Countertrade is a contractual agreement between two or more parties in which a certain amount and quality of goods, services, and/or technology are exchanged for a specific value, with no money transacted. It has been traditionally used by countries with limited access to liquidity, to conduct international business in a form other than simple currency transactions. This form of international trade dates back to antiquity and is still commonly used in a variety of business and economic contexts today.

At its core, countertrade eliminates the need for liquid financial exchange between the two trading parties. Instead, the contract stipulates mutual exchange of goods and services, with the intent of eventually achieving a balance in the trade-off, in which each party has benefited to an equitable degree. This is especially useful in cases where one party is unable to pay a liquid currency, or in cases of embargo.

The major benefit of countertrade lies in its ability to conserve foreign currency. By eliminating the need for liquid currency, this arrangement allows a country to use their existing currency to purchase the goods and services, instead of paying for them in the traditional way. This can be especially helpful for countries with limited access to liquidity, allowing them to conserve their foreign currency for other expenses.

There are some disadvantages to the use of countertrade. The arrangements tend to be highly complex, as the two trading parties must agree on the data, terms and conditions of the exchange. In addition, the logistical requirements for the trade are often rigorous and costly to establish. As most countertrade contracts are conducted over an extended period of time, this logistical infrastructure must remain in place throughout the entire agreement. Finally, due to its complexity, arranging countertrade agreements can be considerably more costly than traditional purchases in the long run.

Overall, countertrade serves as an important tool for nations with limited access to liquidity. Although agreements tend to be complex and costly to arrange, the benefit provided by the conservation of foreign currency can be significant. As such, countertrade remains an important option for countries looking to conduct international business.