Investigating Trade Data
This course will cover how to use trade information for investigative reporting, from the theory behind commercial flows to its application to real investigative cases. The first part of the course will focus on the “dictionary” that is crucial to read and interpret trade data. Then, it will explore how to source official customs statistics for free, understand crucial variables in import-export sheets, and find workarounds to expensive third-party commercial providers.
Examples from real investigations will show the power of using trade data in covering topics such as sanctions evasion, the military industry, cocaine trafficking but also much more “ordinary” commercial flows. Throughout the session, participants will be guided in several hands-on exercises to familiarise them with finding and understanding these kind of data.
Technical Requirements
This course will be hosted on Zoom.
Our Zoom account’s default settings have been modified to maximise information security and ensure all training participants’ data protection and privacy. See details of our Zoom infosec settings HERE.
Trainer Biography:
Edoardo Anziano
- 4 February 2026 10.00–12.00 GMT (UK time)
In line with our non-profit mission, our pricing operates on a sliding scale, ensuring large organisations pay more to subsidise places for smaller newsrooms, freelancers and students.
*Students places for this course are capped, due to limited capacity. Anyone registering as a student will be asked for a photo/scan of their student ID ahead of the course.
**Employed individuals who cannot have their employers pay for the course are entitled to the freelancer rate. Note that we are a small charity and rely on your honesty so please do not register as a freelancer if your employer is reimbursing you for the course.
We have a strict policy of No Refund and No Transfer of bookings.