Diploma Courses in Kerala: From Learning to Career Opportunities
September 23, 2026
Import Export Course in Kerala
Learn EXIM documentation, customs, Incoterms, freight pricing and trade payments in 2 to 3 months, online or at a campus near you.
An import export course in Kerala teaches you how goods legally and efficiently cross borders: the documents, the customs process, the shipping terms, the payment methods and the costs. Frontline Academy offers short, job-focused EXIM programmes, taught by people from a working logistics group, for graduates, job seekers and people planning to start their own export business.
Frontline’s import-export programmes
| Programme | Duration | What it covers | Ideal for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Certified EXIM Management Professional (CEMP) | 3 months | International trade documentation, customs, shipping, payments and risk management | Aspiring EXIM executives and business owners |
| Certified Export & Import Trade Professional (CEIP) | 2 months | Import-export pricing for sea and air: obtaining and negotiating rates with shipping lines, airlines and agents, choosing routes and the most cost-effective shipping method | Pricing, sales and freight coordination roles |
| Certified Air Freight Professional (CAFP) | 2 months | Export-import procedures, Incoterms, air freight operations and customs clearance (ABE certification) | Air cargo and airline-linked roles |
| Certified Sea Freight Professional (CSFP) | 2 months | Global trade, Incoterms, vessels, containerisation, bills of lading, FCL and LCL, customs clearance (ABE certification) | Shipping line, NVOCC and forwarding roles |
Short programmes are offered online and offline. For a complete one-year route that includes on-the-job training, see the PG Diploma or the International Diploma with Gulf OJT.
Why EXIM skills are in demand in Kerala
- Seafood exports are at a record high. India exported 19.72 lakh tonnes of seafood worth Rs 73,890 crore (US$8.46 billion) in 2025-26, an all-time high according to MPEDA, and Kochi was one of the country’s top three seafood ports.
- Kerala now has a deep-water EXIM gateway. Vizhinjam International Seaport began full export-import operations in August 2026, and the state’s editorial commentary has highlighted seafood, spices and agricultural products as natural export cargo through the port.
- Trade bodies are headquartered here. The Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) and the Spices Board are both based in Kochi, which makes the city a centre of export documentation and compliance work.
- Container volumes are rising. Cochin Port’s Vallarpadam terminal recorded around 22% year-on-year container growth in April to September 2026.
The export process, step by step
This is a simplified view of what an export shipment from Kerala involves. A good EXIM course teaches each step in depth, with real documents.
- Register the business. Obtain an Importer Exporter Code (IEC) from the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT). The IEC is a 10-digit code linked to the business’s PAN.
- Register with the relevant export body. Many products require registration with an export promotion council or commodity board, for example MPEDA for marine products or the Spices Board for spices.
- Agree the sale. Negotiate price, quantity, quality and the Incoterms rule that decides who pays for and bears the risk of each stage of transport.
- Agree payment terms. Common methods are advance payment, letters of credit, documentary collections (D/P or D/A) and open account.
- Book freight. Choose sea or air, compare rates through a freight forwarder and book space with a carrier.
- Prepare documents. Commercial invoice, packing list, certificate of origin where required, and any product-specific certificates.
- Clear customs. A customs broker files the shipping bill electronically through ICEGATE, the cargo is examined if required and “let export” is granted.
- Ship and transfer documents. The carrier issues a bill of lading (sea) or airway bill (air), and documents move to the buyer or bank as agreed.
- Receive payment and close the file. Realise export proceeds and maintain records for compliance and any export incentives.
Imports follow a mirror process with a bill of entry, duty assessment and payment, and release of goods.
Incoterms 2020 at a glance
Incoterms are rules published by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) that define the responsibilities of buyers and sellers. Incoterms 2020 contains 11 rules:
| Rule | Full name | Used for |
|---|---|---|
| EXW | Ex Works | Any mode |
| FCA | Free Carrier | Any mode |
| CPT | Carriage Paid To | Any mode |
| CIP | Carriage and Insurance Paid To | Any mode |
| DAP | Delivered at Place | Any mode |
| DPU | Delivered at Place Unloaded | Any mode |
| DDP | Delivered Duty Paid | Any mode |
| FAS | Free Alongside Ship | Sea and inland waterway |
| FOB | Free on Board | Sea and inland waterway |
| CFR | Cost and Freight | Sea and inland waterway |
| CIF | Cost, Insurance and Freight | Sea and inland waterway |
Jobs you can apply for after an import export course
- Export-import (EXIM) executive
- Export documentation executive
- Customs clearance executive (with a customs broker)
- Freight forwarding or pricing executive
- Shipping line or NVOCC customer service executive
- Purchase and import coordinator in a manufacturing or trading company
- Export sales coordinator for seafood, spice, coir or cashew exporters
For salary ranges and where these roles are concentrated, read Logistics Jobs in Kerala.
Starting your own export business?
Many Kerala families already have a product: spices from a farm, a small seafood processing unit, handicrafts or coir. An EXIM course helps you avoid the most expensive beginner mistakes, such as quoting the wrong Incoterm, missing a certificate the buyer’s customs requires, or underestimating freight and port charges. Short programmes like CEMP are built for exactly this.
Talk to a counsellor at your nearest campus
Get the current intake dates, fee structure and an eligibility check for your profile before you decide. Counselling is available in English and Malayalam.
Frequently asked questions
What is the duration of an import export course?
At Frontline Academy, the CEMP programme runs for 3 months and the CEIP, CAFP and CSFP programmes run for 2 months each. Longer one-year programmes include import-export training plus on-the-job experience.
Who can join an import export course?
Graduates, job seekers, working professionals and entrepreneurs. Counsellors can advise which programme fits your background.
Is the course available online?
Yes. The short specialisation programmes are offered online and offline.
Do I need an IEC to join the course?
No. You only need an IEC when your business actually imports or exports. The course teaches you how to apply for and use one.
What is the difference between a freight forwarder and a customs broker?
A freight forwarder arranges the movement of cargo, booking space with carriers and coordinating transport. A customs broker is licensed to file customs documents and clear goods. Many companies offer both services.
Will I get a certificate?
Yes. The air freight and sea freight programmes carry ABE certification, and other programmes carry Frontline Academy certification. Ask a counsellor for the current certification details for each course.
Sources
- MPEDA press release: India’s seafood exports 2025-26
- Vizhinjam’s grand journey (Kerala Kaumudi editorial)
- Vizhinjam port activates full-scale EXIM operations (Container News)
- Cochin Port tops major ports with 22% container growth (India Shipping News)
- Directorate General of Foreign Trade (IEC information)
- ICC Incoterms rules