HELPING BUSINESS CONNECT THROUGH TRADE SHOWS • TRADE MISSIONS • SPECIAL EVENTS • CUSTOM DISPLAYS
The standard for more than 70 years and updated for 2012, this is the complete reference on how to establish and grow overseas markets for your products and services. The 250-page guide is free online and covers topics such as:
A Guide to Foreign Exhibiting (PDF)
Written by our founder with more than 50 years of exporting experience, this quick, clear and realistic overview explains what you can expect from start to finish.
The Trade Information Center is staffed by export professionals capable of advising you on all aspects of the export process. Contact them if you need assistance with export documentation, U.S. and foreign market regulations, trade complaints, market research and more. Individual assistance invited via phone 800-USA-TRADE (800-872-8723) or email.
The promotional arm of the International Trade
Administration—the U.S. Commercial Service—shows you what you need to connect with lucrative business
opportunities. They’ll help to
develop trade finance and insurance strategies that align with your business
objectives and help you complete your export transaction.
Includes:
Designated locations throughout the U.S. where companies can use special procedures that help encourage U.S. activity and value added by allowing delayed or reduced duty payments on foreign merchandise, as well as other savings.
Search international trade events:
Trade Fair Certification
Your U.S. Department of Commerce assurance that an event’s
organizer has agreed to maintain a list of high-quality
standards
A step-by-step guide
to international market research, as well as access to the U.S. Commercial
Service Market Research Library, which contains more than 100,000 industry and country-specific market reports.
U.S. Government International Financing Programs
Central resource,
including:
STEP (State Trade and Export Promotion) Grants
A 3-year pilot trade and export initiative (announced in 2010) funded by federal grants and matching funds from the states, to help increase the number of small businesses that are exporting and to raise the value of exports for those currently exporting.
The official export credit agency of the United States assumes credit and country risks that the private sector is unable or unwilling to accept. The organization helps to level the playing field for U.S. exporters by matching the financing that other governments provide to their exporters. Ex-Im Bank provides working capital guarantees (pre-export financing); export credit insurance; and loan guarantees and direct loans (buyer financing).
U.S. Commercial Service Advocacy Center
The center coordinates U.S. Government resources and authority.
Services range from U.S. Embassy and Consulate assistance to Sub-Cabinet
and Cabinet messages delivered through a variety of media (e.g., letters, phone
calls, or face-to-face meetings).
The Advocacy Center
also works with Ex-Im Bank, the Trade and Development Agency and the Overseas
Private Investment Corporation to marshal USG financial support, where
appropriate, to relevant and qualified U.S. companies
See how you, as an exporter, can both finance your export activities and mitigate the risk of non-payment. Information on policies that can help you offer credit to your international buyers and access working capital funds.
U.S. Customs Trade Information
The agency facilitates legitimate trade while enforcing U.S. trade laws that protect the economy, the health and the safety of the American people through close partnerships with the trade community, other government agencies and foreign governments. All essential links are here.
Incoterms® 2010 (International Chamber of Commerce)
Accurately and easily complete key shipping information, comply with the law and take advantage of
the duty-free benefits of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).
U.S. Export Assistance Centers or State
Each U.S. Export Assistance Center is staffed by
professionals from the Small Business Administration, the U.S. Department of
Commerce, the U.S. Export-Import Bank, and other public and private
organizations. Together, their mission
is to provide the help you need to
compete in today’s global marketplace.
Contact your local trade specialist; professionals who
provide counseling and a variety of products and services to assist small and
midsized U.S. businesses export their products and services.
The U.S. Commercial Service is the trade promotion arm of
the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration. U.S. Commercial Service trade professionals
in 100+ U.S. cities and in more than 75 countries help U.S. companies get started in exporting or increase sales to new global markets.
The Trade Promotion Coordinating Committee (TPCC)
Comprises 20 federal agencies, chaired by the Secretary of
Commerce, that work together to coordinate and
streamline trade promotion and financing services. The TPCC
develops and implements a government-wide
strategic plan for Federal trade promotion efforts, and submits the annual
National Export Strategy report to Congress.
U.S. Government Partner Exporting Agencies
National Export Initiative
Announced April 20, 2010, the NEI is President Barack Obama’s multi-year effort to increase U.S. jobs by
increasing the number of companies exporting and expanding the number of
markets current U.S. companies sell to. Watch video on Youtube.
The American Chambers of Commerce Abroad (AMCHAMs)
The organization advances the interests of American business overseas. They are voluntary
associations of American companies and individuals doing business in a
particular country, as well as firms and individuals of that country who
operate in the United States.
World Trade Centers
Members receive
trade Information, market research, international trade courses, worldwide business
services (such as temporary office facilities and translations) and club
privileges for themselves and their guests.
Industry and Trade Associations
Some industry and trade associations can supply valuable
information on market demand for products/services outside the U.S. Some will also refer members to export
management companies.
BLOGS
Tradeology Blog
The blog of the ITA. Searchable blogs in nearly 40 categories from Chile to the Paris Air Show to Green and Sustainable.
U.S. Census Bureau Foreign Trade Division blog
Searchable: discuss the Foreign Trade Regulations, Export
Filing (AES), Trade Data, and other trade related topics. Posts are current and relevant to filers, exporters, data users, or “curious blog readers”.
E-MAILED UPDATES
Choose from nearly two dozen topics, from exporting announcements, news, specific industry updates to NEI information.
International Business Information on the Web - Directory of useful
sites
The Internationalist - Business info by
country
Export Yellow Pages
The Economist - Insight and opinionon
international news, politics, business, finance, science and technology.