Picture yourself standing in your company's strategy room, passionately outlining plans to take your products global. Your team's eyes sparkle with excitement at the boundless opportunities ahead. But as you delve deeper into international trade details, you find yourself lost in a labyrinth of customs terminology, complex regulations, and cumbersome procedures that threaten to derail your ambitions.
This scenario is familiar to many business leaders who discover that global expansion brings daunting challenges. The good news? Specialists like Ryan Tanner, with over 15 years of international trade experience, serve as expert navigators through this complex terrain.
The Making of a Trade Expert
Tanner's career trajectory exemplifies the dedication required to master international commerce. Beginning in 2004 as an entry-level documentation clerk at a small customs brokerage, he immersed himself in the fundamentals of import/export operations. Through years of hands-on experience across various functions and commodities, Tanner developed comprehensive expertise in customs regulations, operations management, and trade compliance.
His professional development included leadership roles at the Atlanta International Freight Forwarders and Brokers Association and national-level contributions to export compliance committees. This combination of practical experience and industry engagement established Tanner as both a technical authority and trusted advisor.
Mastering the Export Specialty
In 2021, Tanner pursued advanced certification as a Master Export Specialist (MES) through the National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America - an achievement held by fewer than 40 professionals nationwide. This rigorous program, comparable to a graduate-level degree, required extensive coursework in export compliance, logistics, trade agreements, and international contracts.
"Export is simply import in reverse - but with different acronyms," Tanner observes, highlighting his rare dual expertise in both import and export operations. While most trade professionals specialize in one direction, Tanner's comprehensive understanding of the entire trade ecosystem provides unique value to businesses.
The Growing Importance of Export Expertise
With U.S. goods exports reaching a record $1.8 trillion last year, export operations represent a critical growth engine, particularly for small and medium businesses that comprise 98% of American exporters. Tanner notes that while exports receive less attention than imports, they offer significant advantages:
"With 96% of the world's population and two-thirds of global purchasing power outside U.S. borders, international markets present tremendous opportunities for American businesses to expand their customer base and increase profitability."
Research shows export-focused companies grow faster and have 8.5% lower failure rates than domestic-only businesses. However, navigating export requirements - which vary by product, destination, and regulatory changes - requires specialized knowledge to avoid costly mistakes.
Overcoming Trade Complexity
International trade presents a steep learning curve with its specialized terminology, classification systems (HS codes, NAICS codes), shipping terms (Incoterms like CIF, FOB), and constantly evolving regulations. Key challenges include:
- Determining proper product classifications and origin rules
- Understanding customs valuation methods
- Complying with export control requirements
- Managing international logistics and documentation
For companies lacking internal trade expertise, specialists like Tanner provide essential guidance to develop compliant, efficient export programs. His combination of operational experience and advanced certifications enables him to translate complex regulations into practical business solutions.
As global trade continues evolving, businesses seeking international growth will increasingly rely on such experts to navigate regulatory complexity while capitalizing on overseas opportunities. The combination of specialized knowledge and practical experience remains the most valuable currency in international commerce.