve an overall mark of 50% or higher on the Final Total (Daily Average 30% + Final Test 70%).

How it works
  • Certificates are auto-generated on the AATICD LMS as soon as the marks pass the 50% threshold.
  • Each certificate is a branded PDF with the delegate's name, the course title, the unit standard ID, NQF level, credits, and the date of issue.
  • You can download or print your certificate from your LMS dashboard at any time after issue — there's no reissue fee and no expiry date.
  • If you scored under 50% you can sit the final test again at the next scheduled session at no extra cost.
Where to find it

Sign in to the LMS, open your dashboard, and your certificates appear under My Certificates. Each entry has a View / Download button and a print option.

Training Discounts

Group discounts apply automatically — the more delegates you enrol, the greater the saving. Discounts are calculated at 3% per 5 delegates, scaling up to 40% off for 100+ delegates.

Delegates Discount
5 3% off
10 6% off
15 9% off
20 12% off
25 15% off
30 18% off
50 30% off
75 35% off
100 40% off

3% discount per 5 delegates, up to 40% off for 100+ delegates. Contact us for a custom group quote.

Upcoming Training Sessions
Online training — attend live sessions from anywhere via our virtual classroom.
Start End Delivery Season Price Action
Mon 07 Sep 2026 Thu 10 Sep 2026 Virtual Spring 2026 $1,107 Register
Tue 29 Sep 2026 Fri 02 Oct 2026 Virtual Spring 2026 $1,107 Register
Mon 19 Oct 2026 Thu 22 Oct 2026 Virtual Spring 2026 $1,107 Register
Mon 07 Dec 2026 Thu 10 Dec 2026 Virtual Summer 2026 $1,107 Register
Tue 12 Jan 2027 Fri 15 Jan 2027 Virtual Summer 2026 $1,107 Register
Mon 15 Feb 2027 Thu 18 Feb 2027 Virtual Summer 2026 $1,107 Register
Tue 02 Mar 2027 Fri 05 Mar 2027 Virtual Autumn 2027 $1,107 Register
Mon 08 Mar 2027 Thu 11 Mar 2027 Virtual Autumn 2027 $1,107 Register
Tue 16 Mar 2027 Fri 19 Mar 2027 Virtual Autumn 2027 $1,107 Register
Mon 07 Jun 2027 Thu 10 Jun 2027 Virtual Winter 2027 $1,107 Register
Tue 29 Jun 2027 Fri 02 Jul 2027 Virtual Winter 2027 $1,107 Register
Mon 19 Jul 2027 Thu 22 Jul 2027 Virtual Winter 2027 $1,107 Register
Tue 07 Sep 2027 Fri 10 Sep 2027 Virtual Spring 2027 $1,107 Register
Mon 27 Sep 2027 Thu 30 Sep 2027 Virtual Spring 2027 $1,107 Register
Tue 19 Oct 2027 Fri 22 Oct 2027 Virtual Spring 2027 $1,107 Register
Mon 06 Dec 2027 Thu 09 Dec 2027 Virtual Summer 2027 $1,107 Register
Tue 28 Dec 2027 Fri 31 Dec 2027 Virtual Summer 2027 $1,107 Register
Mon 17 Jan 2028 Thu 20 Jan 2028 Virtual Summer 2027 $1,107 Register
On-Campus training — face-to-face sessions at our training venues across Africa and beyond.
Showing all 492 sessions across 26 venues
Start End Venue Season Price Action
Tue 11 Aug 2026 Fri 14 Aug 2026 Durban, South Africa Winter 2026 $2,581 Register
Tue 11 Aug 2026 Fri 14 Aug 2026 Abu Dhabi, UAE Winter 2026 $4,903 Register
Tue 11 Aug 2026 Fri 14 Aug 2026 Pretoria, South Africa Winter 2026 $1,663 Register
Tue 11 Aug 2026 Fri 14 Aug 2026 Dubai, UAE Winter 2026 $4,903 Register
Tue 11 Aug 2026 Fri 14 Aug 2026 Cape Town, South Africa Winter 2026 $2,743 Register
In-House training — we bring the trainer to your organisation, tailored to your team.
Start End Delivery Season Price Action
Tue 15 Sep 2026 Fri 18 Sep 2026 Your Premises Spring 2026 $1,436 Register
Mon 05 Oct 2026 Thu 08 Oct 2026 Your Premises Spring 2026 $1,436 Register
Tue 27 Oct 2026 Fri 30 Oct 2026 Your Premises Spring 2026 $1,436 Register
Tue 15 Dec 2026 Fri 18 Dec 2026 Your Premises Summer 2026 $1,436 Register
Mon 18 Jan 2027 Thu 21 Jan 2027 Your Premises Summer 2026 $1,436 Register
Tue 23 Feb 2027 Fri 26 Feb 2027 Your Premises Summer 2026 $1,436 Register
Mon 08 Mar 2027 Thu 11 Mar 2027 Your Premises Autumn 2027 $1,436 Register
Tue 16 Mar 2027 Fri 19 Mar 2027 Your Premises Autumn 2027 $1,436 Register
Mon 22 Mar 2027 Thu 25 Mar 2027 Your Premises Autumn 2027 $1,436 Register
Tue 15 Jun 2027 Fri 18 Jun 2027 Your Premises Winter 2027 $1,436 Register
Mon 05 Jul 2027 Thu 08 Jul 2027 Your Premises Winter 2027 $1,436 Register
Tue 27 Jul 2027 Fri 30 Jul 2027 Your Premises Winter 2027 $1,436 Register
Mon 13 Sep 2027 Thu 16 Sep 2027 Your Premises Spring 2027 $1,436 Register
Tue 05 Oct 2027 Fri 08 Oct 2027 Your Premises Spring 2027 $1,436 Register
Mon 25 Oct 2027 Thu 28 Oct 2027 Your Premises Spring 2027 $1,436 Register
Tue 14 Dec 2027 Fri 17 Dec 2027 Your Premises Summer 2027 $1,436 Register
Mon 03 Jan 2028 Thu 06 Jan 2028 Your Premises Summer 2027 $1,436 Register
Tue 25 Jan 2028 Fri 28 Jan 2028 Your Premises Summer 2027 $1,436 Register
Training Discounts
Delegates Discount
5 3% off
10 6% off
15 9% off
20 12% off
25 15% off
30 18% off
50 30% off
75 35% off
100 40% off

3% off per 5 delegates, up to 40% for 100+

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