The term "countertrade" refers to international trade that combines the obligations of exporters to importers, in which exporters have to purchase goods from importers for the part of the products they export.

UN exporters use a terminology known as international compensation contracts to describe counter contracts. In international compensation agreements, there is an agreement between companies of different countries concerning specific actions by one party and compensation in a particular manner in a certain amount for the other party.

Countertrade is a way to provide the consumers, subsidiaries, and even governments with an alternative to the typical method of trade. It is a system where goods and services can be exchanged for an agreed-upon set of goods and services instead of the typical monetary exchange.

Countertrade is an international trade practice where goods and services are exchanged for other goods and services instead of cash. This method is often used in situations where currency exchange is difficult, countries face foreign exchange shortages, or to facilitate trade between countries with different economic systems. There are several forms of countertrade, including barter (direct exchange of goods), counter-purchase (reciprocal buying agreements), and offset (a seller agrees to offset the purchase by buying goods from the buyer's country). Countertrade can also include buyback arrangements where a seller agrees to accept products manufactured by the equipment it sold. While countertrade can help countries bypass currency restrictions and trade barriers, it can also be complex and less efficient than traditional trade methods.